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One of my first football memories as a child was my excitement and anticipation to watch Joe Namath quarterback the LA Rams on MNF during his final season. This was my chance to watch a living legend perform and I wasn't going to miss it. I wish I had. Joe was a broken...he was a shell ....he should never have been on that field. Four INT's.....and a horrible memory that should have never been allowed. The lure of celebrity.......a legend exploited to sell tickets and maximize viewership. A disgusting display that too often drives professional sports.
Fast forward to the City of Angels, 2015 and read this article...
Scott: Benching Kobe this season 'not an option'
No doubt the NBA is a different beast than the NFL, especially with free agency rules that give NBA stars incredible power. These days, the biggest names use their leverage to build their own rosters and determine coaching staffs. For owners, the upside of surrendering power can be fruitful, leading to a string of championships (any Lebron team).... but the downside can be crippling (hello Carmello's Knicks).
And then there is the Lakers. Magic Johnson was the uber-powerbroker of his era and Kobe Bryant eventually assumed that title. Unfortunately for Laker fans, current management refuses/is unable to extract itself from the shared power relationship it has with Bryant.....and it has nothing to do with the product on the court. Three years ago, the Lakers signed on for the most lucrative cable package in NBA history ($3 billion/20 yrs) and they feel obligated to continue to roll out their one decaying star regardless of the standings. Joe Willie Namath all over again. And Bryant is no fool. ($25 mill this year) There is a tidal wave of money to be had in L.A. and he correctly understands not only his marketing value for this team but his role in helping create that pot of gold. The 2015 L.A. Lakers is a TV show.....nothing more.
On to the NFL with completely different structures of roster, TV money, etc.......and using the NE Patriots as the antithesis of the Laker model.....a selfless star QB sacrificing $$$ for the betterment of his team.....a franchise that shows little sentiment, unafraid to eject pieces regardless of fan attachment. Winning trumps all else. Even the Broncos pushed aside their celebrity piece when the product faltered.
The San Antonio Spurs most resemble the NE Patriots. Their stars have sacrificed $$$ in the name of wins.
Not in L.A. ........money, power, money, celebrity, money................................................and 48 minutes of the corpse of Kobe Bryant. I hate the NBA...where tanking is a privilege not to be taken lightly....at least in Philly.
There is so much to love about the Patriot organization....the anti-Lakers.
Fast forward to the City of Angels, 2015 and read this article...
Scott: Benching Kobe this season 'not an option'
No doubt the NBA is a different beast than the NFL, especially with free agency rules that give NBA stars incredible power. These days, the biggest names use their leverage to build their own rosters and determine coaching staffs. For owners, the upside of surrendering power can be fruitful, leading to a string of championships (any Lebron team).... but the downside can be crippling (hello Carmello's Knicks).
And then there is the Lakers. Magic Johnson was the uber-powerbroker of his era and Kobe Bryant eventually assumed that title. Unfortunately for Laker fans, current management refuses/is unable to extract itself from the shared power relationship it has with Bryant.....and it has nothing to do with the product on the court. Three years ago, the Lakers signed on for the most lucrative cable package in NBA history ($3 billion/20 yrs) and they feel obligated to continue to roll out their one decaying star regardless of the standings. Joe Willie Namath all over again. And Bryant is no fool. ($25 mill this year) There is a tidal wave of money to be had in L.A. and he correctly understands not only his marketing value for this team but his role in helping create that pot of gold. The 2015 L.A. Lakers is a TV show.....nothing more.
On to the NFL with completely different structures of roster, TV money, etc.......and using the NE Patriots as the antithesis of the Laker model.....a selfless star QB sacrificing $$$ for the betterment of his team.....a franchise that shows little sentiment, unafraid to eject pieces regardless of fan attachment. Winning trumps all else. Even the Broncos pushed aside their celebrity piece when the product faltered.
The San Antonio Spurs most resemble the NE Patriots. Their stars have sacrificed $$$ in the name of wins.
Not in L.A. ........money, power, money, celebrity, money................................................and 48 minutes of the corpse of Kobe Bryant. I hate the NBA...where tanking is a privilege not to be taken lightly....at least in Philly.
There is so much to love about the Patriot organization....the anti-Lakers.
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