SPORTSPASTOR

The Florida Gators reminded the basketball world last night of the difference between college basketball and professional basketball. At the collegiate level, the winning schools are the ones with the best teams. At the NBA level, the winning franchises are the ones with the best player or players. At the collegiate level, it takes a coach with a great system and an amazing grasp on how to best motivate his team. At the NBA level, it takes a coach with a great player and an amazing grasp of how to best motivate that player to greatness.

The Florida Gators know this because their coach believes in the power of team. Billy Donovan began his quest for back-to-back national championships by convincing his team to return from the top of the world back to campus for at least one more season. They chose to take finals over joining a team that might be destined for the NBA Finals. As a result, they became the first team to win back-to-back NCAA basketball championships with the same starting five! The Florida Gators are once again the champs because they have the best team. The Detroit Pistons are probably the only NBA franchise in the last 20 years who have won an NBA Championship with the best team.

Interesting Note: The NFL New England Patriot dynasty has been built around the team concept by head coach Bill Belichick. Prior to their first Super Bowl victory and thereafter coach Belichick requested that his players be introduced as a team during the player introductions. This is the same Belichick who has been a mentor to Florida coach Billy Donovan, and who was courtside last night to watch the best team and his student prevail.