Team chemistry, performance pressure, and when things matter

Katerina Bezrukova, Chester Spell and Alex Lindsey

Chapter 9 in Research Handbook on Group Decision Making, 2026, pp 160-181 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Individual talent alone does not guarantee team success. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), many “superteams” stacked with star players have failed to meet expectations, while less celebrated rosters have captured championships. Scholars and practitioners often point to “team chemistry” as a key factor, yet the construct remains poorly defined. We conceptualize chemistry as the intangible contributions to success that emerge from both diversity and “pockets of sameness” within teams. Using data on NBA lineups (a group of players), we show that subgroup divisions, or faultlines within a lineup need not create dysfunction; instead, they can enhance performance beyond what traditional metrics like Player Efficiency Rating capture. Importantly, chemistry effects are strongest early in the season, when supportive subgroups foster resilience, but fade in the playoffs as opponent-specific strategies dominate. Our findings highlight lineup chemistry as a measurable, dynamic resource that coaches and managers can strategically leverage across the season.

Keywords: Faultlines; Team chemistry; NBA teams; Performance pressure; Lineup performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035331239
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