Work Ethic, like running or jumping, is an NBA skill - and an important one. It doesn't supercede the others, but when comparing two otherwise comparable players, the harder working one will be better - and if the one works much harder than the other he will be much, much better. Let's call it the "Anti-Darius Factor" I think there has been some confusion. When KP talks about character, I think he mostly means work ethic. A good way to make your team have chemistry is to have your best players be hard workers, as pointed out in the article. However, Drexler wasn't known as much of a practice player, and that team had great chemistry. So, while it's a good way to build chemistry, it's not the only way.
Another thing the Spurs, and Blazers, have proven good at is finding gold late in drafts, especially with international players. Spurs got Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, Blazers got Sergio, Rudy & Batum as late draft picks. Parker and Ginbolili have been major players on the team and it looks like our 3 guys will be as well.
True, Clyde was the best player on those teams, but he wasn't the leader. When they added Buck Williams they got a hard working, no-nonse, leads by example player that helped pull everyone else together. That roster was also full of late picks and guys out of small schools that were career over achievers. Guys like Duck out of Eastern Illinois, Terry Porter out of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Jerome Kersey out of Longwood Community College were overlooked by most teams and we so happy to be in the NBA they worked their tails off to be the best they could be. BNM
In sports they are meaningless to me if they are not obtained through an entertaining style of play. For me anyway, Sports = Entertainment. That's what I watch them for.
Disagree with that. Duncan has generally scored in the low-twenties per game, on high efficiency. Oden definitely has the ability to match that, IMO.
The Spurs only suck to watch because they aren't Portland. If I was a Spur's fan, I would absolutely delight in their defensive punishment of other teams. If Portland ends up playing that way, and have the same level of success, I will be entertained. Dominance = Entertainment. Fast Paced team that looses many games = suck.
Don't chimps "approximate" the DNA of humans? A couple different links in the chain and there's no human. The Spurs did a BUNCH of things right, and getting Duncan (and keeping him) is right at the top of the list. The talk of chemistry is good and all, but I think it's superfluous compared to being able to make good decisions trading and during the draft... and getting lucky occasionally. Ed O.
Which could explain why you suggested Britney Spears be our next starting point guard over Steve Blake.
