[Saba Sports News] In the modern NBA, the style of play is very different from the past. In the past, many teams relied on the individual high-scoring performances of one or two stars, relying on the single-player brilliance of superplayers to lead the team to victory. However, this approach is increasingly difficult to work in today’s alliance. If a team relies on only one or two players to score, and other role players can’t provide enough support for the team, it will be difficult for them to stand out in a competitive environment. For example, Fox scored 60 points in a recent game, but the Kings still ended up losing because other players scored too few points against a significantly better overall opponent. Therefore, team cooperation and team basketball become particularly important. Only by truly realizing team cooperation can we win the championship.
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The Golden State Warriors have been one of the most successful NBA teams in recent years, reaching the Finals six times and winning four championships in the past 10 years. Its most recent title came in 2022, when the Warriors had already begun a transition away from a game that relied on a single star to score in favor of more emphasis on passing organization and teamwork. According to a report by NBA data experts, the Warriors have ranked first in the league in passes and assists per game for the past three seasons.
Warriors Coach Steve Kerr has adopted a more flexible approach this season, particularly using a 12-man rotation to get as many players in the game as possible. That approach stands in contrast to Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, who favors an eight-man rotation and tends to rely heavily on key players. In the Warriors’ game against the Grizzlies, for example, Kerr rotated 13 players, each playing 10 minutes or more, and each scored, with seven scoring in double figures. In the end, the Warriors won easily. Against the Thunder, the Warriors rotated 12 players and 11 players scored in a blowout win.
This all-in, team-based approach has enabled the Warriors to show a strong overall strength in the game, and their success proves that in the modern NBA, team basketball is the best way to win a championship.