I think this part is speculation. He may work super hard but still have trouble grasping things.
When I first started playing basketball in high school, I had a really difficult time with concepts. I was extremely book smart, but I just couldn't grasp court tactics. It took me well into college (watching relatively constantly) before I started picking up nuances before not caring anymore.
The point is: someone can be passionate about it and work hard at it, but sometimes some concepts are difficult to grasp. That's why people speak about a "light going on" because it suddenly makes sense. I think that's where Janis is. His interviews this year are a lot more humble, a lot more "I've got to keep working" and a lot less "I'm just waiting for the ball because I'm ready". We're still waiting for the light to go on, but I think he's finally on the right path.
Armchair sports psychoanalysis.