Star players are overrated

[Celtics18]

Obviously having a superstar increases your chances of winning a title immensely.  However, I've always found teams with less sure fire superstars, with more to overcome, with more of an underdog persona much more enjoyable to root for.

I find this current Celtics team extremely enjoyable to root for.  I'll take a talent upgrade to help give us a better shot, but I don't want to see the team lose its gritty, underdog persona.

[86MaxwellSmart]

You can't win (in the postseason) without stars, and for every 2003-4 Pistons there are five 2014-15 Hawks.

Agreed...We win because we play Hard every night...We do not have another level to step up to....When the playoffs start, the teams with the Stars, Step up their intensity.

[chambers]

Star players are so important in basketball because the court is so small as a 'field'.

If star players are over rated then winning NBA championships is over rated.

How many teams win championships without stars?

[Celtics18]

Star players are so important in basketball because the court is so small as a 'field'.

If star players are over rated then winning NBA championships is over rated.

How many teams win championships without stars?

The only one that springs to mind is the '04 Pistons.  One could make a case for the '14 Spurs . . . and of course the '18 Celtics.

[jacigar]

I wish to make a couple of points. Having been a Celtics fan since the 1950,s, I remember the dynasty teams. They were assembled mostly by drafting. I do understand that there were fewer teams and therefore easier to get quality players. But they drafted Ramsey 53 ,Luscutoff 55, Heinsohn,Russell and KC Jones 56,Sam Jones 57 and Hondo in 62. These Championship teams played totally balanced and unselfishly. They defeated all the teams with the all stars.West,Oscar,Chamberlain,Petitte and etc.This current team seems to play similar to those teams. We should build on what we are starting to have success with.
Point 2 Players peek at 28 years old. Forget about chasing these 29-32 year old players.I would try to sign Ezeli from GS as future Center draft Valentine MSU as SG. Future players could include Johnson NCar ,Okanuwa Louisville. Stone Maryland, Allen Duke. I see no or limited future for AJ,Jerebeko,Young,Hunter. Mickey ,I believe,will have a bright future. Rozier ?

[Quetzalcoatl]

Star players are so important in basketball because the court is so small as a 'field'.

If star players are over rated then winning NBA championships is over rated.

How many teams win championships without stars?

The only one that springs to mind is the '04 Pistons.  One could make a case for the '14 Spurs . . . and of course the '18 Celtics.

I thought Marcus Smart won the MVP that year, though

[RockinRyA]

Star players are so important in basketball because the court is so small as a 'field'.

If star players are over rated then winning NBA championships is over rated.

How many teams win championships without stars?

The only one that springs to mind is the '04 Pistons.  One could make a case for the '14 Spurs . . . and of course the '18 Celtics.

'04 pistons having no star is a myth. Ben Wallace despite his offensive limitation had superstar numbers. Rasheed Wallace had superstar talents. Both were all-stars.. Stars in their very own right.

[greece66]

How many good, balanced teams without a superstar when titles?

I don't think star players are overrated at all, unfortunately.  A genuine superstar is probably worth three good, but not great, starters.

Good point but still...

Who would have called Curry (or Leonard) a superstar 3 years ago.

The trick is finding players with superstar potential who would flourish in your system and sign them for a reasonable contract.

[Smartacus]

How many good, balanced teams without a superstar when titles?

I don't think star players are overrated at all, unfortunately.  A genuine superstar is probably worth three good, but not great, starters.

Good point but still...

Who would have called Curry (or Leonard) a superstar 3 years ago.

The trick is finding players with superstar potential who would flourish in your system and sign them for a reasonable contract.

Fair point, unless Jordan Mickey grows 2 inches and develops Tim Duncan's bank shot don't really see that with player currently on our roster.

Kind of makes you start looking at a guy like Buddy Hield more closely.

[greece66]

No they're not.

Yes, they are.

[LGC88]

Only superstar are worth it.
Stars don't move the needle much, superstar do, specially in the playoffs.
Defense is so intense during the playoffs, that team play is not enough to score. Sometimes, you need the superstar go to scorer to disturb defense. If you don't have that player, you are going to struggle in the post season.
Nowadays, you need to excel at a lot of things to win a championship :

- Great team play (most of the time)
- Great chemistry (check)
- Great defense (most of the time)
- Great coach (check)
- Great organization (check)
- Stars (1 maybe more soon)
- Superstars (none)

We are almost there, just need 1 or 2 superstar that fit well in what we are doing.
Hype !

[Celtics4ever]

Yes, they are.

Then please name some championships without stars vs. championships with stars.  Your argument will be found lacking.   GO AHEAD I DARE YOU!

[greece66]

Yes, they are.

Then please name some championships without stars vs. championships with stars.  Your argument will be found lacking.   GO AHEAD I DARE YOU!

First, take a chill pill.

Second, this is not the point.

Point is we do not want to give up too many assets for a brief rental (eg Horford).

Nor do we want to pick up the bad salary of a star in decline (eg Melo).

Or offer a near max to a player not worth it (there will be plenty this summer).

Or give up a ****load of assets for a player whose real injury history is only known to his current franchise.

Given that the probability of landing someone like Durant in the summer is very low, our best shot is doing what SAS did with Leonard and GSW with Curry. Find a great fit for your system and allow him to flourish. Remember to sign a cheap four year contract before the rest of the league realizes it was a steal.

[jbpats]

I'll tell you the real reasons a team needs star(s) or a superstar.

1) They get the calls. Just look at LBJ, he looks at a ref they'll blow the whistle for him.
2) The NBA wants teams with marketable players to go the distance. See reason #1, stars get the questionable calls more often then not because the league wants their teams to win. Teams with star players get higher TV ratings and in return generate more revenue for the NBA.. Great coaches and a team with good players do not.

Like it or not, its a serious but also unfair advantage.

[PhoSita]

Threads like this are continuing proof that star players are underrated.

But it's OK, when we finally have one again, we'll have threads discussing in depth how great our star is.