I feel that the most important skill in basketball is mental preparation. I feel that mental preparation is key in order to be highly successful at the game of basketball. You obviously need to develop the physical skills of dribbling, passing, shooting, etc. but it’s the mental preparation that is needed to develop an organized plan of attack, that is time efficient and effective, in order to properly execute those skills. It allows for you to plan your workouts before you get to the gym so you have that extra time to work on your game, which leads to further success on the court. I feel this is important because because quite simply, if you can’t think, you can’t play. I believe that in today’s generation basketball is 80% mental and 20% physical!! When players actually take the time and put in the effort in developing their minds in the same manner that they train their bodies, the results are incredible!! You can have all of the skills in the world, but if you lack mental preparation you will eventually hit a slump that will be incredibly difficult to overcome. Strong mental preparation leads to a positive mindset and allows players to get things done, instead of making a TON of excuses. It allows you to develop an UNBREAKABLE, UNSHAKABLE amount of confidence in which you can take with you on and off of the court. It also helps you to change your life for the better, as you will find yourself being more of a leader instead of a follower and positively influencing the lives around you in ways that they would never forget. There are so many resources being provided within the world to help players improve their skills, but very few train their minds. I feel that being mentally prepared and having a powerful mind is one of the greatest resources that a basketball player can have, as it will give you that extra edge over the competition. It gives you that killer instinct and helps you develop a great deal of toughness, knowing that no individual in the world is as prepared and works as hard as you do. Being mentally prepared will always keep you on top of your game, as you will constantly be reminded that no individual in the entire planet will outwork you. The greatest active basketball player in the WORLD, Kobe Bryant, is the most mentally prepared, that should say it all!! His mindset is INCREDIBLE, and his strong mental preparation lead to him developing the out of this world work ethic and basketball I.Q. that he has today, which makes him impossible to contain as he feeds everything to his fire!!
Being mentally prepared eliminates any fears of failing and making mistakes. It helps you to develop a strong faith within yourself and allows you to be persistent to the point that you can accomplish anything that you set your mind to. It helps you to be aware of your thoughts in knowing that nothing is impossible, because the word itself says I’M POSSIBLE!!! This is why I feel that being mentally prepared is the most important skill in the game of basketball. It all starts in the mind!! It was a pleasure to share my opinion with you.