May 19 2008
No Team in I
Typically coaches, writers and fans use the cliche, “There is no I in team” when speaking about stars or talented players who tend to dominate their team’s play. But it does work both ways, sometimes the team doesn’t interject themselves into the I. In game 7 of the Boston/Cleveland series, both teams had success as teams, when their role players were effective, in addition to their stars.
Boston wins games when in addition to a solid game from Kevin Garnett or Paul Pierce, guys like Rajon Rondo, James Posey, Eddie House etc play their roles and make big plays in the form of nailing open shots, grabbing rebounds or loose balls. Conversely, Lebron benefits mightily from similar play out of Big Z, Delonte West, Wally Sczerbiak et. al.
As fans and the media, we constantly shine the spotlight on the stars for all their good and bad, and give a passing mention to the role players. This series completely showed how important the supporting cast in the NBA is. Pierce and Lebron played a classic duel, fit as much for the playground as the Garden, without PJ Brown’s defense, tenacity and rebounding in the final quarter, we might be lamenting Boston as a failure. If Ben Wallace was the rebounding force he was in Detroit, the last gasp miss by Lebron on a drive might have turned into a quick tip in, continuing the comeback push.
The talk around superstars constantly leads to, “does he make the players around him better?” Certainly, superstars can and probably should have that effect on the players around them, but it also takes a drive within those role players to make it happen. Take a look at Robert Horry. Did Hakeem Olajuwan make him better? or does he just have something internal which allows him to make those big shots he’s known for? He’s played with Olajuwan, Clyde Drexeler, Shaq, Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan, and has 7 championship rings. In many ways, he helped those players succeed as much as they helped him.
Late in games, the best players are double teamed and need someone to hit the shot they are unable to take. Michael Jordan had John Paxson for that. The best players need someone to find them open when they are being pushed around in the post. Tim Duncan has had Tony Parker for that.
The coaches of these teams need to find a way to keep the confidence and determination up in these players. Phil Jackson and Greg Popovich have been gurus at integrating role players.
More credit (and blame) needs to be spread to these role players. Zydrunas Ilgauskas is too big and good a player for Kendrick Perkins to hold him to 8 points and 5 rebounds. Ray Allen is too good a pure shooter to go 1-6 despite the attention paid to Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.
Without the support casts digging deep and stepping up, teams with superstars like Boston, Cleveland and New Orleans will never win a championship.
