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Although there have been super teams in the past eras of NBA composed of at least three legitimate superstars in their lineups, the super teams of today have been products of instant-title mentality wherein legit superstars are joining fellow superstars for a chance to win an elusive ring.
Started by the Boston Celtics in 2008, when Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen formed a big three with Paul Pierce in Boston, the trend has continued and became a norm in today’s NBA. Although, a few seasons back, Karl Malone had tried to win a title by joining forces with Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant when he joined the Lakers as a free-agent. But the unheralded Detroit Pistons were able to thwart that formula leaving Malone without a ring in his retirement.
Also in Los Angeles, another pair of legit superstars Steve Nash and Dwight Howard signed with the Lakers to try to win with Kobe, only to struggle season long barely making the playoffs.
Until the biggest gathering of superstars happened when LeBron James left Cleveland to relocate in Miami with buddies Chris Bosch and Dwyane Wade. Ironically, Dallas Mavericks, a team bannered by one legit superstar Dirk Nowitzki, denied LeBron his first championship ring by winning it all defying all expectations. But the Big Three won back-to-back titles afterwards only to be denied of a third by San Antonio Spurs’ own version of Big Three, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.
LeBron would return to Cleveland forming a formidable trio with Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving, and would win another ring in four consecutive finals appearances. The three losses were dealt by a stronger Super Team, Golden State Warriors, who have managed to form a new dynasty in the NBA winning three titles in the last four seasons.
With all those mentioned successful and not-so-successful super-partnerships, what make the Golden State Warriors a clear cut above the rests?
#5 The coach
A legit winner in his time as an NBA player, Steve Kerr has successfully brought the winning attitude in Golden State the nonconventional way as he took over the coaching reins without any prior head-coaching experience and winning it all right there and then. It can be argued that he merely inherited the fruits of Mark Jackson’s labour but doing it almost every year thereafter ends the argument.
He may have developed a winning formula by perfectly combining his experiences as a teammate to all-time greats such as Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson, and Tim Duncan and playing under coaching greats Phil Jackson and Greg Popovich. Himself a dependable three-point shooter in his prime, even holding an NBA record for highest three-point percentage in a season at 52.4% until it was broken by Kyle Korver in 2010, he is definitely instrumental in turning the deadly hands of the Splash Brothers, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson as their prime offensive weapon.
#4 The system
Running a system that combines the elements of the triangle offense of Phil Jackson, the spacing and pace of Gregg Popovich, and the uptempo principles ran by Mike D'Antoni and Alvin Gentry in Phoenix when he was the GM, Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors were even deadlier in their second season together as they won 73 regular season games, breaking the all-time record of 72 previously held by Michael Jordan and Chicago Bulls, of which Steve Kerr was a part of. They would be denied of a back-to-back title, though, as LeBron James and the Cavaliers would overcome a 1-3 deficit to hand Cleveland its first NBA title.
The Warriors would win two consecutive titles afterwards thanks to a system that doesn’t need years to develop but can win multiple championships right away.
#3 Team chemistry
What set Steve Kerr apart from every other great coach is his ability to make superstars co-exist harmoniously and win right away. In fact, it even attracted Kevin Durant who ended his partnership with Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City just to have a legit chance of winning an NBA title.
Kerr did a very good job of making Durant buy into his system as he was able to manage to mix the two-time scoring champion with his already loaded offensive arsenal. As a result, Durant is now a two-time NBA champion after only two years.
And with DeMarcus Cousins joining in the fray just recently, there must be something in Steve Kerr’s team that attracts big-name players who want to win badly.
#2 Unselfishness
One glaring difference between those superteams who became unsuccessful and those who succeed has been the ability of each superstar to forget about himself for the sake of the team, a trait that denied the likes of Dwight Howard, and recently, Carmelo Anthony their championship aspirations.
Steve Kerr was successful not only in sharing ball possessions among his superstars but in making them share in his vision of winning year after year.
Which brings us to the last factor.
#1 Passion for winning
Of course, what brought this assembly of superstars together is their undying passion for winning. They have made the ultimate sacrifice, including money, just to be a part of the Golden State Warriors dynasty.
The balance of the league remains tilted heavily in their favour and with the entry of Cousins, it has added weight even more. As a result, more and more teams are going in their direction as if it’s the only formula for dislodging the Warriors at the top.
Houston Rockets who after coming ‘so near yet so far’ last season, has added Carmelo Anthony in their fold. LeBron James.
The Los Angeles Lakers are considered a superstar or two away from being a legit title contender.
And the Boston Celtics are expected to activate Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, adding the two to their young team who almost won the Eastern Conference last season.
A handful of teams may have been clearing some more salary cap spaces this year just to be able to have a shot at forming their own versions of “Super Teams”, but ultimately, it would probably take a lot more just to replace the Golden State Warriors on top.
