Monday, March 05, 2007

"The team has a beef between the post and the point, this puts the ring in jeopardy"


"The team has a beef between the post and the point, this puts the ring in jeopardy"
Virtues: Team work, self-actualization, commitment, self



I gather that this quote relates to the concept of team dynamics, more than Jay-z's attempt to try to explain why the Roc broke up. This quote refers to basketball fundamentals and how it relates in group functioning. From my understanding of basketball, the point guard is known as the 'leader' as they call shots and run plays for the rest of the team to execute; furthermore, the point guard is known as the 'go to guy' when the team needs to score. In contrast, the post player is reserved as a power player that is known to deliver strength and power when needed, but is usually known as a contributory/secondary player. Thus, one can imagine the friction and tension that can arise when the post player starts to call the shots and tries to take a leadership role from the point guard.

Thus, it can say that team dynamics can be threatened by egos and role identity. For a team/group to be successful, all of the components that make up that team must be 'on the same page', firing on all cylinders. Unified. The team must be able to absorb the idea of 'collectivism' instead of 'individualism'. However, I'm afraid that in Western society, collectivism rarely works. We are very absorbed in ourselves and in our own individual goals (which is not necessarily bad, depending on the situation). Its natural for us to want to excel until we reach a state of 'self-actualization' - a state of realizing our true potential. But I believe problems arise when our self-actualization manifests into a cocky/deceitful attitude - by overthrowing our undermining those that helped you reach your self-actualization.

To all you MySpace Music Groups
Taking a look at high profile examples, it seems that it is natural for us to start off as a group, but the group can not last for too long - as egos grow, group cohesiveness gets weaker and weaker over time. From the Beatles, Jackson 5, Fugees, various boy bands, Cash Money, No Limit - the team dynamics of a group must be strong for any sort of longevity. On a daily basis I get mail from various groups on MySpace promoting their clique and music, and I wonder if these groups will have any longevity. Yeah, its easy to come together and unite when you have no money, but what happens when the group gets a little bit of success? The point guard can't run a team when the post & forward are only concerned about their individual numbers as opposed to actually winning the game ... and I think a lot of you groups out there are going to have trouble – unless your group has some compromising and rational individuals … which is a rarity, not only in music groups, but in life in general.

So if your in a group, duo or band, it is interesting to note that your role in the collective is to attribute not only to the 'greater good' of the group, but to also develop your own individual skills and develop your own character and personality. And once you reach this personal stage, one has to figure out if they want to keep playing the supporting role on the team or run the point guard position on a new team.

Good luck. Peace.

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posted by Vacant Lot @ 9:08 PM Comments: 0