ONE of the benefits of a semi-retired lifestyle is having more 'free time' on hand. This author has been lucky to have directorship assignments and part-time teaching. Beneficially, several mornings are relatively free, and one has opportunity to follow sporting events in the US that are streamed live, specifically the NBA playoffs.
For true Los Angeles Lakers fan, the season is now done. In their last series against the defending champion Denver Nuggets, the Lakers were eliminated 4-1. Despite this record, the average series points were a very close 108.6 Nuggets vs. 106.4 Lakers. In two games, Denver won by two at the last seconds. Lakers led by over 20 in one game yet they lost. Denver, likewise trailed for about three-fourths of the minutes in the series. The game is a full 48 minutes, and what matters is how you close the game, not how you start it.
Despite stellar play by 39-year-old Lebron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers did not have enough to beat the togetherness and consistency of the other side. It took Denver a decade to brick-by-brick build a team. It's a question of culture and building a championship core. Minnesota, which, as of this writing, is on its way to a game seven with Denver, is another team built slowly around two homegrown superstars. Connectedness happens because of culture, not just in sports but in any organizational endeavor.
America's favorite college basketball coach, John Wooden, who led UCLA to 10 NCAA championships in 12 years, is a veritable source of wisdom on culture. He emphasized the need to build a strong and positive team culture. He had profound insights on personal virtues, attention to details, and a focus on teamwork and continuous improvement. His philosophy extends beyond the court, emphasizing life skills and character development.
Wooden has a 'Pyramid of Success' which outlines essential personal and team virtues, such as industriousness, friendship, loyalty, cooperation and enthusiasm. By focusing on these building blocks, Wooden fostered a culture where personal growth and team cohesion were paramount.
Wooden believed that excellence was found in the details. His meticulous approach to every aspect of the game starts with how players lace up their shoes to their court conduct. For him, character was more important than winning. He emphasized integrity, humility and respect, both in victory and defeat. And this extends beyond the basketball court. He cultivated a culture where every player understood their role and valued the success of the team over individual accolades.
Another interesting story in the current NBA playoffs is that of the New York Knicks, this season's Cinderella story. On Dec. 30, 2023, the Knicks traded two homegrown top players for OG Anunoby. Anunoby is an elite on-ball defender, and his hiring allowed the movement of players into the correct positions and reinforced the Knicks team culture. The Knicks had an amazing 26-5 win-loss record with him in the lineup, playoffs included.
Currently, the Knicks are in a tight second-round playoff match with Indiana. Injuries plagued the Knicks coming into the playoffs. Already out for the season are key players all-star Julius Randle, shooter Bogan Bogdanovic and starting center Mitchell Robinson. OG Anunoby followed suit in the injury list during Game 2 of the Pacers series, and his status remains uncertain. But determination and perseverance characterize the team, and they are also in a Game 7 with Indiana. Nobody is a superstar. Out of the 45 highest-paid NBA players today, no one is from the Knicks.
Players in the Knicks are interchangeable. When injuries happen, sportscasters refer to the need for the next man-up mentality. The Knicks have demonstrated this quality with only one of the original five starters in play, point guard Jalen Brunson, who has taken on the mantle of leadership admirably. The substitute center Isaiah Harkenstein has blossomed into a good rebounder, passer and defense specialist.
The Knicks have also shown the value of continuity and connectedness. Three of the Knicks on the roster played together at Villanova, where they won two championships. Brunson, Donte DeVincenzo and Josh Hart have combined forces for the amazing Knicks run, doing whatever it takes to make the win.
No matter how far the Knicks can advance despite the adversity, it's already a positive season. Tom Thibodeau, two-time coach of the year, has done a splendid job preaching and building a winning culture in New York.
Recently, The Atlantic ran a survey among NBA players and asked them to select a current coach aside from their own they prefer not to play for. Only 77 responded to this survey question. Despite the small sample size, Thibodeau was a 46.8 percent choice, with the next vote getting a single-digit share. Some players said he plays players to the ground, runs intense practices, and provides no day off. Thibodeau defenders in the Knicks, however, say he treats his craft with respect and expects the same from players. And his team has arguably bought into this drive for high level of basketball.
The Thibodeau situation shows that if the coach can create a bond the team can trust, an identity and culture will emerge that can lead to a winning performance. The strong NY Knicks season run validates this. The coach was able to make the team adapt and match things up in response to the competition. Culture starts with tone at the top.
Postscript: In Game 7, OG Anunoby attempted to return but could play for less than 5 minutes. And Brunson got hurt and was out for the Fourth Quarter. The injury toll finally caught up with New York.

Benel dela Paz Lagua was previously EVP and chief development officer at the Development Bank of the Philippines. He is an active Finex member and an advocate of risk-based lending for SMEs. Today, he is the independent director of progressive banks and some NGOs. The views expressed herein are his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of his office as well as Finex.