Team Leader

Post #1 » by **Miller4ever** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 7:09 pm

I've said this in the past, and I'll say it again, but this time Bird came out and said it:

We lack leadership. You know the guy who, during the crucial moments in the game comes out and says, "you guys can depend on me, and I'm willing to take responsibility for the win, and responsibility for the loss". Right now during crunch time too many of our guys are playing scared. When we were having success with Jamaal, it's because he wasn't afraid to at least attempt to get stuff going (he wasn't good at it, but at least he was trying, and our record looks better when he does alright when making decisions.)

Any trade we would've pulled would not have solved this problem. Getting Vince might've a little bit, but he's not always the takeover man. The last person who gave us that energy was Reggie Miller. He shouldered the blame as well as the glory.

bballpacen · Post #2 » by **bballpacen** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 7:12 pm

This was obvious to those of us who have followed the Pacers. I dont know how have hinted otherwise. And obviously there would have been no deal that would have brought us that "leader" but at this point, with the roster that we have, LB needs not be looking for a leader type player, unless we got one on the cheap...

Post #3 » by **Grang33r** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 7:58 pm

Get the new issue of Slam to see who our new leader is...... Danny Granger. It's a great article. Granger says that JO has sat down with him and tells Granger its now his team and he needs to step up. He needs to be the man. Granger says it's a learning expierence but he's willing to take that role. And they mentioned several details that would seem he is the closest thing we got to a leader. During TO's he spoke out, he's guaranteed a playoff spot and always talks highly of this team.

Post #4 » by **count55** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:04 pm

Hey, let's kind of set a benchmark.

Who are the teams that actually have team leaders (as I think we're defining it here)?

I betcha there aren't very many...I need to think on it, but it's definitely one of those "easier said than done" things.

Post #5 » by **Grang33r** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:08 pm

count55 wrote:Hey, let's kind of set a benchmark.

Who are the teams that actually have team leaders (as I think we're defining it here)?

I betcha there aren't very many...I need to think on it, but it's definitely one of those "easier said than done" things.

We also need a definition of a leader.... like, is Dwight Howard a leader? Or is he just Orlando's best player?

harding156 · Post #6 » by **harding156** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:12 pm

JO was never a leader, so that doesn't really mean much. I'm not saying Granger can't be a leader, but being appointed the leader and actually being a leader are two totally different things.

Post #7 » by **Miller4ever** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:14 pm

Leader-n.-A man who speaks for the team, speaks to the team, garners respect, puts fans in the seats, takes responsibility for losses as well as wins, and is willing to do anything to win, even if it means taking a game over or sitting down honorably.

xxSnEaKyPxx · Post #8 » by **xxSnEaKyPxx** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:17 pm

With the passion I saw in Granger at the end of the Cavs game, I think he has it in him. I haven't seen that kind of passion since Reggie. I hope Granger grabs the bull by the horns.

Post #9 » by **count55** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:21 pm

Grang33r wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

We also need a definition of a leader.... like, is Dwight Howard a leader? Or is he just Orlando's best player?

Not to comment on Howard, but I would say that Reggie was our leader long after he was no longer our best player. So it's not the most talented player. It's "the guy".

Post #10 » by **Miller4ever** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:25 pm

Celtics-KG
Nets-was J-Kidd two years ago, will be no one
Knicks-No one
76ers-Igoudala is shaping into one
Raptors-Bosh
Bulls-No one, but their plethora of guards share the burden
Cavs-Gee, I wonder...LeBron?
Pistons-Billups
Pacers-Reggie Miller
Bucks-Redd
Hawks-Joe Johnson
Bobcats-No one, yet, unless MJ counts
Heat-Wade
Magic-Dwight is a leader, also, because he has the takeover ability, not just a stat-maker
Wizards-Arenas
Warriors-Baron Davis
Clippers-Cassell, despite his age
Lakers-"Hmmm...I'd say Luke Walton"-Bill Walton
Suns-Nash
Kings-No one, especially sans Bibby
Hornets-Chris Paul
Mavs-Dirk CAN, but when he shies away Josh Howard pick sup the slack, and now Kidd might be the guy, given time.
Spurs-Duncan
Grizzlies-No one
Nuggets-Allen Iverson; Melo's still mellow
T'Wolves-No one
Blazers-Brandon Roy
Supersonics-Durant will be
Jazz-Carlos Boozer, IMO.

xxSnEaKyPxx · Post #11 » by **xxSnEaKyPxx** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:45 pm

Iggy whines too much to be a leader.

joew8302 · Post #12 » by **joew8302** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:56 pm

Someone else alluded to this, but what exactly is Danny Granger going to learn about leadership talking to Jermaine O'Neal? That would be like talking to Jamal Tinsley on how to live a wholesome life.

harding156 · Post #13 » by **harding156** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:17 pm

joew8302 wrote:Someone else alluded to this, but what exactly is Danny Granger going to learn about leadership talking to Jermaine O'Neal? That would be like talking to Jamal Tinsley on how to live a wholesome life.

Stop agreeing with me, that's not how things are supposed to work around here.

fdefore · Post #14 » by **fdefore** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:32 pm

arenas is not the leader for the wizards. he is the star. antawn jamison is the leader without question.

...Speaking of Blatche. I witnessed a funny but telling exchange between Jamison and Blatche before the game. Blatche was sitting at his locker with about 45 minutes left before tip when Jamison walked over to his spot two stalls way and started playfully eyeballing Blatche. Finally, Blatche looked up.

Jamison to me: "What time is it?

Me to Jamison: "It's like 6:15"

Jamison, turning his attention to Blatche: "You were an all star this year or something?"

Blatche says nothing. Smiles, knowing where this is going.

Jamison: "You making 15 or 16 million or something like that?

Blatche: "No." More smiling.

Jamison: "Then why did you come over on the second bus? I ain't coming over on the second bus. Why you coming over on the second bus."

(Aside: The team can take two buses to the arena from the hotel. The first comes over early so guys can get in some early shooting, a lift, treatment, whatever. The second comes later.)

Jamison, continuing: "I've been in the league nine (darn) years and I've never come over on the second bus. OK, maybe in Dallas a couple of times because I wanted out of there. I'm never on the second bus. Why you on the second bus."

Blatche: nodding. smiling. saying nothing.

Translation: If you want it young fella, you better come get it. At least that's how I read the situation.

Wizards Insider - April 12, 2007

JarrettJackSG · Post #15 » by **JarrettJackSG** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 12:42 am

I thought Butler is the leader..

Anyway, Granger isn't our leader. One of the reasons I'm so down on Granger is that he hasn't shown me that he can be the no.1, the guy who wants the ball and who can carry the team. With all his talent, I've seen him settle outside too much, seen him too afraid to call for the ball, to carry this team as his team.

Post #16 » by **Miller4ever** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 6:31 am

fdefore wrote:arenas is not the leader for the wizards. he is the star. antawn jamison is the leader without question.

Yep, my bad. Totally forgot about that guy.