“To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means to preserve peace” said George Washington. While I do not know much about warfare, I interpret this to mean that getting the foundations right allows you the freedom to operate on a higher level.
If you master the basics about your craft, it becomes automatic, and you have thus won that battle. You are then free to be creative with your craft, to create something more.
The greatest coaches in sport focus on the fundamentals, and that is for a reason. Practice, practice, practice.