3 minute read
Searching for Gold with the Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are on the cutting edge of video analysis at the highest level of basketball in the world. We take a look how their video analysts prepare for games in the NBA.
For video coordinator Travess Armenta and his video analysis team, a strong preseason is key to executing at a high level once games begin. “The work we do before the season will make our lives easier in the future,” said Armenta. “Before the season we made a code window for every team we were going to play and made adjustments based on trades, injuries, that kind of stuff during the season. It’s all about being prepared and getting your stuff done. You will look like a stud [with Hudl] because a project that would normally take who knows how long will get done quicker.”
When the 82-game NBA season hits, it’s all hands on deck. On game day, the analysis team’s preparations start long before tip off—they arrive at the match venue at 7 a.m. As for what each staff member is focused on during game preparation, Armenta tailors his team’s video breakdowns to each coach. “We have coach meetings in the morning where we show the edit and hit on a few key points of main plays the opponents run,” said Armenta. “For example, the type of pick and roll coverage you want to run against them, the type of post defense you want to run. Pick and roll and post defense are the main things you want to go over and how are we going to guard a Curry. How are we going to guard Durant and stuff.”
Travess Armenta, Video Coordinator
Once coach meetings are complete, video breakdowns continue as the coaching staff relays their findings to the players. “So in the morning we’ll have roughly 45 minutes to an hour coaches meeting. Then we’ll go to our shootaround,” said Armenta. “At the shootaround we’ll show film, similar to what we were watching in the coaches room, but more condensed for the players. Maybe two to three minutes for the players. Just enough to show them basically the five main plays to focus on. We’ll take these clips to the court and go through those plays live while they get some shooting drills in, work on our shell offense.”
Every team in the NBA utilizes some form of video analysis, so getting a leg up on the competition can be challenging. However, Armenta takes a straightforward, but effective approach when it comes to gaining a competitive edge on the Nuggets’ opponents. “You just try and find weaknesses in teams,” said Armenta. “I do this thing called ‘Play Edits’ where we’ll have every play they run in the edit, and coaches will go skim through it and organize it as they see fit. So if we’re playing Houston tomorrow, we’ll cut their five most recent games before the game tomorrow and then separate it and organize it by half court defense, transition defense, pick and roll defense, post defense, that kind of stuff. Then our coaches are really good at looking at it and seeing what is the best way that it was covered and then what they think is the best way we should cover it.”
It’s obvious nailing down video analysis workflows can ensure any staff is well equipped to handle all unforeseen challenges throughout the year.
