I'm not sure when the game of basketball became an individual sport. Maybe everyone wants to be like Mike (Michael Jordan), so they think that means they have to be a dominant scorer and have amazing stats. Maybe everyone wants to be like Kobe and try to drop 81 points in a game and become known as cold-blooded winner nicknamed "The Black Mamba". Maybe winning has become the sole focus of players and they only associate winning with doing well themselves.
However you want to slice it, the game of hoops is changing. You can wander into any gym and find a player who is only concerned about scoring. That kid (or adult) typically blames others for losing, takes bad shots, plays pathetic defense and talks trash to opponents. The alternative to that is the kid (or adult) who actually has a decent all-around game but is seeping cockiness out of their ears. This happens in the NBA, NCAA, high school games, pick up basketball, recreational leagues and playgrounds (basically anywhere basketball can be played). I like to call it "bad basketball". Other times I get more creative and call it "Me, me, me ball" or "NBA2k in real life" (where you will find out who your dominant players are and just use them to beat your opponent, while throwing all team basketball logic aside in order to get the win on the video game).
I just played in a basketball league where we had 4 of the most talented players in the entire league. Fortunately, 2 of them were excellent team players. Unfortunately, the other 2 guys were the opposite. I blame myself though. There's something about me that attracts these players who have the worst attitudes but also think they are God's gift to basketball. The 2 players who didn't buy into the system of team ball perhaps cost us the championship game. One of the players was a dominant slasher and scorer. However, he had no intensity on defense and had way too many turnovers. His decision-making also could have been better. The other player might have been a bigger waste of talent because he was extremely tall but decided not to use his height as an advantage. He would rather shoot 3 pointers from half court. Both of these players could have been more effective but they chose not to sacrifice their egos for the good of the team.
The problem with players who have a selfish mentality is that they are not interested in listening to suggestions or constructive criticism. I hope that for the future of the game, more and more NBA superstars and coaches preach team basketball and unification so that these good habits trickle down and have an impact. It is simple to understand that together everyone achieves more, but for whatever reason many find glory in personal accomplishments only. I'd rather lose together, than win by myself, but that's just me...and the Celtics...and the Mavericks... :)
