How To Go From Good To Great

Posted on 22. Sep, 2009 by admin in Blog

There are many players in the sport of basketball who continue to be average no matter what kind of potential they have.  If you want to play 10 minutes a game, then so be it.  But if you want to play 40 minutes a game and never sit in the 4th then you need to be better than average.  If you put all of your effort in becoming the best you can be then you’ll transform from a bench warmer into the go-to guy/ girl.

The big tip I tell everyone is…work hard.  Don’t let laziness be the victim to your mediocre playing ability.  Everyone is born with the ability to increase their work ethic, some players are fine with where they are at.  The great players are never satisfied and will out work their peers.  Just remember there is someone out there willing to put in 50 shots a day at 6 in the morning.  That person will take their game to the next level and become a successful player.

Play as much as you can.  Anytime you get a chance to play pick up games, do it.  Call up your friends, go to the park, play one on one with your brother, doesn’t matter as long as you get out there and play!  Playing games with someone else can improve your game dramatically because you get to see results from your practices.  Instead of stopping and popping in front of a chair, you have the defender’s arm to shoot over.  Its best if you find someone close or better than your skill set.  That way your not going by them every time and you get a real challenge.

Have  swagger.  When stepping on the court, feel like your the best.  I don’t mean to act cocky and selfish; just be yourself with a dose of confidence.  You’ll be surprised at how much you can improve by having confidence in your ability.  Alot of players are fearful because they don’t think their good enough.  Not you though, you get on the court and do your thing.

Live and breath basketball.  The great players are watching, thinking, talking, playing basketball 24/7.  They are constantly learning the game and finding new ways to become better than they already are.

Never listen to nay-sayers.  Don’t let anyone tell you you’re too small, too slow, too fat, whatever they have to say because that will make you go backwards; use it as motivation.  For example, one of your classmates says your too chubby to play basketball.  Do you throw your hands up and quit or do you trim down, improve your quickness and cross him over?  I would choose the latter.  It won’t happen overnight but keep the haters in the back of your mind for purely motivation.

“Good is the enemy of great” ~ Jim Collins

Tags: improvement, lebron james, mindset