There is a very simple way to make your self significantly better immediately. Play more like Steve Nash.
Simple. Do it!
I do not mean you should instantly acquire his shooting prowess, ball handling, vision, intelligence, leadership, etc. What you should do is… Get uncomfortable.
Steve Nash is singular in his ability to play just on the edge of control. If Steve Nash were to play just a bit faster, try anything more advanced, fake any more violently or search any more intently with his eyes, he would be overwhelmed and begin making so many mistakes he would be ineffective. In every practice, drill and competition Steve Nash knows that if he is playing in a way that is comfortable, he is not improving and he is not doing the little things that set him apart from most athletes.
Allow me to give you a very simple example. Play lower. If most athletes were asked if it were beneficial to play lower at all times, they would generally answer yes. Yet, as I observe athletes who claim to be serious about their improvement, I am - time and again - surprised at how poor most of them are at self analysis. Most athletes respond to coaching observations by nodding, and then doing the thing they just did in exactly the same way. I urge athletes to be lower on the catch, lower on the stop, lower on the dribble move, lower on defense, lower on the drive and lower on the rebound. They agree, and then play like a gymnast posing after a beautiful dismount.
Why does this happen? It is obviously difficult - a little uncomfortable - to play in a coiled, dynamic, and powerful stance. The average athlete will forget, or lack the discipline it requires, to force themselves into this constant state of uncomfortable excellence.
Improvement requires constant evaluation by the stretch theory. Stretch theory is this: stretch yourself as if you were a rubber band. When you train, always be at the point of breaking, for at that moment you are at your most powerful. When you are stretched to the point of snapping, that is when you have the most potential for great performance.
(Thanks Tyler Coston)
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