If you follow the NBA or Jayson Tatum closely, there’s a good chance by now you’ve heard the name Drew Hanlen. Drew has become one of the most well-renowned personal trainers for basketball players. An NBA Skills Coach and bestselling author, Hanlen has become famous for his work with players like Tatum, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and many others.
He works with players individually and in groups, but not with teams, and has built quite a following. He’s not shy about speaking his mind or appearing in the public eye either, and has offered some fascinating behind-the-scenes intel in the past.
Over the All-Star break, Hanlen appeared on the Kevin O’Connor Show, talking in-depth about several of his clients and talking about a number of general basketball and NBA topics throughout the hour-plus interview.
Hanlen toed the company line when it comes to Tatum, parrotting everything we’ve heard about a potential recovery. In short, everything is going well, but he has no idea about any possible return date.
But what Hanlen said that was interesting was that, when talking about Chris Paul’s legacy, he explained how much is out of a player’s control and referenced the teams built around them. He brought up the example of the 76ers having the opportunity to draft Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in back-to-back years, but instead choosing Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz.
Hanlen begged the 76ers to draft Jayson Tatum
The point was supposed to be about Embiid never having the proper supporting cast around him during his prime, but as Hanlen recounted the events, he said he begged the Sixers to draft Tatum.
“The Sixers had back-to-back drafts where they could have drafted Jayson Tatum - who I BEGGED them to draft - and then Jaylen Brown.”
While this would have been amazing for the 76ers, Joel Embiid, and Drew Hanlen, this would have been an absolute nightmare for the Celtics.
If Philly took JB in 2016, one of Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram would have fallen to Boston, but neither one has come close to the career of Brown. The next three picks were Dragan Bender, Kris Dunn, and Buddy Hield, a complete bust and two role players. Not great.
As for the following year, when Hanlen begged Philly to take Tatum, that would have meant Fultz or Lonzo Ball slipping to the Cs. Josh Jackson, a bust, was the next selection, with De’Aaron Fox, Jonathan Isaac, and Lauri Markkanen rounding out the top 7.
There’s some decent talent in there, but even if you assume the best possible outcomes for the Cs, that probably would have meant that instead of enjoying the last 8 years with the Jays, we would have been left cheering for a team led by De’Aaron Fox and Brandon Ingram. Thanks, but no thanks. Appreciate what we have! And most of all, thank you to the 76ers for NOT listening to Drew Hanlen. That is all.