This season’s NBA Finals were incredible, and although as a fan of the Pacers I may be a bit biased, you can’t discount the excitement of a Finals going all seven games.
Although this season’s Finals may not have featured the traditional “big-market” teams, don’t be fooled. You had the reigning MVP. You got fast-paced, selfless, and high-IQ basketball. If you’re a fan of the game, not just the headlines, this was a series worth your time.
As a professor of sport leadership, and observer of winning cultures, I spent some time thinking: What do championship teams consistently have in common – athletically, mentally, and organizationally? Across decades and sports, eight patterns stand out:
1. Stability Breeds Success
Great teams don’t get built overnight. The Spurs with Popovich and Duncan. The Patriots with Brady and Belichick. Long-term success comes from continuity in leadership, culture, and roster development.
Too often, teams give up just before the breakthrough. Consider the Knicks parting ways with Tom Thibodeau after back-to-back deep playoff runs. Would stability have paid off with a Finals appearance next year? We’ll never know – but history suggests patience often wins.
2. Superstars Still Matter
You can’t fake talent. From Michael Jordan to Patrick Mahomes to Lionel Messi, championship teams need at least one elite-level player who can take over in clutch moments. These are your closers – the ones who turn good teams into title contenders.
3. Role Players Win Rings
Big shots don’t always come from big names. Think John Paxson, Robert Horry, or Nick Foles. Behind every superstar, there’s a teammate ready to deliver when the spotlight unexpectedly hits. Great teams have depth and role clarity.
As a former basketball coach, I saw firsthand how winning programs rely on screen-setters, box-out artists, and defensive stoppers. Glory isn’t just in the box score, it’s in execution, consistency, and selflessness.
4. Champions Peak at the Right Time
It’s not about starting hot—it’s about finishing strong. The 2011 St. Louis Cardinals barely made the playoffs and then won the World Series. The 2021 Milwaukee Bucks found their rhythm late on their way to a title. The Pacers this season? A shaky start gave way to a dominant second half.
Great teams use the regular season to build, experiment, and grow. Then they hit full stride when it counts most.
5. Defense is Non-Negotiable
“Defense travels.” Even when shots don’t fall or the offense gets stuck, great teams lock in on the defensive end. Whether it’s getting a stop late in Game 7 or diving for a 50-50 ball in the second quarter, defense sets the tone.
6. Ego Management and Role Embrace
Winning teams are built on trust and humility. Even superstars like Steph Curry move the ball and defer when needed. That only happens when there’s buy-in from the top down.
In championship locker rooms, personal sacrifice is normalized, not exceptional. When everyone embraces their role, starter or sixth man, cohesion follows.
7. Crisis Response Defines Champions
Adversity is a feature, not a bug. The 2016 Cavs were down 3–1. My beloved 2016 Cubs were too. Championship teams respond, they don’t splinter. They rally, refocus, and rise.
This is something we should remember with youth sports too. Struggle is part of the process. Protecting kids from failure might feel right but it robs them of one of sports’ greatest lessons: resilience.
8. Strategic Adaptability
Great teams adjust – in real time. Whether it’s tweaking offensive sets, altering defensive schemes, or managing rotations, champions evolve. They don’t hide behind “we’ve always done it this way.”
Phil Jackson adapted the triangle. Belichick adjusted weekly. Even in business or education, this principle holds: Adapt or fall behind.
Final Thoughts
Championship teams aren’t just lucky. They’re intentional, disciplined, and united. They know how to build a culture, manage setbacks, and perform when it matters most.
So whether you’re a coach, executive, athlete – or just a fan looking to better understand greatness – look for these eight patterns. They’ll show up time and time again.
Linkedin: Brandon Podgorski
Program Director, M.S. in Sports Leadership, B.S. in Sports Leadership and Management – Abilene Christian University
