As a high school basketball coach I have the unfortunate opportunity to choose players for my team. This is truly a double-edged sword. On one hand, I get to hand choose the players I want for the team. On the other hand, I have to cut some players who simply just aren’t up to par. However, there is more to the decision than just basketball skills. There are intangibles that are involved as well. If you have played NBA 2K8 at all then you’ll realize that you too will have to make some tough decision about the players on your team. Let’s take a more in-depth look at this process.

NBA 2K8 allows you, the user, to jump into the chair(s) of the coach and general manager of a NBA franchise.  Now you have to deal with the player’s attitudes as well, just like a real coach.  A unique feature that allows the attitudes and goals of an individual player to affect your team means that you will have to make some of the same tough decisions that I have to make every year.  What’s the best way to make those decisions?  Well, there are a few factors that you have to examine before you make your choices. 

The goal is to have the best TEAM possible.  I emphasize team because it is important.  It’s easy to have a group of the best basketball players together and expect that you’re going to win every time you step on the court (see USA Basketball).  However, you may have to stay away from some of those players and take players that may be less skilled simply for the good of your team.  Each team usually has a combination of the following roles: superstars (best players), defensive specialists, “glue” players, hustle players, and practice players.  In order to be a successful team each player has to know his/her role and not only know it, but accept it.  The best teams have an appropriate balance of these roles. 

Your superstars are just that…superstars.  They are your best players.  They are the players that you count on in clutch situations.  Most of the time the superstars are high maintenance, meaning they require a lot of individualized attention. They require large amounts of attention and large amounts of shot attempts.  There have been teams that have been successful without a true superstar but it is rare.  Every team needs a go-to player and that’s usually your superstar.  Examples would be Tim Duncan, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash. 

Having more than one of these on a team usually results in someone being unhappy (Kobe and Shaq anyone?).  If you have more than one you better be prepared to be a counselor to each one of them.  You’ll also need a large bucket of water to put out all the fires that will be started between them.  There are apparent anomalies though.  Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen would be the exception…right now.  Everyone is holding their collective breaths because it all seems too good to be true right now.  And you know what they say about those things.  If it seems too good to be true then it usually is.

Having superstars also means that you need to have some defensive specialists because more than likely your superstar is not going to play defense.  Michael Jordan was an exception to this rule but check the film.  When the game was on the line, Jordan was guarding an average player while Scottie Pippen was guarding the other team’s best player.  Your superstar is too important to you offensively and if he gets into foul trouble then you lose your offensive firepower.  Having one or two defensive specialists will minimize the lack of defense.  Most good defensive players can cover for one other player so it helps balance out the team.  Bruce Bowen of the Spurs is the best example of this today. 

Your “glue” players hold the team together.  They are usually veterans that aren’t quite superstars but have been through the battles on the court and have a wisdom that is necessary to keep your team focused for the long haul.  These players keep the locker room loose and are generally people-people.  They love their teammates and they just want to win so they make an effort to relate to each player and help squash any problems that arise before you have to deal with them.  Derek Fisher is a great example of a modern day “glue” player.  Teams rally around and stick to their “glue” players.

Hustle players just go all out, all the time.  They do not take plays off.  Their motors run all the time and they do all the little things.  You may have to sacrifice some skill to have these players but it is worth it once they come up with a crucial loose ball toward the end of a big game.  Just make sure you have plenty of bandages available because floor burns are a staple of the hustle player’s diet. 

Your practice players make up the remainder of your team.  Please don’t overlook these guys.  Even though they may not play much they are a vital part of the team.  Many times the practice players are required to run an opponent’s offensive and defensive sets to give your starters a chance to play against them before the real game.  Keeping a practice player happy means that they will continue to perform a key role on your team.  Without these players it’s difficult to have a successful practice and be prepared for the next opponent. 

As you can see, there are several pieces to the puzzle.  They all fit in some place but you, the coach, must decide where each piece goes and what pieces fit with others.  Sometimes it is clear to see where the pieces go.  Other times it appears as if the puzzle is actually double-sided.  Determine your strengths, weaknesses, and your playing style and philosophy then decide which pieces of the puzzle are right for you.