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HE WILL soon be instructing the biggest name in world basketball, but on the weekend it was the turn of Bendigo Braves junior coaches to learn from Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Clay Moser.
The former NBA scout and consultant’s presence in Bendigo was an intriguing sidelight to the Braves’ 1988 championship team’s reunion on Friday night.
Moser, who has been a member of the Lakers’ coaching staff since 2014, said his visit was encouraged by his long-time great friend and the undoubted star of that ’88 then South East Basketball League championship win David ‘DJ’ Johnson.
“I’m an old junior college team-mate of David ‘DJ’ Johnson – we became great friends and have a great mutual respect for each other,” he said.
“He was so much of a better player than I was that I kind of took a big back seat to him, but I came to appreciate his friendship and ability and the grace with which he did it all.
“He and I have been talking about getting over here together for years – it didn’t just happen overnight.
“I’ve always wanted to go and see where he played and experience Australia and that manifested itself this year.”
Moser, whose role with the Lakers includes being the director of basketball strategy, ran two sessions for coaches across Victoria at Bendigo Stadium on Saturday, before spending time with Braves junior coaches on Sunday.
The affable and respectful American was insistent his visit not in any way detract or deflect from an obvious proud celebration for his former college team-mate.
“It’s been huge for ‘DJ’ and I am humbled and proud to be a part of it. It’s been really cool,” he said.
Moser, who initially joined the Lakers as an associate coach of their D-League team in 2011 and has been with the organisation for eight years, suddenly finds himself on a coaching staff overseeing the NBA’s best player LeBron James.
The three-time NBA championship player and four-time league MVP joined the Lakers earlier this month on a four-year, $153.3 million deal.
Moser said the first pre-season practice could not come soon enough now that the King would be wearing the famous yellow and purple.
“What an opportunity to be involved with him, with all he’s done and all he is going to do,” he said.
‘Goosebumps is probably the best way to describe it – I can’t wait to get started.
“He’s a transcendent player and has been his entire career and that continues into what will be his 16th year. He’s showing no signs of slowing down.”
With James joining Michael Beasley, JaVale McGee, Rajon Rondo and Lance Stephenson as new Lakers acquired this off-season, Moser was confident improvement would come quickly for a Los Angeles team which finished with 35 wins last season and missed the playoffs for the fifth consecutive campaign.
“We are clearly on an upturn; our front office has done a masterful job of upgrading our talent this summer with some signings,” he said.
“We had a good young core going into the off-season, so it’s exciting.
“I know from the coaching staff perspective, we can’t wait to get on the floor and start putting it together.”
Moser, whose coaching career started as an assistant at North Carolina State in the late 80s and has been involved in basketball for the past 35 years, said he was impressed with what he saw from both Braves SEABL teams in Friday night’s wins over Frankston Blues.
“I know the (Braves) women are a terrific team and when I watched them I loved the way they shared they ball,” he said.
“They really play for each other and care for each other, so no there’s no surprise seeing that translate into a whole bunch of wins.
“The men …. I loved the energy and the ball movement. It was a real wide-open and free style.
“I really enjoyed watching them. They won, so coach Harvey gets an A-plus.”