Impact of a Single Player?

Liam, no American in their right mind would object to what you said about American Basketball in the International Comps. It's just pathetic to have a full squad of $10 million a year athletes not able to adjust to a team game. I would like to see the NBA Champs go to the Olympics and watch some real dominance for a change. But that's just wishfull thinking on my part...

Perhaps the most dominant (top 3 without argument from anyone who knows basketball) player in basketball history was Jordan and he lost time after time while scoring more than half his teams points. And at times he would score 25 of their last 30 and maybe 60 of their 88 and still lose. He could take over a game like no one else. But it wasn't until he had a good supporting cast around him who learned to play together that his TEAM went on to win championships.

And I fully agree with Fred that a star can have a negative impact. We've had that with our US teams where we watch the star thinking that he can do what he wants. Forward or back doesn't matter, you need the players around him to help out so that he can do what he does best when you need him to, not when he's in survival mode because he has no outlets or support.

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Just in case you weren't sure, it's official -- CMAS sucks.
Oh yeah, and now they're broke.

I think it might depend on what level you're playing at as well Liam.

We've all played in club games where one player makes all the difference to that team. Dropping Benson or Pig into a A/B grade game for instance?

On a completely facetious note I'd like to introduce a new type of player. The Anti-star. This was the type of player I was before I got fat/lazy/crap. I was certainly not a *STAR* as I would never ever win you the game. Basically I was/am useless for scoring goals when you needed them. I was, however, the guy you wanted on your team when you were about to be thumped when I would turn into a puck catching net so that the team could go down a relatively respectable 7-0 instead of 15-0.

The anti-Star: Stopping your goal difference from getting embarrasing. DISCLAIMER: Does not apply in test hockey where I got embarrased plenty...

I believe a single player makes a difference, but it still isn't the only factor. I have myself been on teams where there is no one higher than a bigger than me, and yes even if you stop the 3 on 1's and all there is no forward motion so yes, it does impact but you need more than one.

This is a very interesting discussion. Agree that in a dopey team (like NZ), a star player cannot win a game alone but will certainly make it worth watching . In a close game however, the star player can often be the deciding factor. It seems to get down to the stars ability to pull out a trick (in attack) or defend a goal (in defence) that makes the difference between winning and losing. Without the kicking ability of Johnny Wilkinson, the brit rugby team would not have made the finals of the last two world cups. Soccer fans seem to have made up their minds on this... how many millions are those top stars getting (oh if only LA Galaxy was a UWH team)?

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Chuck the guide rule

We don't need overpaid players getting hurt and sitting on the bench. Glad they aren't hockey. Well, except the part that they have enough money to do something stupid that might bankrupt the sport over here. Only I'm sure we'd use it a lot wiser.... I think this deserves a new thread somewhere.... What is the design of your dream pool?

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Just in case you weren't sure, it's official -- CMAS sucks.
Oh yeah, and now they're broke.

(like NZ)....

sorry, what?

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it's more polite on the grating than on the subs bench

I think every team has to have 1 or 2 special players. They can be special for many reasons, skill, speed, experience etc. A team needs these players to feel confident and to ignite the spark. Some players just have a special ora to bring the magic together that a team needs.
But, it takes a TEAM to win, not individuals!
Cheers
belle

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Underwater Hockey Rules!