There Are Few Better Feelings As A Fan Than Watching Your Favorite Team Find Their Next Franchise Cornerstone

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Regardless of the sport, truly finding "The Guy" is one of the hardest things you can do in professional sports. It's not just about having the scouting skills to identify a prospect and then the coaching skills to bring the best out of him. You also need to be pretty damn lucky. It's something that, if done correctly, can change the entire future of your organization. If you swing and miss, it can set you back decades. 

One might think that simply drafting high will guarantee you this cornerstone player for your favorite franchise, but as we've seen, that's not exactly how things work. We see busts all the time when it comes to high draft picks and supposed franchise saviors. You want to talk yourself into that piece actually being The Guy, but deep down in places you don't talk about, you know they aren't. It may have looked like you had it at certain times, but it's not until you see a real franchise cornerstone caliber player that you realize what you had been previously watching wasn't quite up to that level.

I bring this up, of course, coming off the heels of what the entire sports world watched last night in Buffalo, NY. The world saw what Patriots fans had been hoping, wishing, and praying for. That finally, after years and years of searching and dogshit quarterback play, that they finally, at long last, have "The Guy"

You can look at all the stats you want, but when it comes to this topic, it's more than just the on field/on court/on diamond production. When it comes to being "The Guy", not only do you need the stats, but it's also a "know it when you see it" type of situation. It requires coming through in big spots when opportunities present themselves. It's about elevating the play of everyone else around you. It's about showing up every single day and being willing and able to shoulder the pressure of carrying an entire franchise.

It's why truly finding "The Guy" is so hard, and when you finally do, it changes everything.

Just look at the Boston Celtics. In 2017-18, they found their guy. Remember, back then, Jayson Tatum was not the consensus #1 pick. In fact, some out there thought Danny Ainge fucked up when he made that trade with the Sixers to move down to #3 and select Jayson Tatum. Right away, we were shown signs that they had, in fact, found their next franchise cornerstone

In the following years, it was only made more clear. Multiple All NBAs, most playoff points ever by age 27, every night doing shit on the floor the Celts as a franchise had not seen since Larry Bird, Game 6 vs MIL, Game 7 vs PHI, the entire 2024 run, the fact that the Celts have the most wins in the regular season and the postseason in the entire NBA since Tatum was drafted, the list goes on and on. And frankly, that's just the on-court stuff. As a leader, there may not be a better example of being "The Guy" in the entire league than Tatum. No drama, no headlines, just hard work. He plays every night regardless of opponent because he understands the standard that he must uphold. Shit, he's even doing everything possible to recover from his Achilles tear in record fashion because the guy is that much of a basketball sicko. You literally cannot build a more perfect franchise player than Jayson Tatum.

Just look at the Red Sox. Their season was a disaster until Roman Anthony got called up, and right away, he made it very clear that he is their version of "The Guy" for the next 10+ years (until John Henry probably trades him for wanting a massive extension or whatever)

You're lying to yourself if you watch Roman Anthony and don't get Young Jayson Tatum vibes (Anthony is 21). The same way Tatum came right in as a rookie and destroyed everything in his path, Anthony did the same thing before getting hurt to end his season. It's no surprise that everything you hear about him is how much he only cares about baseball, working hard, and being "The Guy". Sound familiar? No drama, no bullshit, just an understanding of what is required of a player in his position.

Just look at the Patriots. Lord knows, finding a franchise quarterback might actually be impossible. Some franchises have gone multiple decades and are still looking for that level of player. In football, if you don't have the QB, nothing else really matters. Now imagine having to find a guy to carry the torch of the greatest to ever do it, and being "The Guy" for the Patriots is a bit different than any other franchise. With Drake Maye, there were flashes in his rookie season

And now in Year 2 with better talent and better coaching, we're all watching the leap happen in real time. Just like we saw it with Tatum in his Year 2, and I'm sure we'll also see it with Roman Anthony in his. 

Here's the thing about finding "The Guy". Once you realize you have it, that's really only the beginning. It doesn't guarantee you will eventually become a champion, but what we do know is that if you don't have one, you have no shot. In the same way the Celts had to continue tinkering with their roster, and it took years of falling short and going through hell until they reached the top of the mountain, they got there in large part because they were led by a true franchise cornerstone talent. They had the foundation, which is what matters most.

The Sox will have to address their lineup and the top end of their rotation if they want to get serious about contending for a World Series, but the fact that things will be led by Roman Anthony means they are most likely closer than most. They have the foundation.

The Patriots, same thing. We are still in the early stages of this era's rebuild, so it will take some additional time to get to the top of the mountain. But it's not a stretch to say building out the rest of the roster is a whole hell of a lot easier if you know the guy playing the most important position is "The Guy". You guessed it, they have secured their foundation.

As a fan, there's really nothing better. For Boston fans, we've seen what having "The Guy" can do for our favorite teams. In this city, that means parades. When your favorite team lands that generational piece, it does wonders for your brain as a fan. It gives you hope, it gives you excitement, and if history tells us anything, it means titles are on the way.

Between Tatum, Anthony, and Maye, it feels like all three have done it. They found "The Guy", arguably the hardest thing to do in sports. If that doesn't have you excited, well then you're either a hater who is butthurt that the Boston reign over the sports world isn't going anywhere, or you're a dead person.