In a modern NBA filled with superteams, organizations like the Portland Trail Blazers are a good reminder that chemistry and culture matter just as much as talent.
The summer of 2017 saw a movement of superstars, unlike anything we had ever seen before. Paul George and Carmelo Anthony were traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder to join Russell Westbrook. Chris Paul decided to team up with James Harden in Houston. Jimmy Butler went to a young Timberwolves team that featured two former number one overall picks in Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins following his trade request from the Bulls. Finally, Kyrie Irving shocked many fans by demanding a trade from the Cavaliers. He ended up with the Boston Celtics, who had just signed Gordon Hayward to pair with Al Horford.
The league quickly became an arms race for superstars, and in a way, it still is today. The Clippers, Knicks, Nets, and Lakers are all targeting big-name free agents this summer and have opened up cap space in advance.
However, this year reminded us that you do not need a super team to be competitive. After trading away Paul, the Clippers found themselves in a far better situation. Led by veterans Patrick Beverley and Lou Williams, they were able to secure a playoff spot over the LeBron James-led Lakers and even win two games in their playoff series against the Golden State Warriors.
How is that possible? Their revamped front office featuring Lawrence Frank, Jerry West, and Michael Winger went out of their way to establish a new culture. The Clippers found tough, undervalued veterans who play the game the right way. Even when they were overmatched or down by 20, they kept fighting. As a result, they were never truly out of any basketball game.
The Portland Trail Blazers are another great example. Their roster features only one superstar, but they were able to grab the third seed in the Western Conference. In the NBA, many teams are surrounded by drama and tension, but the Blazers have diverted from the modern model. They have opted to keep their same core together since LaMarcus Aldridge departed in free agency.
As a result, the Blazers have developed and maintained great overall chemistry. The players genuinely like to play together, and every new acquisition seems to want to stick around.
A lot of that falls on Damian Lillard. He is the leader of this team and is essential to the culture that they have created. Most solo superstars in a small market demand trades when they hit their prime. George and recently Anthony Davis are prime examples of this trend.
Lillard has embraced playing in Portland. In an article with Jason Quick of the Athletic from January (subscription required), Lillard spoke about not wanting to push the front office to makes moves or betray his teammates. This following quote perfectly captures his mindset:
"“I want to win a championship for this city, but I’m not willing to put somebody under the bus to do it”"
Sure, keeping the same group together after being swept by the Pelicans last season is not the traditional move, but the Blazers seem destined to make a run to the Conference Finals regardless.
Also, do you remember those superteams that I discussed in the beginning? Butler demanded a trade from the Timberwolves at the beginning of this season. The Celtics have been arguably better without Irving on the floor. Finally, the Blazers just knocked George and Westbrook out of the playoffs in five games, which was poetic justice at it’s finest.
Talent matters, but sometimes culture and chemistry can be just as effective. Acquiring superstars does not immediately make you a contender, those pieces have to fit together.