Intangibles are used often by fans, broadcasters, and even players in the NBA. A lot of them are disguised as clichés.
Having the “heart of a lion” means that a certain player is able to overcome adversity throughout the season or even in the middle of a game. Having “ice in your veins” means you have no problem being the one to take, and normally make, the last second shot at the end of games. Another often used cliché is having a “killer instinct” when a player knows when the game is in the balance and takes over.