In Bill Cartwright's view, team spirit is a unifying force that can deliver results and guide a team on the path to success.
And he should know, having played a starring role for the Chicago Bulls' first three-peat (1990-91, 1991-92 and 1992-93) and absorbing hoops lessons from legendary NBA mentors Phil Jackson and Red Holzman, among others, along the way.
Team spirit was a vital ingredient for the Evessa on Sunday. And while the Sendai 89ers buckled under pressure, and faded down the stretch, the Evessa stood tall, like their 216-cm bench boss Cartwright, an antsy, vocal, animated figure patrolling the sideline in the series finale at Bayside Arena. The Evessa weathered the storm — a rocky first quarter — and emerged victorious, beating the hosts 79-66.