If you grew up watching basketball in the 80’s, there was not a more mesmerizing team than the famed “Showtime” Lakers. In the Hulu documentary Legacy, about the LA Lakers, it reveals a backstory of Jerry Buss and the transformation of the Los Angeles Lakers (AKA - “Showtime”). From the fast breaks, no look passes, sky hook, and Magic’s mega-watt smile, that team was electric and entertaining and the biggest stars in Hollywood would come to cheer on Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, AC Green, and Byron Scott each night. However, at one point, Byron Scott found himself struggling deeply, not playing well and pushing people away.

With encouragement from Coach Pat Riley, Scott spoke to the team, opened up and shared his struggle... his mom was addicted to drugs, and he was afraid for her life. This NBA star broke down in tears in front of this group of men, and his teammates rallied around him, hugged him and told him, “We got you, you are not alone.” The team started spending more time together outside of basketball, in each other’s homes, and with each other’s families, and they became deep friends in the process. As a result, the team came together, Scott ended up playing his best basketball, and they won an NBA Championship that season.

Just as there is a big difference between the “Showtime” act that most fans saw on the hardwood in the Forum and the reality of the real challenges these men faced, there is a difference between what people see on social media and what we face in our everyday lives. Like Byron Scott, men need to learn how to be sincere, and share what is really going on in their lives.

In ancient Rome, the marketplace was flooded with dishonest merchants who would sell cracked and chipped pottery. Unscrupulous merchants would fill cracks and chips with wax and paint the pottery, so it looked like it was spotless and perfect. When the buyer got home and the pottery was tested by the heat of the sun or furnace, all its imperfections would be exposed. To combat this deception, salesmen began putting up signs in front of their pottery which read - “sin cera” or, “without wax.”

By sharing his struggles with his teammates, Byron Scott did something brave. In light of his bravery, every one of his teammates stepped up and came to his side, and everyone grew closer as a result. What if every man, woman, boy and girl had a team like this?

Finding Your Band of Brothers: Forging Deep Friendships in a Shallow World is a new IMPACT Cohort study for men who want to grow as husbands, fathers, and leaders. If you are a man who believes that forging deep friendships is important, we encourage you to join or start an IMPACT Cohort and participate in this 7 week study. Take action here.