NBA Superteams: Defining the NBA media's most enduring narrative using Inductive Reasoning Part I
The most enduring narrative? You read it correctly! Even most recently when Giannis Antetokounmpo won his first title, he took an apparent swipe to superstars who won with superteams in their careers:
It's easy to go somewhere and win a championship somewhere else...This is the hard way to do it, and this is the way we did it. We did it, we fu*king did it.
Now, talks about superteams are getting more ballistic than it has ever been for the past few months. I myself who is just a spectator and a fan have read all different opinions regarding the matter and I must say that there are some crazy opinions from fans from all sides regarding the matter. Let me quote some of the comments from various Facebook accounts who were defending their favorite player/s or team/s.
The Miami Heat in 2014 faced a Spurs superteam.
The 73-win Golden State Warriors were a superteam!
Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman were all hall of famers, that's a superteam right there!
If the Milwaukee Bucks had 2 former all-stars in Lopez and Holiday, should they be qualified as a Superteam?
Chris Bosh was overrated and Wade was injury prone, Miami Heat were never a superteam!
Okay first off, I always think that there is absolutely nothing wrong with defending your favorite player whoever he or she is, but I hope we are always accurate about it; grounded with evidence and facts. Unfortunately, every fan (even myself) has certain biases, so the question is - how do we solve in defining the term "superteam" that has been trending within the current NBA fanbase and landscape? Even the media had a hard time defining superteams but of course there is a set of universal accepted truths within the NBA community and media about superteams. Let's go over them one by one shall we?
- At least 3 players were considered recent All-Stars or members of the All-NBA teams before they are join the the supposed superteam.
- At least 3 players were in their athletic prime when they joined the supposed superteam.
- At least 3 players were recently considered the best player at any team before they joined the supposed superteam.
- At least 2 of the 3 or 4 best players were from different teams for a span of time before joining the supposed superteam.
Provided by these 4 statements, we can now put each teams to the test by using Inductive Reasoning. Inductive Reasoning is described by Wikipedia to be:
A method of reasoning in which the premises are viewed as supplying some evidence, but not full assurance, of the truth of the conclusion.
Wikipedia
Using what they call as "bottom-up" logic. We will examine each teams by going into specifics (bottom logic). Once the evidence and results are tallied then we will be able to come up with a general conclusion (up logic). Here are 5 basic premises that will definitely hold ground so as we can come up with a more logical and factual conclusion.
Premise 1: At least 3 players have been a member of the NBA All-Star or All-NBA teams for the last 3 years prior to being a member of the team.
Premise 2: At least 3 players having a 3-year average PER (Player Efficiency Rating) or BPM (Box Plus/Minus) of 20 or 4 respectively prior to joining the team. These advanced analytics are standard numbers for All-Star level players.
Premise 3: At least 3 players were at least 25 years of age to 32 years of age during the start of the season when they were part of the team.
Premise 4: At least 3 players have successfully led their teams as the best player, to some degree of success without having any superstar help for the last 3 years.
Premise 5: At least 2 of their 4 most notable players were not drafted by the team nor started their career with the team.
We will test 5 NBA teams in chronological order in this exercise: the 2021 Milwaukee Bucks, the 2016 Golden State Warriors, the 2014 San Antonio Spurs, the 2011 Miami Heat and the 1996 Chicago Bulls. Alright I will not bore you any further so LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!
The 2020-2021 Milwaukee Bucks
Image by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Premise 1: At least 3 players have been a member of the NBA All-Star or All-NBA teams for the last 3 years prior to being a member of the team.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
- 2020 NBA All-Star
- 2019 NBA All-Star
- 2018 NBA All-Star
- 2020 All-NBA First Team
- 2019 All-NBA First Team
- 2018 All-NBA Second Team
Verdict: Passed
Khris Middleton
- 2020 NBA All-Star
- 2019 NBA All-Star
Verdict: Passed
Brook Lopez
- No All-Star nor NBA-All Team selection for the past 3 seasons.
Verdict: Failed
Jrue Holiday
- No All-Star nor NBA-All Team selection for the past 3 seasons.
Verdict: Failed
Bucks Premise 1 Final Verdict: Failed
Premise 2: At least 3 players having a 3-year average PER (Player Efficiency Rating) or BPM (Box Plus/Minus) of 20 or 4 respectively prior to joining the team.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
A 3-year average PER of 28.1 or BPM of 8.9 from 2018-2020.
Verdict: Passed
Khris Middleton
A 3-year average PER of 18.3 or BPM of 1.6 from 2018-2020.
Verdict: Failed
Brook Lopez
A 3-year average PER of 15.4 or BPM of 1.7 from 2018-2020.
Verdict: Failed
Jrue Holiday
A 3-year average PER of 18.1 or BPM of 1.7 from 2018-2020.
Verdict: Failed
Bucks Premise 2 Final Verdict: Failed
Premise 3: At least 3 players were at least 25 years of age to 32 years of age during the start of the season when they were part of the team.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Birthday: December 6, 1994
Season Started: December 22, 2020
Age on season start: 26
Verdict: Passed
Khris Middleton
Birthday: August 12, 1991
Season Started: December 22, 2020
Age on season start: 29
Verdict: Passed
Brook Lopez
Birthday: April 1, 1988
Season Started: December 22, 2020
Age on season start: 32
Verdict: Passed
Jrue Holiday
Birthday: June 12, 1990
Season Started: December 22, 2020
Age on season start: 30
Verdict: Passed
Bucks Premise 3 Final Verdict: Passed
Premise 4: At least 3 players have successfully led their teams as the best player, to some degree of success without having any superstar help for the last 3 years.
Giannis Antetokounmpo - considered the best player on the Bucks team since 2018.
Verdict: Passed
Khris Middleton - considered the second best player on the Bucks team since 2018.
Verdict: Failed
Brook Lopez - has been a role player for the past 3 seasons, as Laker in 2018 and as the member of the Bucks providing occassional scoring boost when Giannis or Middleton are having off nights or out due to injuries.
Verdict: Failed
Jrue Holiday - his best years were playing as a member of the Pelicans alongside Anthony Davis and Julius Randle.
Verdict: Failed
Bucks Premise 4 Final Verdict: Failed
Premise 5: At least 2 of their 4 most notable players were not drafted by the team nor started their career with the team.
Antetokounmpo - 15th overall by the Bucks. Verdict: Failed
Middleton - 39th overall by the Pistons. Verdict: Passed
Lopez - 10th overall by the Nets. Verdict: Passed
Holiday - 17th overall by the 76ers. Verdict: Passed
Bucks Premise 5 Final Verdict: Passed
Milwaukee Bucks Final Tally: 2 passed, 3 failed.
Conclusion: The 2021 Milwaukee Bucks were not a superteam.
The 2015-2016 Golden State Warriors
Image by Complex/Getty Images
Premise 1: At least 3 players have been a member of the NBA All-Star or All-NBA teams for the last 3 years prior to being a member of the team.
Stephen Curry
- 2015 NBA All-Star
- 2014 NBA All-Star
- 2015 All-NBA First Team
- 2014 All-NBA Second Team
Verdict: Passed
Klay Thompson
- 2015 NBA All-Star
- 2015 All-NBA Third Team
Verdict: Passed
Draymond Green
- No All-Star nor NBA-All Team selection for the past 3 seasons.
Verdict: Failed
Andre Iguodala
- 2012 NBA All-Star
Verdict: Passed
Warriors Premise 1 Final Verdict: Passed
Premise 2: At least 3 players having a 3-year average PER (Player Efficiency Rating) or BPM (Box Plus/Minus) of 20 or 4 respectively prior to joining the team.
Stephen Curry
A 3-year average PER of 24.5 or BPM of 7.6 from 2013-2015.
Verdict: Passed
Klay Thompson
A 3-year average PER of 15.9 or BPM of 1.6 from 2013-2015.
Verdict: Failed
Draymond Green
A 3-year average PER of 12.1 or BPM of 0.6 from 2013-2015.
Verdict: Failed
Andre Iguodala
A 3-year average PER of 13.7 or BPM of 1.9 from 2013-2015.
Verdict: Failed
Warriors Premise 2 Final Verdict: Failed
Premise 3: At least 3 players were at least 25 years of age to 32 years of age during the start of the season when they were part of the team.
Stephen Curry
Birthday: March 14, 1988
Season Started: October 27, 2015
Age on season start: 27
Verdict: Passed
Klay Thompson
Birthday: February 8, 1990
Season Started: October 27, 2015
Age on season start: 25
Verdict: Passed
Draymond Green
Birthday: March 4, 1990
Season Started: October 27, 2015
Age on season start: 25
Verdict: Passed
Andre Iguodala
Birthday: January 28, 1984
Season Started: October 27, 2015
Age on season start: 31
Verdict: Passed
Warriors Premise 3 Final Verdict: Passed
Premise 4: At least 3 players have successfully led their teams as the best player, to some degree of success without having any superstar help for the last 3 years.
Stephen Curry - considered the best player of the Warriors for the past 3 years and brought them to a winning record since 2013, eventually winning MVP in 2015.
Verdict: Passed
Klay Thompson - universally considered the second best player of the Warriors next to Curry for the past 3 years.
Verdict: Failed
Draymond Green - universally considered as one NBA's most reliable role players but never considered the focal point of the team's offense.
Verdict: Failed
Andre Iguodala - he together with Ty Lawson made Denver a surprise contender in 2013, the best player label between them could be considered a coin flip.
Verdict: Failed
Warriors Premise 4 Final Verdict: Failed
Premise 5: At least 2 of their 4 most notable players were not drafted by the team nor started their career with the team.
Curry - 7th overall by the Warriors. Verdict: Failed
Thompson - 11th overall by the Warriors. Verdict: Failed
Green - 35th overall by the Warriors. Verdict: Failed
Iguodala - 9th overall by the 76ers. Verdict: Passed
Warriors Premise 5 Final Verdict: Failed
Golden State Warriors Final Tally: 2 passed, 3 failed.
Conclusion: The 2016 Golden State Warriors were not a superteam.
The 2013-2014 San Antonio Spurs
Image by Soobuym Im-USA Today Sports
Premise 1: At least 3 players have been a member of the NBA All-Star or All-NBA teams for the last 3 years prior to being a member of the team.
Tim Duncan
- 2013 NBA All-Star
- 2011 NBA All-Star
- 2013 All-NBA First Team
Verdict: Passed
Tony Parker
- 2013 NBA All-Star
- 2012 NBA All-Star
- 2013 All-NBA Second Team
- 2012 All-NBA Second Team
Verdict: Passed
Manu Ginobili
- 2011 NBA All-Star
- 2011 All-NBA Third Team
Verdict: Passed
Kawhi Leonard
- No All-Star nor NBA-All Team selection for the past 2 seasons.
Verdict: Failed
Spurs Premise 1 Final Verdict: Passed
Premise 2: At least 3 players having a 3-year average PER (Player Efficiency Rating) or BPM (Box Plus/Minus) of 20 or 4 respectively prior to joining the team.
Tim Duncan
A 3-year average PER of 22.9 or BPM of 4.3 from 2011-2013.
Verdict: Passed
Tony Parker
A 3-year average PER of 21.8 or BPM of 2.7 from 2011-2013.
Verdict: Passed
Manu Ginobili
A 3-year average PER of 21.6 or BPM of 5.3 from 2011-2013.
Verdict: Passed
Kawhi Leonard
A 2-year average PER of 16.5 or BPM of 3.3 from 2012-2013. (Entered the league in the 2012 season)
Verdict: Failed
Spurs Premise 2 Final Verdict: Passed
Premise 3: At least 3 players were at least 25 years of age to 32 years of age during the start of the season when they were part of the team.
Tim Duncan
Birthday: April 25, 1976
Season Started: October 29, 2013
Age on season start: 37
Verdict: Failed
Tony Parker
Birthday: May 17, 1982
Season Started: October 29, 2013
Age on season start: 31
Verdict: Passed
Manu Ginobili
Birthday: July 28, 1977
Season Started: October 29, 2013
Age on season start: 36
Verdict: Failed
Kawhi Leonard
Birthday: June 29, 1991
Season Started: October 29, 2013
Age on season start: 22
Verdict: Failed
Spurs Premise 3 Final Verdict: Failed
Premise 4: At least 3 players have successfully led their teams as the best player, to some degree of success without having any superstar help for the last 3 years.
Tim Duncan - during this time it could be argued that he has not been as valuable stats wise, but is still the leader of the Spurs and their main defensive anchor; if we are simply talking about being the best player then it's either him or Parker during that point in time.
Verdict: Failed
Tony Parker - the Spurs best player for the past 3 years can either be him or Tim Duncan - all thanks to Popovich's system.
Verdict: Failed
Manu Ginobili - universally considered as one NBA's best 6th man but these past 3 years, his best years are ahead of him though he never really carried the Spurs even at his best.
Verdict: Failed
Kawhi Leonard - was a great role player during that time, filling the void left by Bruce Bowen as the team's main perimeter defensive stopper.
Verdict: Failed
Spurs Premise 4 Final Verdict: Failed
Premise 5: At least 2 of their 4 most notable players were not drafted by the team nor started their career with the team.
Duncan - 1st overall by the Spurs. Verdict: Failed
Parker - 28th overall by the Spurs. Verdict: Failed
Ginobili - 57th overall by the Spurs. Verdict: Failed
Leonard - 15th overall by the Pacers but was traded immediately to the Spurs. Verdict: Failed
Spurs Premise 5 Final Verdict: Failed
San Antonio Spurs Final Tally: 2 passed, 3 failed.
Conclusion: The 2014 San Antonio Spurs were not a superteam.
The 2010-2011 Miami Heat
Image by Rob Carr/Getty Images
Premise 1: At least 3 players have been a member of the NBA All-Star or All-NBA teams for the last 3 years prior to being a member of the team.
LeBron James
- 2010 NBA All-Star
- 2009 NBA All-Star
- 2008 NBA All-Star
- 2010 All-NBA First Team
- 2009 All-NBA First Team
- 2008 All-NBA First Team
Verdict: Passed
Dwyane Wade
- 2010 NBA All-Star
- 2009 NBA All-Star
- 2008 NBA All-Star
- 2010 All-NBA First Team
- 2009 All-NBA First Team
Verdict: Passed
Chris Bosh
- 2010 NBA All-Star
- 2009 NBA All-Star
- 2008 NBA All-Star
Verdict: Passed
Mario Chalmers
- No All-Star nor NBA-All Team selection for the past 2 seasons.
Verdict: Failed
Heat Premise 1 Final Verdict: Passed
Premise 2: At least 3 players having a 3-year average PER (Player Efficiency Rating) or BPM (Box Plus/Minus) of 20 or 4 respectively prior to joining the team.
LeBron James
A 3-year average PER of 30.6 or BPM of 11.9 from 2008-2010.
Verdict: Passed
Dwyane Wade
A 3-year average PER of 26.6 or BPM of 7.6 from 2008-2010.
Verdict: Passed
Chris Bosh
A 3-year average PER of 23.6 or BPM of 3.6 from 2008-2010.
Verdict: Passed
Mario Chalmers
A 2-year average PER of 12.0 or BPM of -0.8 from 2009-2010. (Entered the league in the 2009 season).
Verdict: Failed
Heat Premise 2 Final Verdict: Passed
Premise 3: At least 3 players were at least 25 years of age to 32 years of age during the start of the season when they were part of the team.
LeBron James
Birthday: December 30, 1984
Season Started: October 26, 2010
Age on season start: 25
Verdict: Passed
Dwyane Wade
Birthday: January 17, 1982
Season Started: October 26, 2010
Age on season start: 28
Verdict: Passed
Chris Bosh
Birthday: March 24, 1984
Season Started: October 26, 2010
Age on season start: 26
Verdict: Passed
Mario Chalmers
Birthday: May 19, 1986
Season Started: October 26, 2010
Age on season start: 24
Verdict: Failed
Heat Premise 3 Final Verdict: Passed
Premise 4: At least 3 players have successfully led their teams as the best player, to some degree of success without having any superstar help for the last 3 years.
LeBron James - Cavs have won 60 games for the past 2 years under him and clearly without a shadow of the doubt their best player.
Verdict: Passed
Dwyane Wade - the Heat were okay for the past 3 years, a winning team and a playoff contender but were a far-cry from their championship glory in 2006 with Wade leading the charge.
Verdict: Passed
Chris Bosh - led the Raptors to a .500 record and the playoffs in 2008 but could not quite get off the hump in 2009 and 2010.
Verdict: Passed
Mario Chalmers - was the Heat's main point guard in his first season, played a reduced role seasons after.
Verdict: Failed
Heat Premise 4 Final Verdict: Passed
Premise 5: At least 2 of their 4 most notable players were not drafted by the team nor started their career with the team.
James - 1st overall by the Cavs. Verdict: Passed
Wade - 5th overall by the Heat. Verdict: Failed
Bosh - 4th overall by the Raptors. Verdict: Passed
Chalmers - 34th overall by the Timberwolves yet immediately traded to the Heat. Verdict: Failed
Heat Premise 5 Final Verdict: Passed
Miami Heat Final Tally: 5 passed, 0 failed.
Conclusion: The 2011 Miami Heat were a superteam.
The 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls
Image by Jim Prisching/Chicago Tribune
Premise 1: At least 3 players have been a member of the NBA All-Star or All-NBA teams for the last 3 years prior to being a member of the team.
Michael Jordan
- 1993 NBA All-Star
- 1993 All-NBA First Team
Verdict: Passed
Scottie Pippen
- 1995 NBA All-Star
- 1994 NBA All-Star
- 1993 NBA All-Star
- 1995 All-NBA First Team
- 1994 All-NBA First Team
- 1993 All-NBA Third Team
Verdict: Passed
Dennis Rodman
- No All-Star nor NBA-All Team selection for the past 3 seasons.
Verdict: Failed
Ron Harper
- No All-Star nor NBA-All Team selection for the past 3 seasons.
Verdict: Failed
Bulls Premise 1 Final Verdict: Failed
Premise 2: At least 3 players having a 3-year average PER (Player Efficiency Rating) or BPM (Box Plus/Minus) of 20 or 4 respectively prior to joining the team.
Michael Jordan
A 2-year average PER of 25.9 or BPM of 7.7 from 1993-1995. Retired by the end of 1992-1993 season, played 17 games on the 1994-1995 season.
Verdict: Passed
Scottie Pippen
A 3-year average PER of 21.7 or BPM of 6.4 from 1993-1995.
Verdict: Passed
Dennis Rodman
A 3-year average PER of 14.5 or BPM of 0.7 from 1993-1995.
Verdict: Failed
Ron Harper
A 3-year average PER of 14.7 or BPM of 0.5 from 1993-1995.
Verdict: Failed
Bulls Premise 2 Final Verdict: Failed
Premise 3: At least 3 players were at least 25 years of age to 32 years of age during the start of the season when they were part of the team.
Michael Jordan
Birthday: February 17, 1963
Season Started: November 3, 1995
Age on season start: 32
Verdict: Passed
Scottie Pippen
Birthday: September 25, 1965
Season Started: November 3, 1995
Age on season start: 30
Verdict: Passed
Dennis Rodman
Birthday: May 13, 1961
Season Started: November 3, 1995
Age on season start: 34
Verdict: Failed
Ron Harper
Birthday: January 20, 1964
Season Started: November 3, 1995
Age on season start: 31
Verdict: Passed
Bulls Premise 3 Final Verdict: Passed
Premise 4: At least 3 players have successfully led their teams as the best player, to some degree of success without having any superstar help for the last 3 years.
Michael Jordan - considered the absolute best player of the Bulls before his retirement at the end of 1993.
Verdict: Passed
Scottie Pippen - took over the Bulls on MJ's first retirement as its best player while carrying the team to 55 wins in the 1994 season though struggled on the 1995 season before MJ's return.
Verdict: Passed
Dennis Rodman - dubbed as one of the greatest rebounders and defenders ever yet he only plays specific roles for Detroit and Spurs, was never the best player in his previous teams - not even close.
Verdict: Failed
Ron Harper - an underrated, overlooked player who could have easily been an All-star for the Clippers during their winning seasons but Danny Manning was arguably the better player than him during that time.
Verdict: Failed
Bulls Premise 4 Final Verdict: Failed
Premise 5: At least 2 of their 4 most notable players were not drafted by the team nor started their career with the team.
Jordan - 3rd overall by the Bulls. Verdict: Failed
Pippen - 5th overall by the Supersonics but was traded immediately to the Bulls. Verdict: Failed
Rodman - 27th overall by the Pistons. Verdict: Passed
Harper - 8th overall by the Cavaliers. Verdict: Passed
Bulls Premise 5 Final Verdict: Passed
Chicago Bulls Final Tally: 2 passed, 3 failed.
Conclusion: The 1996 Chicago Bulls were not a superteam.
That's about it! I hope this article has at least tell us how Superteams are defined which is backed by facts and evidence. Superteams are defined by the individual talent of their roster as opposed to dynasties which are defined by the collective greatness as a team in general but do keep in mind that for me Superteams can be dynasties and dynasties can be superteams, they are just not the same thing! Hope to see you in Part II as we analyze more teams using the same strategy. We will tackle the 2017 Warriors, the 2015 Cavs, the 2008 Celtics, the 2004 Lakers, the 1999 Houston Rockets and finally the Bad Boy Pistons in 1989.
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superteams_in_the_National_Basketball_Association
- https://pudding.cool/2017/10/superteams/
- https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Superteam%20%28NBA%29
- https://theshadowleague.com/breaking-down-the-definition-of-an-nba-big-three-versus-super-teams/
- https://www.basketball-reference.com/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inductive_reasoning
