Veteran leadership in the NBA is everything in the postseason. Anyone can win a game in a series based solely on their roster. However, to win a series or the crucial games in the series vets are needed. That’s why you see smart teams signing guys like Joe Johnson and Greg Monroe to make postseason runs.
We should really discuss the veteran leadership we’ve seen thus far in the playoffs. LeBron, KD, Manu, and more have managed to step up big in the postseason. Here are a few players who have gone that extra mile:
Manu Ginobili
The Spurs might be the seventh seed and matched up against the Warriors, but Manu scoring 10 of his 16 in the fourth quarter to close out the game was classic and fun to watch. Not to mention he’s 41 and has no quit in him whatsoever. Having a guy like Ginobili in the locker room has made guys like Dejounte Murray, Danny Green, and LaMarcus Aldridge have bigger roles on the offensive end. When Murray started to score it showed how much the Spurs have grown from game to game. Do I think the Spurs will win the series? No, but they won’t go down without a fight. Everyone on that squad will look to Manu.
Kevin Durant
There comes a time when a team like the Warriors becomes vulnerable and relies on one guy to push them through a game. It just so happens that KD was that guy. With Curry gone, they’ve looked to Durant to take over. In game four, everyone from Draymond Green to Shaun Livingston was feeding him the ball. Not just feeding him but forcing the ball down his throat to make shots down the stretch. It reminds me of his days in OKC where the Thunder looked to him to make something happen. Now, I’m not saying that because they lost, Durant is to blame. Durant’s true value to the Warriors showed in Game four alone. He had 36 points, and at one point single-handedly brought the game within two points.
Marcus and Markieff Morris
You might wonder why I have the Morris twins in this article, but they deserve to be known as vets. The two haven’t been exposed to the postseason often in their tenure in the league, but they’ve played major roles on their respective teams.
For Marcus, his value is clear in Boston. He’s producing when Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown can’t get a good rhythm. He’s the backbone of that Boston team this year, and when I saw him with the ball at the end of the game against the Bucks, there was no doubt that Brad Stevens looked to Morris to produce. His presence and ability to knock down the mid-range jumper and get on the glass are qualities to have in the playoffs
As for Markieff, the Wizards have benefited from his play. He’s managed to put up a few double-doubles against the Raptors in their series. He’s become the teams third-option on offense behind Bradley Beal and John Wall, and he’s one of those guys that people are like “why did they sign this guy” then once the playoffs start people are like “oh, that’s why.”
LeBron LeBron LeBron
People love him. People hate him. At the end of the day, you need to respect him. At 33, he’s putting up 30-40 points a night for Cleveland. The major roster overhaul before the trade deadline caused a lot of uncertainty, and it was evident in the first few games. LeBron finds himself back in his early Cleveland days where he’s expected to be the highest scorer, control the glass, and ultimately control the tempo. There’s nothing more to say. He’s the greatest player of all time, and he’s playing like it. It’s a lot to ask of a guy to go out there and do everything, but he’s accepted the challenge.
You don’t need to be the best player on the court, and sometimes one’s presence alone will tell you all you need to know about a player. In the playoffs depth becomes more and more valuable to a team. It’s moments like these where all the hard work made by an organization is shown. Different players step up, and as of late, the few I’ve mentioned have been making a huge impact with their play. Being in the league for a while makes you a vet, but leaders are born in the playoffs.