A Team? Or a Collection of Stars?

Warning - This is a "Sports as Business Team" Metaphor zone!

Yesterday, the NY Giants played the Seattle Seahawks without their best offensive weapon, Plaxico Burress. They had suspended him for violating team policy.

They then went out and defeated the Seattle Seahawks 44-6, the Giants biggest victory since 1972.

With Burress out, Eli Manning completed passes to eight different receivers.

This is just one case in a continuous series for the Giants. 

• Two years ago, their top running back Tiki Barber retired. Everyone wondered how the Giants would recover, but they replaced him with three running backs and never missed him. 
• At mid-season, All-pro tight end Jeremy Shockey was injured and the team got better, eventually winning the Super Bowl.
• This year, future Hall-of-Fame end Michael Strahan retired and the Giants only All-Pro, Osi Umineyora was injured. The Giants have continued to be 4-0 so far.
• Now, Burress goes out. And the beat goes on...

What does all this mean from a management perspective?

I don't know for sure, but I'd like to propose a few lessons.

1. No Excuses - Whatever you might say about Giants Coach Tom Coughlin (and plenty of people have had plenty to say), he's a 'no excuse' guy. You play with what you have. This attitude is a lot more constructive than 'woe is me'.
2. No One is Bigger than the Team - Coughlin and the Giants are very explicit about this. No one is bigger than the team. How often have you thought, "We can't make it without him/her"? You're probably wrong.
3. Others will Rise to the Occasion - One risk of having stars is that everyone else becomes observers. Then, when they're needed, they're conditioned to just stand around watching.

It's an interesting thing to watch. Each time a star goes down, the Giants get better. 

The talent doesn't get better, but the chemistry does...

How about you? Have you got a team? Or a collection of stars?

Could your team be better with less stars?