Two words:  Nick Collison.

Who is Nick Collison?  Collison is a backup forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder who averages 5 points per game.   Even if you're not a basketball fan, you might recognize the Thunder since it's the franchise that currently showcases NBA superstar Kevin Durant (who I like to call the "other" KD).  

Why are we talking about Nick Collison?  Last night the Thunder were playing the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas in the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs. The game was back and forth, and like most basketball teams, there's a point in the game when both teams have good portions of their bench in the game to rest the starters (read: the stars).  

That time came and went in the 4th quarter of the game.  Dallas brought back their stars.  The Thunder were playing well, so Thunder coach Scott Brooks stayed with his bench in the game against the Dallas starters.

A funny thing happened - the scrubs made a run and went up by 10 with 4 minutes to go.  The announcers were looking down the sidelines, expecting the Thunder starters to check into the game to finish it out.

Brooks stayed with the scrubs.  They built the 10 point lead, it was theirs to finish.

Dallas made a run and cut it to six with 2 minutes left.  Scrub and longtime NBA role player Nick Collison found himself with the ball and a clear path to the basket.  He was fouled hard.

Nick goes to the free throw line.  Misses both, Dallas comes down and scores, cutting the lead to 4.

"You gotta come back with the starters", the announcers chirp.

Brooks stays with the scrubs.

Oklahoma City has the ball back on the other end.  A guard is trapped off a pick and roll, and the pass goes to - you guessed it- Nick Collison.  He didn't miss a beat, driving and getting fouled.  Thunder up 4, Collison bricked the last two and is left in the game at closing time.  The Dallas arena is going crazy.  He just bricked two, he's going to do it again and the Mavericks are going to get a win!  Scott Brooks is going to lose his job over this one!  My god, it's the playoffs!  What is he doing?

Nick Collison doesn't flinch.  He drops two free throws to put the lead back to 6, then makes a great defensive play on the other end to basically put the game out of reach.

Nick. Freaking. Collison.  Stars on the bench.  Nick and fellow bench friends on the floor.  You got us the lead, finish it out.

How much street creditability did Scott Brooks buy with that move?  How much deeper is his bench as a result of sticking with the scrubs who were performing well, even when it looked like it was all going to go to hell in the biggest game of the year?

You want a deep team in your company?  When the role players deliver, let them take it to the finish line.  Don't bring in the stars to run a pitch or meeting or project that the role player delivered.  

Don't flinch when it looks like they're going to fold.  You'll likely be surprised related to what they're capable of if you let them finish it out.

Especially if you show you believe when they struggle near the end.

Nick. Freaking. Collison.