5 Best Basketball Speed Drills and Exercises Remember, successful athletes have a plan. Great basketball players don't go into the gym without a shooting routine and they don't go into the weightroom without having a program designed to make them a better athlete. If you have worked very hard on your basketball skills, better speed will allow you a chance to showcase these skills. -Offensively-speed will create space between you and your opponent which creates more open shots. -Defensively-speed