NBA: How do you define a leader on a championship team?

[monosylab1k]

robert horry is the GOAT leader

Hitting big shots and being counted on to consistently hit big shots are two very different things.

[Infinite_limit]

imo, last two minutes of Game 7, game is tied. Who does everyone say "This guy has to deliver RIGHT NOW. We will lose unless he pulls through"

Most teams it's obvious (2011 Mavs & Dirk, 2008 Celtics & Pierce), sometimes not so much. Even last year's Spurs with Kawhi as MVP, I think in the above scenario all eyes are still on Duncan.

Sometimes the 'Difference Maker' is defensively. Play out your scenario but on Defense.

But you are correct, for Champions it is overwhelming the Go-To-Scorer. Exceptions
- 2014 Spurs: Best shot available
- 2006 Heat: That was Shaq's team
- 200? Lakers: Pick a specific year, Shaq's team but not shot taker
- 1995 Rockets: Maybe Drexler takes the final shot?
- 199? Pistons: Alot of leaders, Isiah would handle ball but find an open shot

[monosylab1k]

Sometimes the 'Difference Maker' is defensively. Play out your scenario but on Defense.

But you are correct, for Champions it is overwhelming the Go-To-Scorer. Exceptions
- 2014 Spurs: Best shot available
- 2006 Heat: That was Shaq's team
- 200? Lakers: Pick a specific year, Shaq's team but not shot taker
- 1995 Rockets: Maybe Drexler takes the final shot?
- 199? Pistons: Alot of leaders, Isiah would handle ball but find an open shot

Calling the 06 Heat Shaq's team is a first ballot shoe-in for the NBA Forum ty Take Hall Of Fame.

And defense is important but it simply isn't as important as offense. There's a reason greatness is generally defined by offensive ability. Defense is mostly effort and communication. Putting the ball in the hoop at a championship level is world class talent.

[Infinite_limit]

Calling the 06 Heat Shaq's team is a first ballot shoe-in for the NBA Forum ty Take Hall Of Fame.

Shaq could have slapped Wade in practice and no one would have batted an eye

[monosylab1k]

Shaq could have slapped Wade in practice and no one would have batted an eye

Shaq got slapped by Ben Wallace in the playoffs and Wade picked him up and dragged him to a le.

[Phillip]

- 199? Pistons: Alot of leaders, Isiah would handle ball but find an open shot

Most of your list was crap, but this was the stupidest part yet. That team was undoubtedly Isiah's team.

[Malik Hairston]

There's a significant difference between "leader" and "best player", though.. , there's even a slight difference in "best player" and "#1 option", at times..

2014 Spurs- leader: Duncan best player: Duncan or Kawhi or Ginobili #1 option: Parker
2012 and 2013 Heat- leader: Wade? best player and #1 option: Lebron
2011 Mavs- leader: Kidd? Dirk? Chandler or Terry? best player and #1 option: Dirk
2009 and 2010 Lakers- leader: probably Fisher best player/#1 option: Kobe
2008 Celtics- leader and best player: Garnett #1 option: Pierce

etc, etc..

I would also argue that Phil Jackson himself was probably the leader of the Bulls and Lakers teams, actually..

[midnightpulp]

I'm a pragmatist about this. Since we don't have access to the lockerroom and huddles (outside of a few shots here and there), we can't determine who the "leader" is with any certainty, so I boil it down to which player is statistically most important to their team.

[ambchang]

Calling the 06 Heat Shaq's team is a first ballot shoe-in for the NBA Forum ty Take Hall Of Fame.

And defense is important but it simply isn't as important as offense. There's a reason greatness is generally defined by offensive ability. Defense is mostly effort and communication. Putting the ball in the hoop at a championship level is world class talent.

Shaq could have slapped Wade in practice and no one would have batted an eye

Shaq got slapped by Ben Wallace in the playoffs and Wade picked him up and dragged him to a le.

We all know the refs were the leaders for the 06 Mavs.