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Exclusive Interview with Mike Taylor

By ericgsatterwhite • on May 25, 2008

On the morning of the NBA Draft lottery at the immaculate Dr. Ephraiam Williams Family Life Center, professional basketball trainer extraordinaire Guss Armstead is putting a myriad of basketball players through a relentless pace of skill work and high energy drills. Participation in this high tempo basketball training guarantees that all particpants will have vastly improved cardio coupled with elevated hoops abilities. In the pack of perspiring streamlined athletes are the likes of NBA first round draft hopeful Ryan Anderson from the University of California working opposite NBA free agent Matt Barnes. NBDL veteran’s Jamaal Tatum, Joe Shipp and Rod Benson are laboriously heeding Armstead’s commands as they seek to improve their future professional playing platforms. There are several other prospects preparing to run through another gauntlet of Armstead’s fundamentals with one basketball playing panther eager to improve.

Mike Taylor of the recently crowned Idaho Stampede of the NBDL is executing each drill with NBA level explosiveness and tenacity. Taylor the 6′2″ point guard who was the key component in the NBDL title game is the poster boy for why the D-League was created. Taylor, who was dismissed from Iowa State for violating team rules, is on the fast track to the NBA and is in Sacramento, California on the Campus of St. Paul Baptist Church which is the training ground home of Armstead’s basketball classroom. Taylor declared for the NBA Draft this spring and is an eye-catching prospect with maturity and experience to be listed with the top collegiate point guard Draft eligibles.

HoopsAddict.com sat down with Taylor and discussed a range of topics and found a straight forward, unassuming and genuine young man seasoned with the highs and lows of life. The 22-year old Taylor is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is one of four siblings. He is focused with probing eyes that seem to measure the essence of each person he comes in contact with. Taylor is proof evident of the importance in living in the moment and maximizing the time known as now that will lead to ripples of success in the immediate future.

Hoops Addict: Mike, you were one of the better player’s in the NBDL while performing for the Idaho Stampede and your team won the championship. Can you talk about the experience?
Mike Taylor: It was a great experience. Being it was my first year as a professional and being able to play behind a veteran like Randy Livingston I learned plenty. I learned how to play the pick and roll offensively and defensively, how to control the tempo of the game and when to best utilize my speed for the benefits of my teammates. It was a great to learn from a veteran player like Livingston and I was all ears. The tutelage I received from Livingston paid off.

HA: Let’s move on to your preparation for the NBA Draft. You’re in Sacramento working with coveted basketball trainer Guss Armstead. Have you received any NBA camp invitations?
MT: I have received a few invitations. I have seven invitations to workout with NBA teams as well as the NBA pre draft camp in Orlando. Right now I’m not really thinking about that (NBA team workouts). I’m taking things day-by-day while working on my game every morning with Guss.

HA: Let’s move on to your development. What are you looking on developing in this short period of time as you get ready for camp? Obviously you have a strong body of work based on your championship play in the NBDL. You are on the radar of many NBA scouts as a result of your abilities. You’re not a secret… so what are some of the things you’re focusing in on during these daily workouts?
MT: One of the biggest things I need to work on is keeping my dribble alive when I’m coming off pick and rolls the way that Tony Parker, Chris Paul and Steve Nash execute when they get in the lane. By keeping my dribble alive off the pick and roll I need to execute the separation dribble and that’s what Guss has been working me out on besides all the other skill work. I also need to make quicker decisions at the NBA level. When we play fullcourt I’m working on anticipating plays before they happen. During these workouts I’m constantly thinking the game thru offensively and defensively. I recognize my constant mental awareness is critical for me to be a successful NBA point guard.

HA: There is a huge need for excellent point guards in the NBA. In my conversations with various NBA leaders the consensus is that finding a quality point guard is a constant search. Again, based on the success you had in the NBDL was there ever an opportunity for you to be called up by an NBA team?
MT: I had heard there was interest from several teams yet I wanted to enter the NBA Draft. I asked my agent was there a chance for me to enter the draft and he said at the time he did not know. My agent around the time of the D-League showcase then informed me that I was in a unique situation. The uniqueness was that I could enter the NBA Draft even though I played a full professional season.

HA: Therefore you will be the first NBDL player to enter the NBA Draft. So based on your D-League experience that puts you near the top of the class for 2008 Draft eligible point guards. So here’s an opportunity to personally state what qualities and values you can bring into the league right out the gate?
MT: Well, I played at Iowa State for a year and my season was mediocre. There was a lot of things I did not grasp right away playing at the Division 1 level. The biggest difference from a college player entering the draft and my experience is huge. I played 55 games last year where most college players played 30. Also, I played the NBA style pick-and-roll offense. I can’t speak on every college, yet my college (Iowa State) ran a set offense, never pick-and-roll. Therefore, my professional experience rates higher than college point guards entering the draft. I ran a pro offense for six months which is also an advantage I have over college point guards. Another advantage I have over college point guards is my mental approach and experience as a professional. Every day you have to be ready on the court and off the court. While in the D-League we had to be in the community. I participated in our team’s “Read to Achieve” program. Our team also went to numerous elementary schools so I have experience with the professional scene. It was a huge adjustment for me yet I have preparation to be a NBA professional. This experience puts me several steps ahead collegiate players.

HA: Outstanding. The advantage of having professional experience also relates to the quality of competition you experienced in the NBDL. You mentioned how you participated in a multitude of community service work and I can easily reason that you enjoyed the experience.
MT: Definitely. (Smile)

HA: While at Iowa State there was some incidents that you were involved with which led to your removal from the team. To date, both your college coach and D-league coach have signed off on your character and your current solid citizen status. Elaborate on your Iowa State experience and how it made you aware to be more responsible of your person?
MT: The most important lesson that I learned is to represent myself in a highly responsible dignified matter at all times. When I was in college I was only concerned with what I could do on the court. I did not realize at the time, that my off the court conduct, due to my lack of maturity was the bigger responsibility. The transition of having to leave the Iowa State team and not being able to play basketball was a huge benefit to me. During a three month period I did not pick up a basketball until I connected with Guss Armstead and my agent who helped steer me back to the right path. During this time I was humbled and made aware that I need to show my real character and that I’m a good person to be around.

HA: Since you are a point guard, which is a position of leadership on the court, you need players to be able to follow your example . Therefore, having to take the hard road back to the game of basketball and the success you achieved since college reflects your mental toughness. One’s physical skills can be measured yet the tougher read is one’s mental makeup. Speak on how you rate your mental game which is so important for success at the NBA level.
MT: One of my mental outlooks is I never expect things to just happen. Also, I refuse to get down on myself. I just approach the game with hard work and to play every possession like it’s the last possession. That’s how I was raised - to outwork your opponent. I learned to compete by playing a lot of street ball in my youth. Yet, the most important thing that helped me get through tough times was my faith in God. My faith got me through the tough times when I did not know what my options were going to be. When I left Iowa State I did not know if was I going to a Division 2 school. At that same time, Division 1 schools did not want to take a chance on me. I just prayed my situation would get better and I’m blessed to be in my current situation. I’m eligible for the NBA Draft and do not look at the past.

HA: That’s called forward thinking. Your body of work reflect that you have moved on and have been strengthened by your past situations. Your current conduct has been exemplary. Back to draft preparation, do you plan on going to Orlando?
MT: Yes.

HA: How do you plan to gauge the Orlando experience?
MT: I’m just going in with an open mind. In the D-League you have time to watch plenty of college games and I’ve been studying the college point guards and where I fit in. Once again the top ranked college point guards I’m in their age group so I’m interesting in measuring their strengths against my strengths. When I arrive in Orlando I’m not putting any pressure on myself, I’m just ready to show I’m one of the best point guards.

HA: I’ve observed your workouts and it’s clear you have explosive athleticism and well-rounded backcourt skills and you mentioned an item you are working on which is making quick decisions in the lane. Another in the lane necessity is shooting floaters and runners in the lane. Are you working on shooting skills as well?
MT: Definitely. Guss and I have been working on the in the lane “teardrop” shot similar to the Tony Parker floater off the glass.

HA: Thank you Mike for the opportunity for the interview and I want to thank you for freely expressing yourself and being cordial at the same time. We here at HoopsAddict.com wish you the best.
MT: I appreciate you for taking the time. Thank you.

HA: Much obliged.

Photo Credit: Icon Sports Media