“We win because we play together as a team.”
– John Havlicek, (b. 1940), legendary NBA player known for his effort and his commitment to the team
It would be very difficult to argue that John Havlicek isn’t one of the three or four best teammates in sports history. His Boston Celtics team won eight NBA world championships including four in a row to begin his career. No other player in history has gone 8-0 in NBA Finals. And he did it with an ever-changing cast of teammates. They won, he points out, because they played together — as a team.
So, what makes a great teammate on a championship team?
Selflessness. Sacrifice. Devotion. Combine those three with effort, commitment, savvy and talent and any player becomes a great teammate, and likely a champion, too — regardless of who’s on the team. Regardless of who’s coaching the team.
In a career, we’re lucky to be around a handful of great teammates. I spent the day with one on Tuesday.
The best we can do is look forward, see the contest unfolding and put ourselves in the best position to win.
It makes a difference.
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