Satnam Singh’s NBA breakthrough with Dallas Mavericks in the 2015 draft is a new high for Indian sport. The Punjab teenager shattered the glass ceiling for basketball in India. He found the International Management Group (IMG) route to pro basketball, tutored in fitness and finesse by specialists to a level demanded from recruits into the American league.
For talented young Indians chasing the American dream, without access to IMG Florida expertise and proximity to NBA teams, former India basketball ace Abbas Moontasir suggests the Asian Championships to attract foreign clubs’ attention. His radical solution, for Indian basketball to take off from this point, is to identify athletes and convert them into hoopsters via systematic coaching.
Moontasir was a famous name at the national and Asian level, known for a physical game on court, bordering on intimidation. Forceful and fiery displays for India at the Bangkok Asian Games 1970 earned him a berth on the Asian All-Star basketball team the same year. “The Asian Basketball Confederation had planned a tour to Europe by the All-Star team, it did not happen.”
The Arjuna awardee said: “We need many more Satnams playing in the NBA. I do not know whether the IMG route is available for others and how the system works. Indian players should use the Asian Championships to attract attention of foreign coaches. Matches against leading nations like China will help Indians. Philippines boasts a competitive club structure and fan following. ”
Moontasir adds: “Indian internationals are now are bigger and heavier, facilities are far better. Getting into the NBA is difficult, Asian clubs are within reach.” Amjyot Singh and Amritpal Singh, two Indian men’s first-team regulars, signed short-term contracts to play in Japan’s BJ Summer League. Both played in India’s 65-58 upset over China at the FIBA Asia Cup 2014 in Wuhan.
He was surprised by Satnam’s NBA entry. “I did not anticipate an Indian player in the NBA in my lifetime. For our nation to cash in on Satnam’s success, searching for tall players alone won’t do. Identify athletes with basic strength and mobility. There are young athletes in Punjab and southern states. Convert them into basketball players with training, exposure and see the difference.”
Seven feet, two Satnam is huge by Indian standards. Moontasir is emphatic that skills forced NBA scouts into serious thought about the 19-year-old centre. “I saw a few videos after the Dalls Maverics NBA draft news came through. He is mobile despite his size and shoots well. NBA coaches look for qualities in a player beyond physique; they have many tall options to choose from.”
The ex-Indian Railways ace and crowd-puller observed: “Basketball has changed. Three-pointers can decide matches sometimes, so players with long-range shooting have value for coaches. You need not be a giant and can still do enough. Most Indians shoot well, it comes naturally to us like dribbling and ball control to our hockey players.”
Basketball has a place for different player types, Moontasir points out: “You need players to control the board and others to control the ball. Everyone cannot be a Magic Johnson, excelling in both. He is a one-in-a-million happening and unique.” Erwin Johnson, nicknamed ‘Magic’ is one of the game’s all-time greats for ball-handling, passing and shooting.
The Mumbai ace from Nagpada adds, “NBA has seen outstanding shorter players named as MVP (Most Valuable Player). Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors) is only six feet, three and was named MVP last year. Earlier, I remember Bob Cousy driving opponents mad with his vision and shooting. He was an MVP at six feet, one and the best point guard of his generation.”
Moontasir remains a big believer in weight training; he started working with weights at 12. “People mocked me when I used to do strength training. Basketballers were expected to be tall and thin then,” remembers the Asian All-Star player, inspired by older brothers Safdar Ali Moontasir (body-builder) and Hussain Ali Moontasir (power-lifter).
He concludes: “My brothers insisted that we lift weights as part of basketball training. Coaches found it odd then, NBA we get to see now is about pro athletes operating at peak fitness. Height is important, but without strength and mobility to play a physical game, opponents will throw you off court.” Satnam is now in that elite pack, picked up for above average physique, noticed for skills and groomed in the American way.
