Latest news with #Hanlen
New York Post
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Tyrese Haliburton's trainer feuds with ex-Bucks guard in heated social media spat
Amid concerns of a lack of national storylines for an NBA Finals featuring two smaller-market teams, apparently a feud between a trainer and an ex-player is what's needed. Tyrese Haliburton's trainer, Drew Hanlen, and former first-round pick Brandon Jennings have fired barbs at each other following critical comments made by the ex-Bucks guard about Hanlen's methods. This weird saga began when Jennings quote-tweeted a section of an article from The Athletic, where Hanlen described how he uses trash talk among his clients — which includes fellow NBA stars like Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid and Bradley Beal — to help motivate them. Haliburton is quoted in the segment, saying how Hanlen will tell him that 76ers star guard Tyrese Maxey said he's going to keep him under lock in an upcoming matchup, which causes the polarizing Pacers guard to respond back about how he's going to perform. The article also details how he'll have clients on heaters call those in dry spells, and how he will include Embiid and Tatum on a chain and remind them of feats they've yet to accomplish. 5 Hanlen (r) and Haliburton (c) after the Eastern Conference finals ended. @drewhanlen/Instagram Jennings does not approve of said methods. 'I'm reading this article on how Drew Hanlen puts his guys in 'Text Chain' to tell them they won't do this or this guy is better and etc. weird and stupid I said this earlier in the year to much buddy buddy when it comes to that guy,' Jennings said in a May 31 post to X. 'I'm sorry but Robmac (skills trainer Rob McClanaghan) would never have Drose (Derrick Rose),KD (Kevin Durant), (Russell) Westbrook, Klove (Kevin Love), and etc all in text chain saying who can't win MVP!!!! GTFOH!!!!' Well, a few days went by, and Hanlen didn't respond. 5 Brandon Jennings during his Bucks days in 2013. Getty Images That apparently didn't sit well with Jennings, who quote-tweeted his original post to reignite the dormant feud. 'Why u so quiet now you groupie ass trainer @DrewHanlen where is the group text chain now!!!!' Jennings wrote Tuesday. 'U the biggest basketball groupie trainer ever.' Hanlen then decided to join the fray and dunked on Jennings. 5 Hanlen and Holmgren. @drewhanlen/Instagram 'I'm getting two of my clients (Haliburton & [Chet] Holmgren) ready for the finals so don't have time to waste on your dumbass takes,' Hanlen wrote Tuesday night. 'Side note: Maybe if your trainer would talked s–t to you, you wouldn't have shot 37% from the field & 23% from 3 in the playoffs while never winning s–t.' Ouch. 5 Haliburton and Hanlen after the Olympics final. @drewhanlen/Instagram Hanlen provided largely factual statements, with Jennings shooting 37.2 percent from the field and 23.8 percent from 3 (you should round to 24, to be fair) during his limited playoff sample size. Jennings, who played for the Bucks, Pistons, Magic, Wizards and Knicks in his nine-season career, made it past the first round once. Hanlen then took it even further by quote-tweeting with an eyeballs emoji a @statmust post showing Jennings tallied the third-lowest 3-point shooting percentage in NBA history for those with at least 75 attempts. 5 Brandon Jennings during his Knicks tenure in 2016. Paul J. Bereswill The former Arizona star responded to the dig Wednesday morning. 'So you the reason Haliburton been playing like this? Or is it cause the league 'players' said he was overrated!!! Let me guess you put Chet and Hali in group text for the finals?' Jennings wrote. 'Lol iiighttttt Every time you do this something goes bad with ur clients. Stop wasting ur time!!! Side note: you have Short man syndrome.' One of Hanlen's clients will get his first ring in the Finals when Holmgren's favored Thunder face Haliburton's Pacers starting Thursday in Game 1.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Can the Philadelphia 76ers overcome their injuries and make a playoff run?
(This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.) For the Philadelphia 76ers, bad luck has loomed large over their playoff aspirations for years now. As Kevin O'Connor and NBA skills trainer Drew Hanlen discussed in a recent episode of "The Kevin O'Connor Show," this season has been especially brutal for the Sixers, primarily due to the perpetual shadow of injuries over their star player, Joel Embiid. Despite history suggesting otherwise, there's a buzz around the idea that the Sixers might just defy the odds this season. "Joel really does believe if he's healthy and on the floor, he has a chance to beat anybody," Hanlen mentioned during the conversation. But will belief be enough to carry them beyond the second round? For the Sixers faithful, cheering for this team has been a maddening rollercoaster ride. Embiid's injury history reads like a medical encyclopedia, from facial fractures due to hyperextensions to friendly fire injuries straight out of a horror film. Even Hanlen pointed out the unusual nature of Embiid's misfortunes. "Nothing to do with cardio," he asserted when describing Embiid's injuries, undermining narratives that question the player's conditioning. Even though fans understandably focus on what lurks beyond the regular season, there's some optimism that Embiid might finally get his healthy postseason run. That hinges on aligning the stars just right —keeping Embiid on court near full health — and, of course, vibrant play from Tyrese Maxey and Paul George. Yet, if the Sixers fail again this year, it will truly highlight how competitive aspirations can be so starkly derailed by health. The duo of Embiid and George, coupled with the likes of Maxey, could create an imposing starting five — if only they can all stay fit. Hanlen did offer a silver lining. "Fans don't realize — when he's out there healthy, that's always the asterisk,' he said, fending off criticisms about consistency. When you have Embiid cooking, all is well in Philadelphia's world. The grim truth for the Sixers is that consistency has been elusive, even though the talent is abundant. Surprisingly, no team has ever gone from a play-in position to becoming a contender, and if Embiid and company can pull it off this year, they would be breaking new ground in NBA postseason history. There's a palpable hunger, continuously stoked by bleak seasons, that might just fuel this Sixers team to make a charge. Can they flip the script and turn perennial misfortune into force majeure? As the clock ticks toward the postseason, giving the Sixers' fans a glimpse of validation could be a game-changer. For more insider takes on your favorite teams and stars, tune into "The Kevin O'Connor Show" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.
USA Today
17-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum's trainer Drew Hanlen has a new book out
It is safe to say that star Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum would be a different player than he is today had he not linked up with famous NBA trainer Drew Hanlen when he was still a very young prospect. The St. Louis native would perhaps have still ended up being in the league he is now a leading star in, and might even have reached similar heights under the right tutelage. But Hanlen helped Tatum become the player he is today, and continues to help the Celtics star hone his craft to new heights. And now, Hanlen has a book out talking about his own philosophy on how to find success in many areas of life. Called "Stop (expletive) yourself," it is definitely worth a look. Hanlen recently made an appearance on the "Garden Report" podcast to talk it over with cohost Bobby Manning. Check it out below! If you enjoy this pod, check out the "How Bout Them Celtics," "First to the Floor," "Celtics Lab," and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network. Listen to the "Celtics Lab" podcast on: Apple Podcasts: Spotify:
