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E-News Sign Up| The Los Angeles Lakers swept the New Jersey Nets in NBA Finals 2002 to become the fifth team in NBA history to win three or more consecutive championships, which begged the question: where do the 1999-2000 to 2001-02 Lakers rank among the greatest teams in league history? Seeking answers, NBA.com interviewed Hall of Famers Tom “Satch” Sanders and Billy Cunningham to hear their unique perspectives. Sanders, a member of eight championship Boston teams, played for the 1964-65 Celtics, one of the Top 10 Teams in NBA History. Cunningham, one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, was a member of two of those top 10 teams: the 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers (as a player) and the 1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers (as a coach). Following are excerpts from the conversations with two of the most successful men in NBA history talking about the most successful team in the current era: |  |
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Cunningham: “Everybody on the team has got to sacrifice and accept their roles. Your key stars like a Shaq and Kobe must help their teammates be better. They do that. That’s one common thread you find with championship teams. They have players that accept a role and stars that make everybody better.”
Sanders: “The reason why teams win is chemistry. A lot of teams have talent. Does everyone who steps out on the floor relish playing his role? The Lakers players know what they’re supposed to do and do what they’re supposed to do.”
What is the most underrated aspect of the Lakers that makes them such a great team?
Cunningham: “They’re a very good defensive ball club. That’s where you really see a team come together. The big guy (Shaq) in the middle is an intimidating factor. They’ve got good quickness on the perimeter and they seem to take a great deal of pride in their defense.”
Sanders: “There is no secret. Their players do what they’re supposed to do. They play up to their potential for that team. Their coaches do what they’re supposed to do. The closest thing to the secret of that team is their adaptability or flexibility. All of them have apparently accepted their roles and performed well.”
How does Shaq compare to Bill Russell or Wilt Chamberlain?
Sanders: “Russell’s record speaks for itself, but in terms of a dominating factor, Shaq is comparable.”
Cunningham: “Absolutely, he is a force today like they were in their era. One of the things I feel sorry for about Shaq is that he has no one to challenge. The only person to challenge Shaq is Shaq. With Russell and Chamberlain, there was great competition.”
Does Kobe Bryant remind you of anyone?
Cunningham: “He reminds me a little of Michael Jordan. His ability to score. And just to see him mature as a player. He’s really gotten his priorities in the right order.”
How much credit does Phil Jackson deserve?
Sanders: “The coach has to get the credit because he assigns the jobs to the players. Shaq and Kobe’s jobs are pretty clear. There’s also a recognition that if you’ve got a force that can’t be stopped, physically and mentally, then you have to cater to that force. As soon as opponents become concerned and focus on Shaq and Kobe, other people besides them can go to work. The Lakers are playing in a very simple and tremendously efficient fashion. Teams in the past used to do a very similar thing. Chicago made sure the ball stayed in the hands of Jordan and Pippen, but as soon as things started getting very tight, they wouldn’t hesitate to go to their teammates. Go to your force first and then when the defense reacts, the other role players step up."
Is it too soon to judge the Lakers and their place in history?
Sanders: “What they’ve done so far is enough to judge them on.”
The Lakers “struggled” a bit last season during the regular season and squeaked by the Sacramento Kings, 4-3, in the Western Conference Finals. Does that reflect negatively on their greatness?
Sanders: “People would like to see them win by 25 and 30 points, but I don’t see winning by a large margin as proving their greatness. The dominance is in winning the games, not the margin.”
Can you fairly compare teams from different eras?
Cunningham: “I think it’s difficult comparing eras and different teams. Not to take anything away from what the Lakers have achieved, but the league has expanded and that makes a difference. To compare teams is wonderful for fans, but you never know unless you see the different matchups decided on the court.”
Are the current Lakers among the greatest teams in NBA history?
Sanders: “They’re certainly in the category with the best that’s ever been in the league.”
Cunningham: “I think winning three championships is a great stamp. I don’t care what era or what the situations are. It’s a great achievement. I think they will always be a team that will be talked about.”
--Evan Silverman, NBA.com
NBA Access with Ahmad Rashad
