Gilbert and several other NBA players talked to Men’s Fitness about tips they would give players that want to improve their game.  Arenas job was to give advice on mental toughness.  Here’s what he had to say:

“Basketball is all mental. Everyone’s talent is the same, but the mental aspect separates stars from superstars.”

He also added talked about developing his mental approach to taking game winners:

“When we play pickup games, I won’t shoot the ball until it’s the last shot. I’m the only one who’s going to take it all the way until we lose or we win. I’ve been doing that for the last three years. You have to have that mind-set: If you don’t make it, you have to live with it. As many shots as Michael Jordan’s made, he’s missed three times as many.”

I’d say that it works.