It was as if a state of grace had descended upon those players, and for a moment they could do no wrong. Larry Bird would drive down the court and pass the ball without looking toward what seemed to be empty hardwood. But just as the ball was headed out of bounds, Kevin McHale would simply appear exactly where he was supposed to be. And then he’d throw the ball to the side—again, seemingly without looking—and Robert Parish would just happen to be perfectly positioned for a shot. That absolute alignment of purpose and trust is something that creates greatness.
