A leader is defined as an individual within the paradigm of a group or an organization who enjoys the most influence over other team members. Leadership is the method of influencing and motivating the fellow group members by the individual designated as leader towards the accomplishment of definite group objectives.
In reference to the Memphis Grizzlies, the formulated group objectives are to exceed the previous season’s post-season success, which was to eradicate the number-one-seeded San Antonio Spurs and leading the gifted OKC Thunder to seven games. After the ratio of three losses to one victory and the chance of potential elimination, Grizzlies are staring in the eyes of excessive hard work if they wish to achieve their goal.
It is essential for any team, organization or group in pursuit of success to possess a clear and refined leadership. Informal leadership is imperative, so is the specialized role players, but it has been evident from history that teams with laconic leadership achieve success. The leaders behind the success of the San Antonio Spurs are Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, while the Los Angeles Lakers have Kobe Bryant. Derrick Rose is leading the Chicago Bulls and their previous championship rosters were directed by basketball legend Michael Jordan.
In the first round of the year 2012, the Memphis Grizzlies are facing Chris Paul, who is the former 6’0” point guard of the New Orleans Hornets. The performance of Chris Paul over the years particularly in the NBA Playoffs has exposed his innate aptitude to lead. He has achieved a lot of name for leading averagely talented teams to surpass their capability. These are the traits of great leaders.
Probing the Memphis Grizzlies 2011 playoff roster, revealed a clear leader on the team, which is the power forward Zach Randolph, Z-Bo. That resulted from the injury of Rudy Gay. However, the current 2012 NBA playoffs have shown that there is no player who has the potential to assume the role of Grizzlies’ leader.
According to the conformist logic, the natural choice of the Grizzlies’ leader would be Zach Randolph as he exhibited leadership skills during last season. However, Randolph is recuperating from his injury as he played the major portion of the regular season coming off the bench following his return. In spite of his previous eminent performance, Z-Bo has not exhibited enough steadinesses in performance to guide the Grizzlies on his own.
Rudy Gay is very talented on the offensive-end, but has not shown any vocal leadership for the grit-and-grind ball club. Despite the fact that Gay is the most talented player on the team, apparent he does not have the inborn skill to lead this ball club as this is his first experience with the playoffs ambiance and intensity.
An individual can only be a leader when he has devoted followers. It is only when the eleven other team members commit to their leader that they can exceed their talents, drawbacks and objectives. The most obvious choice for leadership perhaps is all-star center Marc Gasol, who is the younger brother of the Los Angeles Lakers’ Pau Gasol.
In the eliminating game six in Los Angeles at the Staples Center, the Grizzlies fed the ball to M. Gasol and in response they got the resourceful 23 points, nine rebounds and three assists. The Grizzlies need to stand by the side of their latent leader if they want to establish themselves as a winning team. Many basketball betting clubs are watching them closely.
