When do you go for 72-10?

[ChrisWoj]

So, here's an interesting question. And yes it was the Heat that got me thinking about it - but it doesn't necessarily pertain to them and them alone. Other dynastic squads will come along in the future, so apply it as a general question.

Most championship caliber teams focus on one thing: the playoffs. They go for a 1 or 2 seed to put themselves in prime position for court advantage. They back off of their starters to keep them rested for the playoffs, playing bench guys more. But at what point does the mentality flip? After two rings? After three?

To use the present example: lets say the Heat do pull off their second ring in a row this year. Do Lebron and company rest up this summer, and then go for broke from the start next year? Saying - look, we've proven we can win the rings. Lets just go at people, run the starters out there hardcore, play it like the playoffs from the beginning?

Does a team ever do that? Even after three titles is a squad still thinking purely of the next title? Or do they decide they've proven what they need to, and go for some records?

A good example is San Antonio, in my eyes... back when they were winning rings, it seemed like they weren't a prime regular season squad. And Pop still seems to pick and choose games to rest the starters that he throws away... but remember at one point they were all about just getting to the playoffs healthy. Last few years, even as people keep saying they're going to get old any minute now... they are coming away with some amazing regular season records. Did Pop just decide: hey, I've got my rings, lets see how many games we can win?

I know obviously that he isn't going full bore for broke in the regular season, but his opinion on regular season wins has obviously changed.

So when does a team's mentality change? Do you think it does at all?

[Dee-Zy]

I thought about it too.

I think it happens in the perfect storm:

1. With a ultra competitive player with a killer instainct who leads the team and can get them fired up for each of 82 games.
2. When a team feels that they have something to prove.
3. The players actually gets motivated and come together to achieve the feat.

[e-monk]

dont forget watered down league (and ps the heat have 14 losses so they probably needed to start before now)

[Diable]

The Bulls did it because they wanted to be remembered as the greatest team ever. There'd never be a reason to try to win 72. If you wanted to better them you'd need 73.

[e-monk]

the 76ers did it after the league expanded by a couple teams, the lakers did it at the height of the ABA schism, the bulls did it after rapid expansion and the salary cap had been set in place

[Dee-Zy]

Originally Posted by e-monk

dont forget watered down league (and ps the heat have 14 losses so they probably needed to start before now)

I thought about it 10 games into the season. I didn't believe it was happening by the way Wade was playing and by watching the composure of the role players. The fire wasn't there.

I don't think The Heat will ever go for the record unless something dramatic happens like a death in the management or something.

[ChrisWoj]

Originally Posted by Dee-Zy

I thought about it too.

I think it happens in the perfect storm:

1. With a ultra competitive player with a killer instainct who leads the team and can get them fired up for each of 82 games.
2. When a team feels that they have something to prove.
3. The players actually gets motivated and come together to achieve the feat.

Your second qualifier is really the big thing. "Feels that they have something to prove." - I feel like that is the team that is still looking for rings. I feel like the team that goes for the record would feel like they have less to prove, they're essentially throwing all caution to the wind, they've got rings - and they don't NEED to prove themselves anymore.

Though it could be considered simply another way of proving themselves, they'd be a team that has ALREADY shown the world what they can do.

Originally Posted by Diable

The Bulls did it because they wanted to be remembered as the greatest team ever. There'd never be a reason to try to win 72. If you wanted to better them you'd need 73.

Thanks Captain Obvious, your input is oh so valued. You know what I meant by that: going after the record.

[kbdullah]

You go for it if you're at or near the pace needed to attain it, and you have nothing else to motivate your team (ie, there's great distance b/w you and the next closest team, #1 overall seed basically locked up).

[Luke]

Expansion expansion expansion.

Not trying to discredit MJ's bulls here, but the '96 team isn't even the consensus best Chicago team ever let alone best all time.

I'd rather have the '93 or something bulls with MJ still at his peak.


Sent from Verticalsports.com Free App

[Hyperion]

Expansion? That's just a crutch used to try and discredit great feats. There are a few stars, and a whole lot of NBA caliber bench players not in the league.

As for OP, I would say a zeroed in leader and a number 2 that has completely bought into that concept. The Bulls had three of the most hard working players in the league when they were on the court. Rodman, Pippen, and Jordan were probably the biggest hustlers on the court in the 90s. They never took a night off. After that, everyone else fell into place.

[Sir Patchwork]

Expansion played a big enough role, but I think Jordan's relentless approach, Pippen's consistency with Phil's mental mastery was a pretty big factor too. You don't have to discredit those things to acknowledge the league was a little watered down at the time. It is pretty amazing that they could win 72, and still have it in them to go all 4 rounds and win the chip.

I don't see any reason to "go for the record" although if you come to play every night and you win every night, that would be the result. Mavericks did this and won 69 (or 67? can't remember) but got bounced in the 1st round. I don't think teams go for the record. They just relentlessly work on perfecting their execution. I think title teams realize that 6 months of balls out effort to perfect execution can take it's toll when May and June come around. Execution is nothing if you're fatigued. For that reason, they probably subconsciously find pockets during the season to rest and minimize the damage as much as possible on their win/less record.

[ChrisWoj]

Originally Posted by Sir Patchwork

Expansion played a big enough role, but I think Jordan's relentless approach, Pippen's consistency with Phil's mental mastery was a pretty big factor too. You don't have to discredit those things to acknowledge the league was a little watered down at the time. It is pretty amazing that they could win 72, and still have it in them to go all 4 rounds and win the chip.

I don't see any reason to "go for the record" although if you come to play every night and you win every night, that would be the result. Mavericks did this and won 69 (or 67? can't remember) but got bounced in the 1st round. I don't think teams go for the record. They just relentlessly work on perfecting their execution. I think title teams realize that 6 months of balls out effort to perfect execution can take it's toll when May and June come around. Execution is nothing if you're fatigued. For that reason, they probably subconsciously find pockets during the season to rest and minimize the damage as much as possible on their win/less record.

The main point was - at what point have you won enough championships that you say "Okay, whatever if we're tired in the playoffs so be it, lets do this."

[Sir Patchwork]

Originally Posted by ChrisWoj

The main point was - at what point have you won enough championships that you say "Okay, whatever if we're tired in the playoffs so be it, lets do this."

There is no amount of championships you could win that would make it acceptable to shrug off the playoffs in favor of regular season dominance.

[ChrisWoj]

Originally Posted by Sir Patchwork

There is no amount of championships you could win that would make it acceptable to shrug off the playoffs in favor of regular season dominance.

I don't know if I'd call it shrugging off, so much as saying - lets get this. We've proven we're good enough to just run through the playoffs. So, whatever we'll worry about that when it comes.

[Dee-Zy]

Originally Posted by Sir Patchwork

There is no amount of championships you could win that would make it acceptable to shrug off the playoffs in favor of regular season dominance.

Agreed, unless it is a ridiculous number like 12 chips in a row or something.