Keys to Success This Season: Sports & Psychology

The cross between social psychology and sports has always been such an intriguing one. Basketball is a physical game, but one of the keys to success is combining the mental with the physical. Coming off of an offseason filled with drama that NBA fans didn’t need to tune into any daytime television shows. The result of all of the trades, petty wars, and new acquisitions remains to be seen. Whether or not some of these new-look teams can win games will have a lot to do with what’s going on in the locker room, as well as inside everyone’s heads. Here are  five concepts of social psychology tied to six teams in the league, along with what each team will need to do to ensure success in that particular area going forward this season.

1.) Philadelphia 76ers- Sports Psychology 101

Concept: Successful athletes realize that they are part of a larger system and that their actions affect everyone around them.

How history defines “the process” may very well be decided by how things play out in Philly this season. With Joel Embiid getting a max contract of $148 mil over five years, it will be up to him to show the front office and the fans that he was worth it. Staying healthy and playing hard will define just how successful other players around him like Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz will be. Embiid’s keys to success include being self-aware and proactive as a player and not jeopardizing his future.

2.) Oklahoma City Thunder- Social Penetration Theory

Concept: As relationships develop between people, communication grows from shallow and convenient, to intimate and deep,

By paying his superstar first, Sam Presti not only secured the future of the Thunder for years to come, but also showed a sign of good faith to his newest members who may have wondered if they would be cared for there as well. In order to keep Paul George from escaping to LA next year, the Thunder will need to go above and beyond to make sure he is sold, and that will need to be a group effort. Keys to success in OKC include surrounding PG with a supportive atmosphere where winning is most likely to happen.  That will start with the relationships formed in the locker room and how they translate onto the court.

3.) Los Angeles Lakers- Motivation Theory/ Observational Theory

Concept: Members of a group will tend to do better the higher the incentive is. Increase the motivation, and the chances of the positive behavior increasing go up. Observational Learning Theory says that the desired behavior can be acquired by observation and imitation of others.

The Lakers have already started using the motivation theory and that’s a part of what led them to become summer league champions. With players like Briante Weber and Vander Blue called up from G-league on the roster, everyone was fighting for the spotlight and leaving their all on the court. Familiar faces like Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle have no option but to prove their worth on both ends of the court to ensure that they are not cut come summer when the team has plans to make big moves. The Lakers success hinges on less experienced players learning from the greats like Magic and Luke Walton and absorbing good in game habits from each other such as Lonzo Ball’s infectious passing. The keys to success for each individual on this team include not only playing hard every night, but also being willing to learn and adjust their game to help the team.

4.) Sacramento Kings/ Los Angeles Lakers- Changing Team Culture

Concept- Team culture is an expression of a team’s values, attitudes, and beliefs about sports. Whatever the team’s focus is will affect how they are perceived by other teams in the league, as well as by their fans.

The LA Clippers have always had to fight for their spot in a city that has historically been all in on another team. With the acquisition of Chris Paul a few years back, they started to prove that they were more than just the forgotten stepchild at Staples Center. In order for them to continue that momentum without CP3, Blake Griffin and company will have to build a winning culture and find a way to standalone outside of the Lakers shadow. The Kings are in the same predicament but they’re off to a good start since drafting new talent that has reenergjzed their fans and will hopefully help them move farther up in the standings than they have in the past. The keys to success for both CA teams will be to focus on rewriting the narrative in their cities and doing things different.

5.) Cleveland Cavaliers- Role Definition & Interdependence

Concept- Members of a group will succeed more if they have a clear indication of what their role is in the bigger system and how that helps the group function as a whole. Communication and feedback is key.

If the Cavs are to meet the Warriors in the Finals again and get revenge, they must make sure each player is aware of what their responsibility is and execute it effectively. Losing Kyrie Irving, moving JR Smith out of the starting five and adding Dwayne Wade, cutting vets like Richard Jefferson- all of these changes will require strong communication between King James and his players, as well as team management, or else things will get very uncomfortable very quickly. This will be one of the most important keys to success for this Cavaliers team.