Rocket Science: The Formula For a Championship

    As Yao Ming stood at the brink of emotional collapse in front of millions in his press-conference on Feb. 27, 2008 so did the Houston Rockets stand at the brink of not making the playoffs, despite winning twelve straight at the time. General manager Daryl Morey and others quickly realized that the team had only one option: Tracy McGrady. Newly instated yet experienced coach Rick Adelman realized that Yao was right: his fading second-option, Tracy McGrady would have to realize “now is your time”.

    Yet if championship was the mission for Houston, it fell far from reaching it almost immediately after that February press-conference. Championship formulas are not just won with great coaching, defense, team chemistry or potent offenses. It is won with talent too. Asides from T-Mac and defensive specialist, Shane Battier, Houston was left with two rookies, a 42 year old wagging finger, newly acquired and overrated Bobby Jackson when it faced Utah in game one of the playoffs. Before this year’s memorable season it was very well possible for a team without at least three stars to win a championship.

    Dwayne Wade’s Heat did it in 2006. Olajuwon did it by himself in 93 and with Drexler the following year. A more popular example would be the Michael’s Bulls (We go on a first name basis). Kareem and Magic. Finally even Isiah Thomas couldn’t get past Bird, McHale and Paris until Dumars joined him to beat the Celtics and Lakers in the 88-89 season.

    So here’s the point: The talent in the NBA has surged to an all-time high due to the international influx of talent and “royalty” players who look like they are forty years old when they are actually 21 (referring to Lebron if you did not catch that). Lebron James cannot and was not able to do it by himself last year And nor is T-Mac. Neither is Wade---not anymore.

    This realization puts teams like the Mavericks, Rockets, and Cavs among many other teams in a predicament: How can above-mediocre teams improve their talent level if they consistently make the playoffs? These teams can’t be in the lottery and everyone knows that there is a slim chance of landing a star player when you are picking in the late 20’s. Sure its possible…but I doubt fans or executives want to rely on probability. Maybe this is why the executives of the Portland Trailblazers have decided to stockpile their rosters with high-potential-superstar-in-development type players. With Roy, Aldridge, and Oden--who knows maybe even Michael Beasley if lightning strikes twice.

    The Suns, Spurs, Celtics, and Jazz are the only teams with championship caliber potential. The teams with a “close but not quite” formula are going to remain looking for an XYZ component and unfortunately for the NBA and fans, be unable to find that ultra-competitive counterpart. Though past evidence may not be consistent with the three-punch idea, but from now on all evidence will be.