Mick Unplugged
Rick Barry | Rick Barry's Sports Journey: From Professional Basketball to Pickleball Championships
Mon, 11 Nov 2024
Welcome back to another exciting episode of "Mick Unplugged." I'm your host, Mick Hunt, and today, we have a true sports legend joining us—none other than Rick Barry. In this episode, we dive deep into Rick's storied basketball career and his transition to success in pickleball, where he's clinched numerous national championships. We explore his unique take on game fundamentals, including his famous underhand free throw technique, and his candid critique of modern NBA play. Rick shares nostalgic tales, like his missed 1964 Olympic opportunity, and opens up about his joy and pride in his sons' basketball careers, with special mention of Canyon Barry's impact on the 3x3 basketball scene. We also venture beyond the court as Rick discusses his new passion for pickleball, his entrepreneurial ventures like founding Pickle Zone, and his dedication to promoting health and wellness products. Plus, get insights into his lifelong love for fly fishing, his upcoming engagements in Australia and New Zealand, and his wishes for unity and progress in our country. It's a conversation filled with wisdom, nostalgia, and inspiration. So, stay tuned as we unplug with the one and only Rick Barry!Takeaways: · NBA teams should consider underhand free throw technique. · Competing in pickleball and winning national championships · Disappointment over not making the 1964 Olympic team Questions & Answers: 1. Question:Mick Hunt: Rick, you've been a vocal advocate for the underhand free-throw technique. Why do you think it's not more widely adopted in today's NBA, even though it has a proven high success rate? Rick Barry: Mick, it boils down to ego and aesthetics. Players don't want to be seen as 'unconventional' or 'old-fashioned.' Despite its effectiveness, the underhand technique has a stigma. My success rate with it was over 92%, which proves its value. It's a missed opportunity for many players today. 2. Question: Mick Hunt: You've mentioned that modern NBA players often lack deep understanding of game fundamentals. What specific fundamentals do you see as being most neglected? Rick Barry: players today often overlook positioning, screening, and teamwork dynamics. Natural talent is great, but without mastering these basics, it’s hard to reach full potential. A strong foundation in fundamentals is crucial for long-term success in the game. 3. Question: Mick Hunt: Let's talk about officiating. You've criticized the leniency towards moving screens and carrying violations today. How do you think stricter officiating could impact the game? Rick Barry: Better officiating would enforce proper gameplay, improving the quality and fairness of basketball. Uncalled violations allow bad habits to persist, making games sloppier. Stricter calls might slow the game initially but would elevate overall play and skill levels in the long run. Connect and Discover Instagram: Instagram.com/rick24barry Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php? id=100008984350886&ref=xav_ig_profile_web Website: PlayersforGood.com X: @Rick24Barry Book: Confessions of a Basketball Gypsy Product Website - use discount code rb24 gokinesiologysleeves.com aloemd.com medicileaf.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Chapter 1: What is Rick Barry's biggest disappointment in his career?
That's my biggest disappointment. I tried out for the Olympics in 64.
Totally agree. They don't talk about the IQ.
It's not IQ. It's just the knowledge. You didn't have the high IQ. It's a matter of studying it and learning it and understanding it. Ball man relationships, screening off the boards, learning how to put yourself in the right position to help your men to become a screener.
When did you determine that I do this, and for those that are listening, not watching, underhand, I have a higher percentage of making that versus the traditional.
I wish I'd been smart enough when I started in the pros to change the technique. I changed my technique late in my career.
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Chapter 2: Why do modern NBA players neglect game fundamentals?
Welcome to Mick Unplugged, where we ignite potential and fuel purpose. Get ready for raw insights, bold moves, and game-changing conversations. Buckle up. Here's Mick.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an exciting episode of Mick Unplugged, and today we have a first. You can't tell the story of basketball. without talking about my very special guest today. Tons of accolades, which we're gonna get into. Fearless player, unorthodox style, and that style has become an icon. All that's great, but today, he's changing the game of pickleball.
We're gonna talk about pickleball too. Golf, environmental advocacy, and health. We're talking to the Miami Greyhound, my legend, Mr. Rick Berry.
Rick, how are you doing today, brother? I'm doing just great. If I was doing any better, I'd be making a comeback in the NBA.
Oh, we can make that happen. I've seen the game, Rick. I don't know. You could probably still put up 10 and 10.
I'm trying to. I've been trying for decades to get him to put the designated free throw shooter rule in, but they're not going for that.
So, Rick, one, I'm honored. Two, I mean that when I say this. You can't tell the story of basketball without mentioning Rick Barry. I mean, you know, top 50 NBA player of all times. They redid it to 75, and you're in the top 75. My personal opinion, if they had a top 10, you're in the top 10 as well. You mean that much to the game of basketball.
Has that ever really set in that, like, you can't tell the story of basketball without Rick Barry?
Well, you know, I don't think about it that way. I mean, I was just lucky enough to have a father who was a semi-pro player and coach who taught me the game the way the game is meant to be played. I had a great fundamental understanding of the game. And I think that's a critical thing in all you do in You can't build a tall skyscraper. That's redundant because the skyscraper is tall, obviously.
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Chapter 3: What is the effectiveness of the underhand free throw technique?
Chapter 4: How can better officiating improve basketball games?
When did you determine that I do this, and for those that are listening, not watching, underhand, I have a higher percentage of making that versus the traditional.
I wish I'd been smart enough when I started in the pros to change the technique. I changed my technique late in my career.
Welcome to Mick Unplugged, where we ignite potential and fuel purpose. Get ready for raw insights, bold moves, and game-changing conversations. Buckle up. Here's Mick.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an exciting episode of Mick Unplugged, and today we have a first. You can't tell the story of basketball. without talking about my very special guest today. Tons of accolades, which we're gonna get into. Fearless player, unorthodox style, and that style has become an icon. All that's great, but today, he's changing the game of pickleball.
We're gonna talk about pickleball too. Golf, environmental advocacy, and health. We're talking to the Miami Greyhound, my legend, Mr. Rick Berry.
Rick, how are you doing today, brother? I'm doing just great. If I was doing any better, I'd be making a comeback in the NBA.
Oh, we can make that happen. I've seen the game, Rick. I don't know. You could probably still put up 10 and 10.
I'm trying to. I've been trying for decades to get him to put the designated free throw shooter rule in, but they're not going for that.
So, Rick, one, I'm honored. Two, I mean that when I say this. You can't tell the story of basketball without mentioning Rick Barry. I mean, you know, top 50 NBA player of all times. They redid it to 75, and you're in the top 75. My personal opinion, if they had a top 10, you're in the top 10 as well. You mean that much to the game of basketball.
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Chapter 5: What are Rick Barry's thoughts on the current state of the NBA?
I didn't want to do it. My father was a semi-pro player and coach did it that way. Back in those days, they shot two hands, set shots and two hands underhand. And so thank God he was relentless about it. I only did it to get him off my, he was driving me nuts. So I said, okay, let's do this. So I did it the summer before either my junior or senior year in high school. I remember which one it was.
I was a 70 something percent shooter. And I, When I started to do it, I gave it a sincere effort, really worked at it. And I said, wow, this is really good. I mean, I'm comfortable. I'm relaxed. I mean, everything you do is up here. You're guarding. You're playing your arms up here. I'm relaxed. My arms, I'm standing in a natural position. I have two hands to control the fly of the ball.
It's been proven by, again, physicists that the softer shot, there's less moving parts. It's the most efficient way to do it. And so I said, yeah, this is great. And so I shot over 80%. I'm just getting better. And then I was smart enough. I wish I'd been smart enough. enough when I started in the pros to change the technique. I changed my technique late in my career.
And that's why I always admire Tiger Woods. He's the best freaking golfer in the world. He changed his swing twice wide to get better. He thought he could get better. So in my case, I thought I could get better. And so I figured out something to do. I tried it and it worked. My last six years, and I brag about this because it's the only part of the game you can be selfish and help your team.
I shot over 92% my last six years. My last two years, I shot over 94% from the free throw line. I only missed in my last two full seasons, I missed 19 total free throws, 19. Andre Drummond, when he was with the Pistons, missed 22 in one game.
One game, right? Yeah. So my basketball claim to fame, Rick, is junior high, back when there was junior high, right? Junior high, game winning free throws, I shot underhand. And that whole year I shot underhand. I shot underhand.
You probably took a lot of abuse. You probably took a lot of abuse from that.
So the next year I didn't. So when I went to varsity, I didn't. I'll tell you why in a second. But what you just said, you take a lot of muscle fatigue, of mental angst out when you shoot underhand. Like you have full control through the release, which you don't when you're here. Right. And there's more moving parts. Exactly. Exactly.
And so my coaches asked me and they were like, why are you doing it like that? And I said, I've been watching nothing but Rick Barry videos for the last two years. And if he can do it with all of his success, I'm pretty sure he's doing it for a reason. He wasn't doing it for publicity in the 60s and 70s. Right.
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Chapter 6: How did Rick Barry achieve success in pickleball?
Totally agree. Totally agree. You know, aside from you can't tell the story of basketball without Rick Barry. I also tell people the Barry family to basketball is what the Manning family is a football and I wholeheartedly believe that you have.
Well, yeah, I mean, my other boys didn't reach the same level as a couple of his sons in Arizona.
better than he was and uh but they don't have the numbers okay i have five boys and all five got division one college scholarships and all five of them play professionally i mean the odds on that are so astronomical it's ridiculous i was hoping one of them would be good enough to play basketball and i have five of them to get division one college scholarships and all five play professionally and you know my one son just now can who made the olympics in 3x3 should have been in the nba but that's a whole nother story and people say well yeah it's just done you know no
Trust me. If my son couldn't play, trust me, I'm not. I say my son can't play. But my son definitely should have been playing. I can throw out numbers and stuff now to show you why when he played for one of the teams. He was playing the team. The guy on the pro team for the NBA, he was shooting 26% from threes, 36% from twos, and 65% from the free throw line.
My son was playing on the G League team. He was averaging. averaging 13 points a game on only seven shots coming off the bench, playing part-time, shooting 48 from twos, 40 from threes, and 85 from the free throw line, and he couldn't get a 10-day contract. The other guy was making $7 million.
So you tell me what's going on, and I'm telling you, the problem with the NBA is that the general managers, if they make their decisions, they don't want to admit they made a mistake.
Right. Right. And that's a problem. That's a problem. You know, and I was going to talk about Canyon because where I was going to say, Rick, was, you know, you have a lot of accolades. Canyon has the Olympics, right?
Yeah, that's my biggest that's my biggest disappointment. I didn't I tried out for the Olympics in 64. It was a political thing. They had a quota system that they had to pick from. all these teams. They lied to it. I didn't even get, I was one of the top scorers in the country. Didn't even get invited. Didn't even get invited to the trials.
The only reason I got to go is Gary Bradds, who was at Ohio state back down at the last minute, they tracked me down. And so I went up there. I wasn't even in one of the initial invitees. And then they said, okay, you're going to be judged on what you do during the trials and the games that you're going to be playing. So I did what I had to do. I come off the bench. I did.
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