| Part of Speech: | n | ||||||||||
| Definition: | a hard-to-describe influence or quality; an important element with unknown consequences |
In the game of basketball, there are 12 players to a team. There are 5 main positions: Point Guard, Shooting Guard, Small Forward, Power Forward, and Center. Each position is just as critical as the next to the overall success of the team.
Derrick Rose is the Chicago Bulls greatest strength in furthering themselves deeper into the playoffs. Potentially contending for the Eastern Conference Championship and NBA Championship, but that is for a later conversation. The current Bulls roster consists of 3 Utah Jazz displacements, team veterans Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah. Kurt Thomas and rookie Omer Asik round out the signings by front office.
Then there is Brian Scalabrine, spending the last 5 seasons in Boston with the Celtics alongside coaches Doc Rivers and Thibideau. Scalabrine brings to the team a comfort level for Thibs' system that is binding to the teams chemistry in the most important part of their make-up. Practice. Just ask coach Thibs, practice is just as important in the game and the biggest guidance the players can get is from their peers.
Scalabrine essentially is an extension of Thibs system. He helps the team to advance their familiarity with the defensive emphasis that Thibedeau demands from his players. Scalabrine is more than just another player filling the roster, he is the true definition of a player coach. With players like Omer Asik he provides a convenient example to follow for someone who has trouble adjusting to the speed and detail of NBA basketball.
It is rare to find players that are willing to assume roles that are not glorified. The lunch pail and hard hat style. That is the style that Brian embodies. In games played this year he is shooting .571, and eight rebounds, not MVP numbers, but definitely not an impediment to the team.
As I See It, while the rest of the season unfolds, the key to keeping the team in sync with the vision of Tom Thibideau is Brian Scalabrine. He adds another coach to the staff, another mentor for some of the younger nucleus of players.
I would like to thank everyone who has read the "As I See It" season one series of blogs. Check in when "As I See It" season 2 starts up with more X-Factor series and the 1st Annual Chicago's Finest Awards ( The Windy's! )
Can't wait for the next half of Bulls/Blackhawks and the beginning of Spring Training for the Cubs/White Sox. See you then!!
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