From Play First to Performance First: Coach Mike G on Changing the Culture in Basketball with BFR

In the latest episode of the Hytro Performance Podcast, Coach Mike G, NBA Performance Specialist and founder of GBG Hoops, shares how he’s using Hytro’s Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) technology to help drive a cultural shift in basketball. 

With a client roster that includes NBA stars like Jrue Holiday, Mike has been leading a charge away from a play-first mentality toward a high-performance model that prioritises strength, recovery and long-term athletic development. 

“The culture of training is starting to change in our favour,” he explains. “LeBron James goes on record and says £1.5 million dollars a year on my body and when the best player in the world says that it starts to influence others.” 

Revolutionising recovery with BFR 

Recovery is no longer a luxury; it’s a performance enhancer. Mike uses Hytro’s passive BFR protocol post-game to accelerate that process, involving full-pressure application for five minutes, followed by three minutes off. This promotes circulation, nutrient delivery and the hormonal signals needed for recovery, without added mechanical stress. He explains, “BFR has been a huge, huge ingredient in our ability to load athletes with a physiological stressor that isn’t going to be as mechanically damaging as court load or external weight load.” 

And when emotions are high or energy is low post-game, Mike doesn’t push heavy lifts. He meets players where they’re at: “You just played 38. You know what? Are you OK with doing some BFR? Go put your Hytro shorts on… I’m a meet you where you’re at.” 

Enhancing training efficiency 

When it comes to maintaining intensity while managing fatigue, Hytro's BFR Performance Shorts allow Mike to deliver high stimulus with low physical cost. Post-game lifts can still generate muscle activation and training effect without tipping players into overtraining. “The shorts allow us to do so because it's just a very convenient and easy and effective way to get what we need out of the session.” 

It’s not just about ticking boxes. It’s about keeping players feeling productive, even when physical or mental fatigue sets in. 

Integrating BFR into skill development 

Mike goes beyond recovery and lifting, he also integrates BFR into on-court skill drills like shooting and ball handling. The added challenge builds not just physical resilience, but mental toughness too. Under fatigue and constraint, players must still execute, and that translates directly into game situations. “Now I have movement choice. I can do things I never could before because I’m strong enough, stable enough, confident, and I have no pain.” 

Promoting athlete autonomy 

One of the biggest advantages Mike sees in Hytro’s technology is how easy it is for athletes to use it themselves. Whether in the sauna, during warm-ups or while travelling, BFR becomes a portable, effective tool for daily performance. “It’s not about what I want as a coach. It’s about what you need as a player,” he shared. When athletes take ownership of their own recovery, it becomes a cultural shift, not just a program. 

The Jrue Holiday blueprint 

Jrue Holiday’s journey with Mike is a case study in performance transformation. Early career injuries led to surgical intervention and a wake-up call about training, recovery and professional longevity. Mike shared, “He ends up getting a surgical procedure done… and that’s when he started to kind of turn over and start to believe in the training and the work.” 

The result? Five-time All-Defensive team, Olympic gold, an NBA championship, and a $300 million contract. Mike doesn’t take credit for Jrue’s achievements. But he points to one truth: when you’re physically prepared, you’re able to be yourself. 

Extending benefits to youth athletes 

Recognising the intense demands on younger players, Mike also advocates for early adoption of smart recovery tools. Introducing BFR at the youth level helps build sustainable habits and reduce injury risk, both key pillars of long-term development. 

A tool that delivers 

Mike affirmed that he doesn’t believe in hype. He believes in results. “I’m a firm believer in stuff that works.” In elite basketball, where travel, high minutes and back-to-backs take a toll, having a proven, athlete-led solution like Hytro BFR makes the difference. It’s practical, effective and meets players where they’re at, without sacrificing performance. 

Coach Mike G isn’t just coaching players; he’s helping shift an entire culture. By integrating Hytro into recovery, training and daily routines, he’s proving that real performance isn’t just about playing harder. It’s about training smarter. Listen to the full conversation on the Hytro Performance Podcast: Episode 15. 

To learn how Hytro can work best for your athletes, coaches, get in touch with the sales team here.

If you’re an athlete wanting to dial up your basketball programming, check out Mike G’s GBG Hoops platform here.