NBA pundits are harsh, especially on talented players.
If you stick with the team you were originally drafted to and never win a championship, you'll be scoffed at and mocked for wasting your potential.
If you leave your first team and build what's now termed a 'super team' by joining one or two other great players elsewhere, people will call you a cheater.
An interesting narrative you might see is that superstars who win as part of a super team need to strike out on their own afterwards and win without their partners in order to 'prove themselves'.
Kobe said it was important for him to win championships without Shaq.
Lebron said he needed to win without Dwayne Wade.
All because it would earn them more respect from the old heads in the league.
But here’s the thing. A lot more people have heard of Scottie Pippen than Bill Russell.
Bill Russell won 11 championships - almost DOUBLE the number Michael Jordan won. Meanwhile, Scottie was the Robin to Jordan’s Batman and never won without him.
Sometimes you can go a lot further by riding a rising tide.
Kyrie Irving left Lebron James to prove himself on his own. 3 teams later and he hasn’t seen another NBA Final.
Kevin Durant’s only championships came when he joined a historic winning team.
It’s hard enough as it is to perform at the highest level. Sometimes finding the right teammates is what it takes for things to finally click. You don't have to be an island.
Don’t let ego keep you from the opportunity to win it all.
