Is it simply about the guys getting along well? Other tangibles? Does this team have (or will have) it that you can tell?
I think it's when the guys are as tight off the court as on. Of course there are examples of great teams in the past where the stars couldn't stand each other, but knew what to do when they walked on the court. The team a few years back was really close. Travis, Brandon, Jarrett Jack.......... you saw it again with Nic, Rudy and Patty. As far as this team is concerned, haven't had any road trips to observe the chemistry yet.
Last season was interesting that, I never saw Brandon and 'Dre interact whatsoever on the plane or at the hotel. On the other hand, Andre seemed close to Wes and Dante. Joel and LA were cool with each other. And Rudy and LA as well.
IMO, chemistry isn't about how the players interact off the court because it doesn't take them to be friends to understand each of their respected games, but more of a general respect for each other. It's understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your teammates, knowing their tendencies, what are they most likely going to do during here and there, what are they going to be doing here and there, being able to play without vocals as you can speak through each others eyes. i.e. Camby's ally oop passes to LMA is an example of that. I don't think it takes LMA or Camby to buy each other breakfast in bed to make that happen. I think the chemistry on the court leads to more friendlier interaction off the court.
I think this is more accurate. But not as interesting and nice to think about. P.S. I caught this quote reply inbetween your ninja edit.
This is the opposite of what the Oregonian values, and you are right. Setting itself up as the town moral arbiter, all the paper cares about is off-court behavior.
While I think that you are correct that the final assessment of chemistry is determined on the court, developing that chemistry often occurs off the court. It's not needed, but it is certainly beneficial to team unity when the players actually like eachother. The reason is that friendship breeds respect, and that respect is then translated to the hardwood. Also, when you are friends, you can talk more honestly with eachother, and honesty can bring about realizations in how one plays the game. Taking the earlier example of Camby and LMA, being friends would not only allow Camby to point out to Aldridge that he should square up quicker to box out for rebounds, but it also allows Aldridge the chance to honestly hear what Camby is saying since his guard is down when he is shooting the shit with a friend. So off the court closeness can lead to on the court improvements and better understanding of teammate reactions.
The only person I have chemistry on here with is BeerBoy...... and that's cause we both hook up with his wife!
