The Key to Stardom is the Rest of the Team

 

In the early 1970s, Sidney Wicks was a very talented 6’9” forward for UCLA. Sidney became a Bruin when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lewis Alcindor) was on the team. He competed for the wing position on the left side of the floor where Kareem was positioned, along with Lynn Shackelford, a left-handed 6’5” long-range sharp shooter. Lynn had the starting spot since he played that position the previous year when UCLA won the championship.

 

The offensive job description for the left-side forward was to pass to Kareem if he was open, shoot the jump shot if open, or pass to the guard if neither option was available so the team could get a good shot on the other side of the floor or get the ball to Kareem a different way.  

 

Sidney Wicks, Shackelford’s backup and playing far fewer minutes than Lynn, did not have Shack’s shooting range but he was a much-better athlete. In practice, he out-rebounded and out-defended Shack, not to mention scoring on the fast break with his incredible speed. Half-way into the season, this prompted Wicks to pay Coach Wooden a visit in his office to plead his case for replacing Lynn. This is how Coach Wooden explained the meeting to me.

 

Sidney told me, “Coach. You know I’m better than Shack.” I told him, “I know you are, Sidney, and it’s a shame you’re letting Lynn beat you out.” Sidney was under the false impression; I was responsible for his lack of playing time when in actuality he was. He was trying to do too much and, at times, it hindered the flow of the offense. Now that he had an open mind, I went on to encourage him to concentrate his efforts on doing the things we needed him to do so the team would operate at its most-efficient level.

 

After Kareem graduated, Sidney Wicks was our best player. Had he been on any other team, he could have easily been the leading scorer in the nation. But he continued to do things Wooden’s way, doing what the team needed, allowing his teammates to do what they did best, and eagerly-shunning a desire for personal glory. This team spirit resulted in two more NCAA championships for UCLA, but for Wicks, a nice surprise.

 

Coach Wooden said, “The key to stardom is the rest of the team.” And he was correct. In two years as a starter, Sidney Wicks was:

1. Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, 1970
2. Helms National Co-Player of the Year, 1970
3. USBWA and Sporting News Player of the Year, 1971
4. Two-time Consensus All-American, 1970, 1971

 

Teamwork

Swen Nater

 

I have awed at a solo performance,

And spectacular flashy display,

But I crave for the best,

And my eyes are more blessed,

When an unselfish team makes a play.

 

A play that’s so perfect and simple,

With the weaving of role with a role,

Every piece partly seen,

Like a fine-tuned machine,

And you notice not one but the whole.

 

Like an orchestra tuned to perfection,

Where harmonious beauty is found,

Every note has a quest,

To be part of the rest,

And the whole is a masterpiece sound.

 

Every wild one, once blinded by glory,

Is now cured and is one of the tame.

He receives his esteem,

As a part of the team,

And is eager to sacrifice fame.

 

It’s amazing what teams have accomplished.

It’s astounding how much they have done,

When the ultimate call,

Is when one is for all,

And the credit is reached for by none.