It doesn’t matter how well you knew my game. It doesn’t matter if?we played against each other for years, or were even teammates for?a stretch. None of that helped you guard me.

Yes, you might have known I preferred to go one way. That didn’t?ultimately matter, because I could just as easily go the other way.?Yeah, you might have also thought you knew my cadence and?rhythm, except—I didn’t have one. I made a point to adjust the pace?of my attack to throw defenders off. In essence, the more you?thought you knew about my game, the harder it would actually be?to guard me.

You can pick up a nuance or weakness by studying tape and paying?attention during workouts. In fact, I was constantly scouting?teammates and opponents. I would learn how physically complete?their game was, how perseverant they were, and identify?weaknesses right there and then. I would file that away until we?eventually played against each other.

I did this in the off-season too, and during my stint with Team USA.?Particularly, I used to relentlessly tease LeBron and KD about their?lack of skills in the post. To their credit, however, they developed?that part of their game and now can operate comfortably down?there.

What separates great players from all-time great players is their?ability to self-assess, diagnose weaknesses, and turn those flaws into?strengths.