Talent, leadership, and identity

Greenspan 101

G-League
No one can argue that these three attributes separate contenders from pretenders:
1) Talent, of course, being healthy players that show they have the skills to excel
2) Leadership, be it players and/or coaching
3) Identity, meaning what makes a team a team.

The Kings have struggled this season because of some lack of leadership, but mainly an absence of identity. Look at the teams we know are going to be contenders, and we all can see they have an identity: Detroit (known for superior team defense and offensive chemistry), San Antonio (defensive-minded core with enough individual offensive talent to beat almost anyone on almost any night), Phoenix (soft on defense, but unmatched in the open court). No team in any sport in at least the last decade has won on talent alone aside from the Yankees, what, six years ago?

Artest will strengthen the Kings' two weaknesses, leadership and identity. Sure there are more talented players, but most significant is that Artest should improve the team core with adding instant leadership and help develop an identity. Things should be looking up!
 
I think we may just have gotten a nice boost in leadership, which could well lead to an identity.

The pieces to the puzzle still don't fit exactly IMHO. This is simply a step in the transition process...
 
There have been a few instances in recent memory where a new addition brings immediate success. Shaq and Nash brought all three elements to their new teams last season, Detroit won 10 or so consecutive games when Rasheed arrived, etc.

It seems much easier for a new player to make an immediate impact on a team's identity and overall leadership in the NBA than in other sports (how often does a Tom Brady emerge? Once in a franchise's history. How many big-name impact players did the Steelers and Seahawks add to their rosters this year? Zero). I'm not sure if Artest is such a player that can create a long-term identity to build on for the future while at the same time bringing enough leadership to gear this team into being a contender this season. We all know that this team should be good next year and so on, but this season...? Anyone?
 
VF21 said:
I think we may just have gotten a nice boost in leadership, which could well lead to an identity.

The pieces to the puzzle still don't fit exactly IMHO. This is simply a step in the transition process...

Oops, maybe I should read the previous posts a little closer before posing questions! Oh well.
 
VF21 said:
I think we may just have gotten a nice boost in leadership, which could well lead to an identity.

The pieces to the puzzle still don't fit exactly IMHO. This is simply a step in the transition process...

Ditto.
 
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