Teamwork vs talent. This is what exactly describes how the NBA 2008 finals, where the Celtics met the Lakers. Celtics with the reputation of being the best defensive team and have the big three: Garnett, Pierce, and Allen; and Lakers with the 2008 Season MVP Kobe Bryant.
And we all know the end story: Celtics smashed Lakers 131-92 in the last game, won the finals, and got their 17th title. This heroic story also completed when their captain and leader Paul Pierce received the MVP for finals.
Kobe who has been outstanding throughout the 2008 play-off and the season, scoring amazing points, wasn’t as good as usual in the finals. And when their top scorer was off-form, the other Lakers team mates couldn’t replace him. I must say that the Lakers success this year was purely because of Kobe’s performance, it wasn’t because of an overall team’s performance.
This wasn’t happening in Celtics. Yes they have the big three, but what made their victory was more because of their team effort. Their defense job was outstanding, and their average point scoring per player wasn’t amazing but distributed evenly to all the players. When Kevin Garnett was off-form, they still have Ray Allen & Paul Pierce. When Ray Allen was off-form, they still have the other 2 guys around. Their coach Doc Rivers knew this and optimized this very well.
The moral of the story? Be a successful team player, not just a successful player. A good team with a bit above the average members, will produce a better result than a team with single outstanding player. Be patient, your personal success will follow, when your team’s success has been achieved.
Congratulations Celtics..!!
