My 2cents:

Poker is 1/2 left brain and 1/2 right brain. To be good at poker, you must excel at both halfs. Do not sacrifice one for the other and do not create contradictions between the 2.

One could also agrue that poker is all math.. there is the obvious math/statisitics of the cards (pot odds, ev, implied odds, etc) and there are the intangible statistics based on the situation (intimidation, bluffing, opp playing style, position, emotions, etc). Arguably, you will never become a decent poker player w/o understand the direct odds (e.g. pot odds, etc). Also, you will never become a great poker player w/o understand the less-so-obvious odds (e.g. conditional probabability).

I would suggest the best poker players understand the conditional odds so well where it has translated into "gut-feel" and "tuition".. What do top poker players recommend? Read some books, understand the odds, and play, play, play...

Why is there an emphasis on direct odds? Its easier to know "black" from "white" (you cant ever go wrong improving this knowledge set). However, the conditional odds is all up for debate based on experience, playing style (e.g. Lagg vs tagg). Since its not as concrete its a bit harder to give correct advise and therefore easier to give wrong advise.