How Important is Scoring?

Everyone wants to score a lot of points. I did when I played, and just about everyone I coach wants to as well.

But you can have a very successful and long career by being a very good all-around player, and not necessarily being a great scorer. In fact, I checked nba.com the other day and did the math and 75% of NBA players are averaging less than 10 points a game. Pretty interesting. Just goes to prove that scoring isn't the only way to have a good basketball career.

Don't get me wrong: every player should be able to put the ball in the basket. But focus on being a very good all-around player (that can shoot, dribble, rebound, pass, and defend) and don't get too focused on just putting the ball in the basket.


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Elite Coaching Program

If you're interested in really improving as a player and taking your game to the next level, you will be interested in our Elite Coaching Program.

For a small monthly fee, you can a special Elite Coaching Program newsletter that'll go out twice a month, get personal interaction with me, special reports, unlimited email access to ask questions or get training help...all geared to keeping you motivated and working towards improving as a player.

If you'd like more information on the program (and spaces are limited and filling up fast), email me at elitecoaching@basketballsuccess.com.


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Return to Basketball Success for more great professional-level playing tips.

Check out this great basketball drills page for more drills to help you improve as a player.

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How Good is Dwight Howard?

The Orlando Magic played the Lakers last night and I realized how good Dwight Howard is. He is getting better each and every game. And in addition to his basketball talent, he's an unbelievable athletic talent: he's tall, strong, quick, can jump out of the gym...I mean, what's there not to like about this guy?

Well, there is one thing: he needs to become a better free throw shooter. The Magic lost to the Lakers by 3 points last night and Howard shot 7-for-16 from the free throw line. You read that correctly. He shot 44% from the free-throw line, missing a total of 9 free throws.

That's flat-out awful. Of course, there's no telling if the Magic would have won the game had he shot better from the free throw line. But if he could have just made a couple more...who knows if what kind of impact that might have had on the outcome of the game?

So remember: being a complete player means playing great offense and defense, and good free throw shooting is part of that. Work on your free throws and you'll be a better player and help your team win games. Period.


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Newsletter Sign-Up

Don't forget to go to Basketballsuccess.com and sign up for our free email newsletter. It goes out twice a month (or more often) and has great information and playing tips to help you become a better player.

Our next issue is going out tomorrow (Monday the 8th), and you won't want to miss it. So go to our website now (click here), and sign-up for the newsletter. You won't be disappointed.

And don't forget: our website is packed with professional-level playing tips, drills, and articles on taking your game to the next level. So between our website, and our email newsletter, you've got all the tools and online coaching resources you need to really improve as a player.


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Return to Basketball Success for more great professional-level playing tips.

Check out this great basketball drills page for more drills to help you improve as a player.

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NBA-Level Offensive Tip: Change of Pace

If you watch big-time NBA scorers, one thing you'll notice is that they utilize change of pace to their advantage. What exactly does this mean?

It means that they'll dribble the ball at one speed, and then explode past the defender with a burst of speed. Or they'll make a cut to the basket, and then explode with a burst of speed in the other direction to get by their defender and get open for a pass.

Remember this as you play. Changing pace, and using explosive moves (with or without the ball) are key ways to improve as an offensive player. Explosive moves, and changes of pace, keep the D guessing, keep them off-balance, and give you the advantage.

For more great playing tips like this, don't forget to visit or basketball tips pages on Basketballsuccess.com.


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Return to Basketball Success for more great professional-level playing tips.

Check out this great basketball drills page for more drills to help you improve as a player.

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