It's the 'one percenters' that make all the difference to a team

Fair enough, Keith. Back to the topic. One of the interesting things about American sports, I think, is that those one percenters often end up getting big contract deals once they're noticed. And it's not always for the best.

Artest still gets booed at the Palace - that's not because of his jump shot. Saw it in this month's ESPN magazine as well. I don't mean that it is on every fan's mind all the time, but it's definitely not been forgotten. I saw it live (on TV) so it's I'm not going to forget it in a hurry.

I follow the NBA on a daily basis and I'd forgotten about it until you brought it up. It's just an outside observation, but Americans seem desensitised to any sort of sporting controversy these days. The media tries to blow things up, but the seasons keep marching on.

Blows over in a week? Come on OJ, that incident is still making the press today. I wasn't watching NBA in the 70s, but I know Stern pretty much had kittens over Artest. Anyway, here's another candidate for darkest moment in the NBA: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1398409/paul_brogan_nba_finals_rap/

Washington almost killed another player. The late 70s were dark days for the league. Crowds were down, there was a widespread drug problem. These days the crowd brawl or ref fixing is water off a duck's back. It blows over in weeks. I bet Stern had a tougher time banning Michael Ray Richardson from the NBA than he did dealing with Artest. The lowest point in NBA history would've been the truth about Jordan coming out if Stern hadn't shipped him off to baseball. That is if you believe the rumours.

Artest attacked a fan. He climbed into the stands and attacked a FAN. Washington at least hurt another player. I'm also more annoyed with Artest because last year I went to an NBA game for the first time and had to put up with ridiculous limits on the amount of beer I could get. Post Ron-Ron the league seems to be terrified of crowds going on alcholic rampages.

Nah, Kermit Washington's sucker punch on Rudy T was worse than that.

Melon, Ron Artest was also responsible for probably the lowest point in the history of the NBA: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1875149266123369069&ei=456SSayFD6O6qAOylKmgDQ&q=ron+artest&hl=en To be fair his type of whackyness is not representative of the league, but pro basketball in the US is reported in a way that holds the individual above the team. Kind of strange for a sport which so heavy relies on teamwork.

Great article and great responses all. I suppose this is that "No dickheads" policy that the Swans (for one) adopted a couple of years ago. And then seemingly abandoned by hiring Barry Hall. The other situation this quandry is faced is of course in the business world. (Whistle: having looked at your website, I'm sure you could comment on this better than I) A business unit full of Bichels is going to run vastly smoother and outperform one full of "Ron Artests" (using Keiths example above). Then again in business you also end up with some managers calling for you to "do that little bit extra for the team" and in the next breath complain how the company isn't forking out the cost of them getting to the management retreat in the Hunter Valley this year. Not that I'm bitter or anything.

JohnB, I'm with you on Haddin not being blameless, in fact in the audio, he clearly asks "Do you want it?" as he's turning. He probbaly could have said "No" himself at this point, but obviously put all his faith in Hussey's call. Hussey then of course turned blind, said "Yes" as he looked up, but then said "No" and presumably "Sorry.." amongst a few other adjectives..

To revert to the original theme of Whistle's piece, really interesting article in today's Electronic Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/england/4581023/Statistics-reveal-England-struggle-with-Kevin-Pietersen-and-Andrew-Flintoff-in-tandem.html (WFS) about how England have gone in games since the 2005 Ashes when they've had both Pietersen and Flintoff playing. Stats can of course be misleading it has to be remembered.

LK, certainly the runout was overwhelmingly Hussey's mistake - just saying Haddin isn't entirely blameless. On red ink, I accept that views will differ. I think in a chase like that you aim to win with a couple of overs to spare. The risk of steadily creeping up to the target in the last over is that you leave yourself having to get 6 or 7 off that last over, losing a wicket early and the new batsman not being able to get off strike. Thus while they needed a comfortable 30 off about 6 when Hussey got out, they still needed a couple of big shots to get that buffer. The power play was on, and he was seeing the ball, so that was a reasonable time to try for it for mine. Pity about the execution mind you.

JohnB, may have to agree to disagree. Hussey turned blind, then made a "yes-no" call. The red ink would have been better for the team, ie to ensure victory.

Two comments from US sports stars have stuck in my mind because they are hillarious. - The MVP of this year's Superbowl in his postmatch interview said something along the lines of "When it came down to it, I wanted the ball because in great situations, great players make great plays, and I made the play." - A couple of years ago, NBA player Ron Artest was interviewed after a match and was asked about the play that lead to his game winning shot. His answer was short: "yeah, that was a great jump shot by me."

LK, the runout wasn't too good, although Haddin was entitled to call no himself so can't be completely blameless. An alternative way of looking at Hussey's dismissal is to say that if he was really playing for himself he would have settled back for the red ink.

Nice article, The Whistle. Certainly topical after watching Dave Hussey bat last night. He runs out the form batsman of the side, then goes the tonk in pursuit of his ton, rather than steering the team across the line.

Great article Whistle. I had a look at your website, and can say that I'm impressed. A good introduction on what makes a great team. Perhaps other teams can follow this model for success?

Great work The whistle - keep blowing. Fascinating insight into Steve Waugh's attitude. It occurred to me the otehr day when I heard that one of the A League Football sides had signed a player from another club mid season (a not irregular occurrence) that it must be hard for those pro football players to develop any sort of loyalty to the team and the club. It is even more prevalent overseas. How can these blokes truly eke out the one percenters? Maybe they can but I just cant get my head around it. The one percenter in Rugby that I look to is the player who is prepared to dive on the loose ball in the face of oncoming traffic.

A good team requires all the different types, & frankly, a sports team is a microcosm of life at large. People may contribute differently according to their abilities. But the key is that everyone gives the best of themselves, & everyone respects each other's contributions. There was a wonderful book preview I read in the Time magazine about this very thing, & I still want to purchase the book. A journalist was imbedded with the Cambridge rowing team, learning about their training methods & how they selected their final 'head of the river' eight team for the clash with Oxford. As someone who has rowed surfboats, I know there are fewer more critical team environments than a rowing boat. When the selectors made their final position choice, senior team mates vetoed the selection. Although the guy selected was obviously the best of the remaining rowers for the position, the other key rowers preferred a Canadian guy, who these rowers felt, because of his personality & commitment, allowed the others to express themselves better, both in & out of the boat. It's all very interesting. We've all heard the expression of a great team being "greater the sum of its parts". And "a great team will beat a team of greats". The trick as a selector is not always picking the best credentialed player for each position, but picking a player whose personality & character meshes with his team mates. When a team starts going through many personnel changes as the current Australian cricket team is undergoing, it's difficult to find the central fulcrum of the team. And it takes a while before the "new" personality shape of the team emerges. My favourite cricket team is Ian Chappell's of the mid-1970s. They played hard & partied hard. Like typical Aussies, they took the "piss" out of each other as well as the opposition. They had a lot of laughs without forgetting about the hard yakka required. Chappelli was a revered captain who stuck up for his team against management. Ian Redpath, Ross Edwards, Rick McCosker & Ashley Mallett were quiet types with a quiet sense of humour who meshed well with the boisterous & mischievous Chappell brothers, Ian & Greg, Doug Walters, Rod Marsh, Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson, Max Walker, Gary Gilmour & Terry Jenner. There have been better cricket teams, although not that many. But this team played with a wonderful spirit for each other & their country. Definitely a bunch of guys to be in the trenches with, or to play for your life.