Chris Matthews, more famously known as Lethal Shooter, is the most sought after NBA shooting coach. He has helped many NBA players from Bobby Portis and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to increase their shooting percentages and win a championship. In an exclusive interview with Sideline Sources’ Alaa Alarashi, Lethal Shooter shares his journey, top three shooters, a shooting app project and more.
Interview with Lethal Shooter
Questions and answers have been edited and condensed for clarity.
Alaa Alarashi: Was there another name that you came up with before Lethal Shooter?
Lethal Shooter: There was a lot of names that I had when I was growing up in my neighborhood. But when I came up with my Instagram name, I couldn’t come up with nothing bruh. I was coming up with all crazy names. But then I said you know what let me name myself Lethal Shooter cause my dad used to call me lethal and shooter wasn’t taken on social media.
AA: Not many people know that you played in Canada, what was that experience like for you?
LS: Yeah it was a dream come true… I feel like playing in Canada was a blessing playing there because I was able to figure out what I wanted out of my life. The one thing I can say about Canada was the people there were great. Everywhere I went people treated me as if they know me. NBL Canada did a good job of letting me show how good my talents are.
AA: How did it feel coaching Bobby Portis through his shot and then seeing him win a championship?
LS: It’s a blessing, same with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. When he won that ring, I didn’t get the ring, but it felt like I won that ring. When Bobby won it two years ago, it felt like I won that ring. If Grant Williams had won it last year against Steph Curry and them it would’ve felt like I won it. I want to see other people win, it’s not about Lethal Shooter, it’s about these guys taking their game to the next level.
AA: Who was the first non-NBA player to reach out to help them improve their shot?
LS: I was living in Atlanta, and at that time I was helping the Hawks. 21 Savage reached out to me and he was like ‘Yo bro let’s get in the gym.’ I was training NBA players at the time and I was like I wasn’t going to train a celebrity or an artist but then I thought about it and I was like, let me just try it. When I went to meet him, it was the best connection ever. When I trained him it was probably one of the best experiences in my life. If it wasn’t for 21 Savage I probably wouldn’t have crossed over and trained other artists.
AA: What do you think about the young prospects right now, Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson, and what you’ve seen?
LS: I think they’re both great players. The one thing about Victor that I love is he’s 7’4, he doesn’t change his pace for anybody and he doesn’t do anything that he can’t do. He doesn’t step outside of his game. I’m very excited to see him play in the NBA. Same with Scoot. I love his game. He stays within his box, I love his passion and the aggression, and I feel like he’s more than ready.
AA: Who are your top three shooters in the NBA right now?
LS: I think the best shooter in the NBA right now is Steph Curry. I say the second best shooter is Klay Thompson. Third is Kevin Durant. In today’s NBA, those are the top three shooters in the NBA right now, until Kevin Durant, or Steph Curry or Klay retires.
AA: What are some of the projects you have in mind for the future?
LS: I have a training app coming out in the next month and a half. I’ve been working on this app for about a year right now, because so many people want the same training that I give the athletes I work with. So everybody that’s ready to take their game to the next level, make sure you sign up for my app.
Chris Matthews, Lethal Shooter, also mentioned that he has had some job offers from teams over the summer for coaching positions. He says that is something he is considering but also wants to make sure that it’s a place that is right for him and his family.
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