People often ask how we can get three high-level players (and now a fourth with Rasheed) playing so much as a team. The answer is two-fold:

• It’s those guys that allow us to play that way more than it is Doc making them play that way. They are ultimate professionals in that they understand that what may be best for them individually may not be what is best for the team!

• They are strong enough in their confidence and self esteem that they are all able to come in here and take fewer shots and play fewer minutes than they have in most any other years of their careers. They have all agreed to give up some personal glory for team glory (and they will find out that that sacrifice actually will give them their personal glory back!)

An example of this is Ray Allen who took almost 7 fewer shots per game with us than he had in other years of his career — and that was the year we won the NBA title. Ray accepted a reduced role but it actually led to a greater impact!

The lesson here is that personal sacrifice is a major ingredient to team success no matter what field you’re in. The best in sport and the best in corporate are the teams, organizations, and companies that have “players” who are willing to give a little to gain a lot. They are willing to go against human nature — which is very difficult to do!

It’s a simple formula for any group effort: for the team to reach a high level of success, the individuals must sacrifice some of themselves!