No Subject

>It's one thing to have Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson or Larry Bird seek
>an exception or a record-breaking contract.

>You root for them over the owners. Because of the joy they brought you in
>watching them play and the way they played the game, so hard, so determined.
>But to see Iverson or Sprewell or Rider get millions is depressing.

>THEY MISS GAMES, GET ARRESTED and their connection with the fans and the
>community is nonexistent.

>And they're African-American.

>So are Jordan and Johnson and Isiah Thomas.

>But it never seemed to matter.

>Perhaps the greatest achievement of NBA commissioner Stern was not selling the
>NBA, but selling a black sport to white America and white corporate America.

>The NBA's stars, virtually all black, became the most famous and most
>celebrated athletes in what the world generally regards as a racist country,
>the United States.

>RACE AND HATE CRIMES CONTINUE, yet the most sought-after stars as corporate
>endorsers have come from the NBA.

>But will that continue?

>Stern is well aware of this problem.

>Generally, it's not good business to demean your product during a labor
>negotiation. Stern's product is NBA players, so he has to be
>careful.

>But ever more so now because of who they are.

>THE PROBLEM THE NBA IS FACING as Jordan gets ready to fade away is not missing
>his presence as a player and winner, but his persona as a spokesman and
>personality.

>The NBA was considered a "black" game and not particularly popular in the
>1970s with the first major influx of African-American players.

>That changed and no sports league prospered more in such a short time.

>The big test lies ahead: Can the NBA remain colorblind instead of being
>painted with the brush of popular outrage?


Seems like Smith and Holley just stating the obvious....no?

Paul M.