Great players constantly do things that others don't. It has very little to do with skills or even athleticism. If you want to make it as a player, why not duplicate what great basketball players have always done? Do you want to know what they do?

Offensively

Great players

:
• Catch the ball on a triple threat position (Don't dribble right away)
• Minimize dribbling. Great offensive players only need 2 dribbles to beat their defender.
• Are able to go both ways (left and right)
• Always make the right decision (shoot, pass, dribble at the right person at the right time)
• Screen away from the ball for their teammates (and open up to the ball after the screen)
• Always know clock and score
• Are vocal - Help teammates get in the right position
• Know their teammates, and pass to the right person at the right time
• Don't yell at the refs (ok they do sometimes, but it's bad!)
• Crash the boards (and don't get boxed out)
• Know how to position themselves to get in the right passing lanes
• Don't jump to pass the ball
• Throw strong chest passes
• Use screens to perfection (Curl, fade...)
• Don't turn the ball over (especially not in the last 5 minutes)
• Listen to the coaches during time outs
• Run the floor in transition (everyone in their lanes with space)

Defensively

Great players

:
• Don't give up middle penetration
• Make offensive players take more than 2 dribbles to beat them
• Are in great defensive stance the entire defensive sequence
• Contest all shots. ALL SHOTS!
• Are always in good position (Deny or help side)
• Are extremely vocal (I got ball or I got your help...)
• GET AFTER IT!
• Box out physically
• Get loose balls
• Always see the man they guard and the ball when they're away from the ball
• Take charges
• Never foul a jump shooter
• Never get screened
• Hedge screens hard
• Never let their man cut in the paint
• Don't allow backdoor cuts