Originally Posted by
Dark Horse
Motivation is crucial. But you have to pick your spots carefully, and not assume that you already know how to recognize it based on two or three guidelines somebody once wrote (common mistake). For a crash course in motivation, watch every single game of your local NBA team this season. Chances are you'll start seeing things you never considered before. In my opinion NBA is best for this, because of two elements:
1) clear high/low motivational fluctuations during season, as well as in-game; NBA season is much too long to be 'up' every night (forget college basketball, where non-motivated players are immediately benched).
2) lots of scoring; more opportunity for motivation, and motivational fluctuations, to translate into scoreline.
Do not listen to 'math geniuses' in the think tank for this stuff. It's not the same side of the brain. Instead, listen to Magic Johnson, and other former basketball players (not named Charles Barkley) that comment on games. Suns commentator Eddie Johnson is very good for the inside scoop.