Bob MacKinnon shares love of basketball worldwide
The Texas Legends head coach helps to develop the game on both sides of the globe.
There’s no off-season for Bob MacKinnon.
The Texas Legends head coach has remained active since finishing his first season as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks’ G League team. From assisting the Mavs with free agent camp, to assisting with their summer league teams in Orlando and Las Vegas, it’s all about teaching the game for MacKinnon.
MacKinnon traveled to Aguascalientes, Mexico, where he helped lead youth clinics.
“I’ve been doing clinics with Tony Ronzone (Mavericks Assistant General Manager) for the last three years in Mexico,” MacKinnon said. “This past year they asked me to write curriculum for P.E. teachers and grade school coaches in the game of basketball.”
MacKinnon did just that, writing on the fundamentals of basketball to a new generation of hoopsters itching to bounce a basketball, some for the very first time.
What’s old is new, however, when it comes to writing curriculum for MacKinnon, something he hadn’t done since he earned his Master’s degree in Education, but nevertheless felt he was successful in his endeavor.
“It was a blast, it was great,” MacKinnon said. “We are really trying to start at the grassroots level, and give them an alternative to bad stuff they can get into.
“You feel like basketball is a sport anybody can play no matter of your socioeconomic background.”
MacKinnon wrapped up his inaugural season as Legends head coach with a 25–25 record, the first .500 or greater record in franchise history.
“For me, it was tremendous getting a chance to work for Donnie Nelson and Malcolm Farmer and work with the Mavericks,” MacKinnon said. “Being so close from Frisco to Dallas, it gives us great synergy and the opportunity to work with coach (Rick) Carlisle.”
Despite just falling short of a postseason berth on the last week of the season, it was a positive experience this past season for MacKinnon.
“The one thing that always stands out is all the players,” MacKinnon said. “From veteran guys like a Ben Gordon to a first-year guy like a Jameel Warney.
“From guys I’m familiar with like C.J. Williams and Manny Harris and a guy like Pierre Jackson, all the players,” MacKinnon continued. “And a guy like Bryson Fonsville, the only Division III player in the league, played 49 games for us. There are a lot of great individual success stories and to be a part of them as a coach is really rewarding.”
MacKinnon’s roots run deep in D/G League history, having coaching stops previously in Idaho, Colorado, Springfield and Los Angeles before calling Texas home this past season. MacKinnon won a D-League championship with the Colorado 14ers in 2009.
Recently, the league underwent a serious cosmetic change, as it became the G(atorade) League courtesy of a title sponsorship from the sports drink company.
MacKinnon feels the league’s strengthened relationship with Gatorade will only bring a positive influence.
“I think it’s tremendous. It’s not just changing the name, it’s changing the name of a tremendous corporate sponsor that can provide great changes such as monetary things,” MacKinnon said. “Hopefully those monetary things let you progress.”
Does this include increased salaries for average G League players?
“I think our league is the best in the world with what our objective is,” MacKinnon said. “Which is to be seen and sent onto a better opportunity. If the name change to G League and our sponsorship can enhance our players then I’m all for it.”
What’s next for the globetrotting MacKinnon? The G League head coach departed for China this past Monday to take part in coaches clinics sponsored by the NBA.
“There will be anywhere between 250–300 University coaches there,” MacKinnon said. The NBA has done such a great job growing the game globally it’s tremendous to be a part of that.”
From young players to coaches, MacKinnon is leaving his imprint on all levels of the game, worldwide.
