Difference Maker this Season and with this Team

[Stifle Tower]

I think the biggest difference is one intangible - Deron as the undisputed leader on this team.

That's important, but to be a great team you need your leader to bring toughness, an indomitable will to win and accountability so that his teammates know if they screw up he's going to get in their face, not give them a high-five.

And to that I would add Raja Bell. A veteran player, tough guy, one of AK's buddies. Is it coincidence AK is playing like he hasn't since Raja left (and Boozer came aboard). Or that the streak started after Raja's half-time speech in Miami? Bell ain't all that in terms of his defense and shooting; both have declined from just a couple of years ago. But he still busts his $#@ of and doesn't back down from anyone.

Also, credit Sloan (or Johnson) for playing the mighty-mites together. I remember how we were all arguing over who should be the back-up PG and who should be #3. I don't recall ANYONE ever suggesting they should play together. We had some, including myself, thinking Earl might get some time with Deron, allowing Williams to play some at the 2. But no one suggested Price and Watson should anchor the second unit.