A Great Video

Ray Allen and Gilbert Arenas are amazing shooters. They are by and far two of the best in all of basketball. If you want to see a glimpse into their lives, check out this video.

How to Get to The Next Level

They say if you want to be good at any hobby or craft, that you need to master one aspect to the highest ability. So if you want to start a business, learn how to connect with customers at a high level. If you want to play tennis, learn how to perform the perfect backhand. If you want to find playing time in basketball, learn the jump shot.

For me this has been outstandingly true. I almost got cut from my freshman basketball team. I was tall for my age (at 6'1" I was one of the tallest kids) but slow and un-athletic, and I did not have great hands or post moves. From all accounts, I should have been cut then and drifted away from basketball.

I was lucky enough to be placed on the B team (the lowest of the two freshman squads) and gathered healthy motivation to work hard the next off-season where I worked endlessly on improving my jump shot and athleticism. My athleticism definitely improved but it was the learning the jump shot that kept me afloat. My defense was average at best but the scoring threat I posed made up for any inadequacies my defense had.

And so I was able to make it all the way til my second year in college as a bench player (better than nothin', right?), when I really should not have ever had a chance to put on a uniform, being that there were guys who are almost as literally twice as fast as me and who could jump over my head.

I truly believe that anyone can play basketball, no matter how tall or strong or quick you are. The masses would have you believe that you need to have certain abilities to be an elite player, but this not true. While it is helpful to be someone who can jump high or run like a lightning bolt, whether you are able to be successful in the game of basketball is dependent on your ability to learn the basics of the game.

Look at Michael Jordan. Everyone knows how great of an athlete he was, but his true greatness came when he understood how to share the basketball, utilize his talents and learn the game in and out.

Larry Bird was never considered fast or quick by anyone's accord. He was one of the least athletic players you could imagine. Sure he had height (at 6'"9), but he knew how to play the game and he played every game like it was his last.

When it comes down to it, mastering one aspect of basketball, whether it be defense, dribbling or shooting, can open the door to mastering the game of basketball. It can make a bad player average, an average play great and a great player legendary. Don't believe the hype, because you don't have to dunk the basketball to be good.

When it really comes down to it, it depends on your ability to push yourself and deal with failure. If you have what it takes, you will be able to reap the rewards of all that hard work.

Good luck!