Infamous Andrew Bogut Comments

[tornado]

Even though he said these things three weeks ago in an interview in Australia,
the US press has finally discovered that Andrew Bogut has a similar opinion of the NBA as most Americans do,
which is why the NBA ratings have been so abysmally low.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19548613/

[ph]

Last week, I was listening to 96.5 and the guest host was talking about that issue. It sounded like he had this discussion with many top NBA people (Stern) and player reps. His main point was "What sells rap and R&B albums is not what sells basketball."

[houstontxbrave]

Last week, I was listening to 96.5 and the guest host was talking about that issue. It sounded like he had this discussion with many top NBA people (Stern) and player reps. His main point was "What sells rap and R&B albums is not what sells basketball."

It might not sell basketball but it does sell merchandise, specifically Jerseys and shoes. Other the TV, advertising and luxury suites merchandise makes the world ie $$$ go around and around in professional sports.

[yourbradleybraves!]

I 100% agree with him, and I hate it that someone from Australia has to be the one to say it.

[romar]

I 100% agree with him, and I hate it that someone from Australia has to be the one to say it.

I agree in part that there are stars in the NBA right now with no redeeming qualities, but then there are the Anthony Parker & Hersey Hawkins types who directly contradict his point.

I don't like his generalization that "all" Americans are like that. The comment is too broad and sweeping. He's in a sport where most of the guys he's around came up in poverty and will probably return there after their little NBA jaunt is complete. In addition most basketball stars learn at a young age that they are special and until they are used up, are treated that way. Which explains their generally short lived arrogance. His opinion is also probably in part because he plays in front of the people with power, clout or stardom of some sort who can afford seats in the lower bowls or near the benches. Those are the people most guilty of conspicuous consumption.

Not everyone who has money in the US flaunts it in the manner being described in this article. I just hate to see this type of a sweeping editorial opinion in the foreign press when it is based on such a limited scope of the real US experience.

[yourbradleybraves!]

I completely agree with you that not all Americans are this way. Now that I think about it, very few of the people I personally know are that way.

However, I think he is right on the "money" that the American culture does push the idea that we should "get rich or die trying". Popular culture (NBA players are included) makes people think that there are way more rich people than there really are. He is involved with that part of the culture and sees it for what it is. Maybe he shouldn't have made such a sweeping generalization, but I think he is right that there is a popular attitude and agenda that money and power "should" be flaunted.

[Grassman]

I completely agree with you that not all Americans are this way. Now that I think about it, very few of the people I personally know are that way.

However, I think he is right on the "money" that the American culture does push the idea that we should "get rich or die trying". Popular culture (NBA players are included) makes people think that there are way more rich people than there really are. He is involved with that part of the culture and sees it for what it is. Maybe he shouldn't have made such a sweeping generalization, but I think he is right that there is a popular attitude and agenda that money and power "should" be flaunted.

The 6th of 7 steps in the decline of an empire are GREED and APATHY.
That is right where we are!

[ph]

Last week, I was listening to 96.5 and the guest host was talking about that issue. It sounded like he had this discussion with many top NBA people (Stern) and player reps. His main point was "What sells rap and R&B albums is not what sells basketball."

It might not sell basketball but it does sell merchandise, specifically Jerseys and shoes. Other the TV, advertising and luxury suites merchandise makes the world ie $$$ go around and around in professional sports.

So the NBA and it's players really have no problem being a less popular sport (than in the MJ/Magic/Bird era) because of the massive amount of current merchandising?

[numbr_9]

Grassman, what are the first 5? This is pretty OT so feel free to PM me ... i am interested to hear your thoughts.

[houstontxbrave]

Last week, I was listening to 96.5 and the guest host was talking about that issue. It sounded like he had this discussion with many top NBA people (Stern) and player reps. His main point was "What sells rap and R&B albums is not what sells basketball."

It might not sell basketball but it does sell merchandise, specifically Jerseys and shoes. Other the TV, advertising and luxury suites merchandise makes the world ie $$$ go around and around in professional sports.

So the NBA and it's players really have no problem being a less popular sport (than in the MJ/Magic/Bird era) because of the massive amount of current merchandising?

I would say as long as the cash is flowing in, then yes they really dont care about the masses having less interest in the sport.

Daddy might not like the new NBA but youngster probably does or atleast his buddies have the newest shoes or jersey so Daddy more then likely is willing to shell out the cash to make junior happy when he wants that new Kobe jersey.

Do you seriously think the Stern and the NBA really care if you or anyone not purchasing that merchandise, advertising or buying up those corporate seats/boxes likes their product? They would only if those things dry up.

[tornado]

Houston, there is concern.
More than half of the NBA teams fail to make a profit

http://wsjclassroomedition.com/archive/07mar/view_davidstern.htm

...only a handful regularly sell out, and the ratings have been so bad, that TV contracts and revenue will be down.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4975174

Truly there is a big concern and I am not the only one who says so, as I ran across literally hundreds of commentaries saying so and suggesting the NBA clean up its act and find a way to market better to middle America.

David Stern is already aware of all this and even somewhat agrees the problem is a perception of thuggish behavior.
Surely you recall how he tried to implement a dress code.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2195141

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2181671

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4975174

Some of the players riled against the dress code and thought it was a veiled attempt at racism.

http://www.sportsgoons.com/Archives/flagrant_fouls/basketball/Cuban_McHale_NBA_dresscode.htm

The athlete/fan BRAWLS, the type of Shawn Kemp/Iverson off the court issues, and the anti-family stuff like holding the All Star game in Vegas and the players & even the league associating intimately with the foulest Rappers.........all this is turning off the very people who made so many millionaires in the NBA.
They are killing the goose that laid the golden egg.

"NBA popularity has nosedived. This year's ratings setting lows in almost every category."

http://www.nfl.com/features/tmq/091305

http://dailypundit.com/?p=24512

America is giving up on the NBA, they are losing interest.

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_6117396

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/78079/cleaning_up_the_nba_image.html