So you want to make the NBA ???!!! Have you ever played the lottery? Did you know that last year more people won $1 million or more in state lotteries than were drafted by the NBA? Does that discourage you? Well, it shouldn't. It should just put things in perspective. It should get you focused on what you really need to do with your life. It's the simple truth that some of y'all need to be buying lottery tickets instead of shooting jump shots. Still, right now I'm going to give you the science on how to make the League. There are blessings from above involved, but it's all about how you use them. It isn't luck unless you're 7-3. I've been directly associated with numerous players who were trying to make it. I could give you 20 sure-shot drills that would make you better, but they still won't put you in the League. You have to understand the science, the mindset. The first thing you have to be is a specialist. Not one-dimensional, but the best at something. I know all your coaches are telling you that you have to learn the game and all that goes with it and that's true to an extent, but as an NBA player you have to be able to change the game with your one special talent. Think about it: every NBA player has one thing that no other 10 players in the world can do better. You want to make it on being a great athlete? Then you better have the athleticism of Tracy, Vince, or Kobe. Hit the plyometrics and whatever else it takes. You might look at those names and say they're great players, not specialists. Then add Darvin Ham to the list-he's a top-10 athlete. If you think you're a great shooter, can you shoot as well as Reggie or Peja? Average shooters don't make it, unless they have other unique abilities. GMs won't wait for your shot to develop; look at Fred Hoiberg or Eric Piatkowski. You can't miss open shots,ever. They don't. Think you belong on the next And 1 tour 'cause you can handle? Well, that's exactly where it will get you but not the NBA. A mixtape player uses a move to get by you , an NBA player uses a move to get from point A to point B. See: Stevie Franchise, Tony Parker, Steph Marbury. You know why a guy like Avery Johnson, who can't shoot, is too short, and is not a great leaper, played 12-plus years in the NBA? He can get into the paint with the rock, period. And please don't give me the Rafer Alston story, because he's not Skip to My Lou. Skip is his alter ego for summer time fun and shoe company cash. To make the League, he understands: point A to point B. How many times have you heard defense wins championships? Well, there's at least one person on each team solely because of their defensive ability but you have to be able to change the game. Think Zo Mourning, Gary Payton , Mutombo, Bruce Bowen and P J Brown, guys who can shut scorers down. The other parts of their games developed later. Check the early stats on these players and you'll see what kept them in the League. If you're a passer, good luck and blessings to you. There are so many great passers in the NBA, from Jason Kidd to Mark Jackson to the entire Sacramento team. You'd better see things on the floor that no one can see. Being a great passer hag a lot to do with insight, knowing where every player is or should be. Last but not least rebounds. Ben Wallace! End of story. Remember Charles Oakley? Dennis Rodman? If you're only grabbing 10 rebounds a game, you should be getting 20 points to go along with that. Ten is not absurd. Now, what makes a great player is being good in more than one category. A great player is always in at least three categories. So before you go around saying you're the next great one, understand the science. You also better figure out those 20 drills I talked about earlier. If not, the lottery happens every week at 7-11.