When it comes to product offerings, Apple’s approach to business is a lot like that of a Basketball coach. Would you rather have a smaller team comprised of only 7 All-Stars, or a full 12 man roster with 1 All-Star, 2 above average players, 3 mediocre players, and 6 benchwarmers. The Dream Team wins every time, baby.

From: Why a Simple Product Line is Integral to Apple’s Success – Edible Apple

Umm, Dream Team doesn’t win every time. See, e.g. the 2004 NBA Finals. Detroit Pistons vs. LA Lakers.

Detroit won in five games.

LA’s roster:

Kobe Bryant
Shaquille O’Neal
Gary Payton
Karl Malone
Slava Medvedenko
Devean George
Derek Fisher
Kareem Rush
Rick Fox
Brian Cook
Horace Grant
Bryon Russell
Jamal Sampson
Luke Walton
Ime Udoka

Detroit’s roster:

Richard Hamilton
Chauncey Billups
Rasheed Wallace
Tayshaun Prince
Mehmet Okur
Ben Wallace
Corliss Williamson
Mike James
Elden Campbell
Lindsey Hunter
Darvin Ham
Darko Milicic
Tremaine Fowlkes

Okay, I don’t want to get into an analysis of who was past his prime or who made (or deserved) the 2004 All-Star team. But I think it’s more than fair to say LA’s squad was a little more stacked then Detroit’s. (I know Malone was hurt and that was a big deal, but still.) But Detroit’s team play beat out the Hall-of-Fame filled roster of the Lakers.

And let’s not get into the thrashing the US has been getting in international basketball until this past Olympics. Mind you, the only reason these All-Stars killed was real team play versus a collection of stars. But I don’t think it’s a stretch to say all the USA Basketball teams that lost all those games and tournaments had better talent top to bottom than the national squads of the teams the USA lost to.

Though I think the base point of the article makes sense. Apple paring down the lineup is a good thing for them. Just a poor basketball analogy.