Hey guys,
Just a quick thought for tonight, with more to come. When you’re working on your game (you are working on your game, aren’t you?), what are you working on? Are you working on just a few things? You should be working on more. I see so many players today that can only do one or two things. They can shoot, but they can’t drive. They can drive, but they can’t pass. They can score, but they can’t defend. They can rebound, but they can’t make free throws.

Now think about it…

Whether your goal is to play in college, or just to get some extra playing time, what’s more attractive to that decision maker (coach/recruiter)? Someone who is one dimensional? Or a player that is well rounded. Now granted, your one dimension could be so good that you’re like a Steve Kerr (shooter), a Ben Wallace (rebounder), or even a Carmelo Anthony (scorer, since you know he plays no D!). But that would also make you an incredibly special talent. If that’s you, congrats! And keep in mind, those guys were not one dimensional until they got to the highest level of basketball. I guarantee that they did more than that one skill in high school and college. But I’m guessing most of you, like myself, are not a generational talent, in which case…

Bottom line, the more things you can do on the court, the better a player you will be. Case in point… Derrick Rose. His main weakness was his outside shooting. So this past summer her worked religously on improving his jump shot. Results? This past season he made more 3’s than in his first two years combined. What that did was then open up the rest of his game as defenders now had to come out and guard his shot. And with his explosiveness, he is now able to blow right by those same defenders. No coincidence he’s the youngest MVP of all-time. He worked on his weakness to become a more well rounded player and not only did it enhance his game, but that of his team as well.

Lesson learned?

bt