Teams
Did you know?
Did you know the first-ever NBA game was played in Toronto in 1946 between the New York Knickerbockers and the Toronto Huskies?
Are you ready to learn about teamwork? Let's begin!
Try it!
Teams need to be able to work together to achieve their goals. What are some characteristics of successful teams?
Record your ideas in the following mind map provided or in another method of your choice.
The following interactive is functional on desktop only.
Press the Start button to access the following interactive. This interactive will open in a new window.
Teamwork
Kevin Durant
I'll play all five positions if my team needs me to.
Kevin Durant, #35 of the Phoenix Suns (2023), flanked by Nikola Jokic, #15 of the Denver Nuggets (2023), Aaron Gordon, #50 of the Denver Nuggets (2023), and Michael Porter Jr., #1 of the Denver Nuggets (2023), May 11, 2023.
Logo for the Boston Celtics
A team is a group of individuals that work together to achieve a goal.
The 2021-2022 Boston Celtics played in the NBA Finals in 2022. Despite injuries, this team progressed to the NBA Finals.
Their coach worked with the young players on the team to not simply play for themselves but to play team basketball. This worked very well for the team as they learned to play with more resilience and collaboration, which created a sense of team spirit. This spirit helped them win games, eventually leading them all the way to the finals. Even when they were missing valuable players or when players were not playing their best games, they came together and communicated how they would cover for each other on the court.
For a team to work well together, like the 2021-2022 Boston Celtics, the players on the team need to develop the following skills:
Players need to support others, share their feelings and concerns, and express any issues that they feel are important with their peers and teammates.
It is important for players to never give up, even if the game is difficult or the team is down.
Players need to have important discussions with each other, during and outside of the game.
When players try to understand each other, they can work better together.
When players understand that they are valued, they will have confidence and willingly participate.
Think
Which of the skills did the 2021-2022 Boston Celtics display in their season?
Take a moment and reflect on your learning!
Try it!
Place the following cards into categories that best match. Sort the characteristics as "Demonstrated" or "Not demonstrated" in the profile.
Skills
Choose one of the skills that help create a strong team and explain how the 2021-2022 Boston Celtics demonstrated this skill.
Record your explanation in a method of your choice.
Teamwork
Let's take some time to assess our knowledge about teamwork!
Try it!
Determine which teamwork skills are being demonstrated for the following scenarios.
For each of the following questions, select the correct answer from the options provided. Then, press Check Answer to check your understanding.
Excellent work! You may continue to reflect on the value of working with others and why it’s important in life as well as in sports. But first, you deserve a break!