"A lot of the times it's not like you're analyzing what the other guy is thinking, it's just a pure reaction, and it becomes instinctual," Sullivan told me. "The more time you spend playing next to each other, the easier that is, and the more that develops. I mean, look, we still have to talk to each other in games about adjustments, what we're seeing, maybe certain footsteps, guys' footwork gets in the way of other people. There are always little things to work out, that's just part of the game, it's imperfect. But when it comes down to it, that process is very streamlined because we are so familiar with each other and we have such great continuity."