What can Lakers-Heat teach the Philadelphia 76ers

1. Find tone-setters

Emotional leaders are vastly under-appreciated in basketball. Usually the leader of the team is the best player on the floor and rightfully so, for the one with the most talent, must carry the most responsibility. However, a tone setter doesn’t have to be the best player on the floor. It could be someone who believes in the vision of the team, and their play on and off the floor exemplifies that.

L.A. has a stable of leaders, led by LeBron James, who believe in the team vision. How else can you explain the play of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope? Or Dwight Howard? Or Alex Caruso? Or Markieff Morris? These are players who are leading by example. They aren’t called on to be out in front, but they are still leaders.

Miami has the same, led by the aforementioned Jimmy Butler, and a player that hasn’t seen a minute of floor time throughout the playoffs: Udonis Haslem. When Miami has needed a rallying cry, Haslem has been the voice that Heat players and coaching staff has relied on. Even Meyers Leonard has set the tone sitting on the bench, cheering on his teammates, emitting good vibes to everyone on the Heat bench.

The Philadelphia 76ers need tone setters on their roster. Guys who buy in to the vision, who hold each other responsible, and lead by example. Doc Rivers will quickly diagnose this and will bring in guys that are not just talented, but also believe in the team vision.