Comments on: Asking For Too Much? http://rockintherim.com/asking-for-too-much/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:13:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Sonny Gill http://rockintherim.com/asking-for-too-much/comment-page-1/#comment-29 Sonny Gill Sat, 30 May 2009 14:37:34 +0000 http://rockintherim.com/?p=46#comment-29 @<a href="#comment-27" rel="nofollow">Dave</a>: Great perspective here, Dave. They are most definitely great business men and perhaps (I'm sure) they know what's revolving around their names and teams and the pressure that's been built up. And they love it. They realize what it would do for not only the NBA but their sponsors and future deals they'll be able to get. To that thought, maybe we shouldn't feel as bad? Thanks for the great comment - definitely has me thinking! @Dave: Great perspective here, Dave. They are most definitely great business men and perhaps (I’m sure) they know what’s revolving around their names and teams and the pressure that’s been built up. And they love it. They realize what it would do for not only the NBA but their sponsors and future deals they’ll be able to get. To that thought, maybe we shouldn’t feel as bad?

Thanks for the great comment – definitely has me thinking!

]]> By: Dave Folkens http://rockintherim.com/asking-for-too-much/comment-page-1/#comment-27 Dave Folkens Fri, 29 May 2009 17:30:39 +0000 http://rockintherim.com/?p=46#comment-27 Hey Sonny, Glad you decided to dive into the world of the NBA since you enjoy it so much. I'm going to in large part agree with some of the earlier comments in that the NBA clearly would love to have it's two brightest stars on the grand stage (not to mention the L.A. market). However, I don't think we're asking too much of them, as they wanted this and it's no accident that some of the best players are also the smartest. I think part of the reason these two are such focal points is that they both "get it" when it comes to advertising/marketing/branding. They both began very young and have all the talent in the world but what separates these two off the court is that both have embraced the sales side of their careers. Kobe has evolved over time from boy-wonder, to fallen hero, and now back again with a seemingly more mature approach. Many people still don't like him but he's clearly moved back into the top tier of endorsements and his brand following the Olympics and the last couple Lakers runs. Lebron is even better. His charisma is stronger than Kobe's with less of a love/hate factor. (Caution: I am going to mention his Airness here- don't roll eyes yet) Lebron has modeled a great deal of his life after MJ - I truly believe he's got a great sense of what MJ did to build the largest sports empire ever and he's an extremely smart marketer. He has avoided huge missteps and is the current king of the NBA, despite being in a smaller market. These guys are great and they can handle the expectations both on and off the court. We'll see if either of them actually have the chance to be standing on the court when the dust settles this year. Hey Sonny,
Glad you decided to dive into the world of the NBA since you enjoy it so much. I’m going to in large part agree with some of the earlier comments in that the NBA clearly would love to have it’s two brightest stars on the grand stage (not to mention the L.A. market). However, I don’t think we’re asking too much of them, as they wanted this and it’s no accident that some of the best players are also the smartest.

I think part of the reason these two are such focal points is that they both “get it” when it comes to advertising/marketing/branding. They both began very young and have all the talent in the world but what separates these two off the court is that both have embraced the sales side of their careers.

Kobe has evolved over time from boy-wonder, to fallen hero, and now back again with a seemingly more mature approach. Many people still don’t like him but he’s clearly moved back into the top tier of endorsements and his brand following the Olympics and the last couple Lakers runs.

Lebron is even better. His charisma is stronger than Kobe’s with less of a love/hate factor. (Caution: I am going to mention his Airness here- don’t roll eyes yet) Lebron has modeled a great deal of his life after MJ – I truly believe he’s got a great sense of what MJ did to build the largest sports empire ever and he’s an extremely smart marketer. He has avoided huge missteps and is the current king of the NBA, despite being in a smaller market.

These guys are great and they can handle the expectations both on and off the court. We’ll see if either of them actually have the chance to be standing on the court when the dust settles this year.

]]> By: Sonny Gill http://rockintherim.com/asking-for-too-much/comment-page-1/#comment-24 Sonny Gill Fri, 29 May 2009 13:37:32 +0000 http://rockintherim.com/?p=46#comment-24 @<a href="#comment-21" rel="nofollow">AJ</a>: Great to see a longtime NBA fan weigh in on this. You're totally spot on with your assessment on how the media is handling these two superstars' names. It is something that us as sports fans will have to deal with, whether basketball or not, as you can't stop the power of big name media, especially when it comes to ratings and revenue. Thanks for kickin' off the new blog with the first comment! @<a href="#comment-22" rel="nofollow">Kasey</a>: @<a href="#comment-23" rel="nofollow">David</a>: You guys make a great point. I think in recent years, the names of Kobe and Lebron plus other young studs (Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Dwayne Wade) have certainly helped bring the NBA closer to its 'glory years' of Jordan, Magic, and Bird. But you're absolutely right, the NBA would hurt a lot if both of them did not make it to the Finals. Not from the revenue standpoint that AJ notes, but the possible millions of eyeballs they'd lose out on. Thanks for the great comments you two! @AJ: Great to see a longtime NBA fan weigh in on this. You’re totally spot on with your assessment on how the media is handling these two superstars’ names. It is something that us as sports fans will have to deal with, whether basketball or not, as you can’t stop the power of big name media, especially when it comes to ratings and revenue. Thanks for kickin’ off the new blog with the first comment!

@Kasey: @David: You guys make a great point. I think in recent years, the names of Kobe and Lebron plus other young studs (Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Dwayne Wade) have certainly helped bring the NBA closer to its ‘glory years’ of Jordan, Magic, and Bird. But you’re absolutely right, the NBA would hurt a lot if both of them did not make it to the Finals. Not from the revenue standpoint that AJ notes, but the possible millions of eyeballs they’d lose out on. Thanks for the great comments you two!

]]> By: David Spinks http://rockintherim.com/asking-for-too-much/comment-page-1/#comment-23 David Spinks Fri, 29 May 2009 04:11:20 +0000 http://rockintherim.com/?p=46#comment-23 Sonny, Really liking the new blog. Nothing better than blogging about something you love and I know how much you love your basketball! Looking forward to reading more. In response to your post...is it fair for us to have such expectations? Probably not... Is it inevitable? Maybe. The media absolutely plays a major role in directing the fans' focus to Kobe and Lebron. It's not surprising or unexpected though. When it comes down to it they're looking for players to get fans excited/interested. When they find players like that, they focus on them. Not that far off from how many other businesses function. Look at golf with Tiger...not sure what percentage of viewers watch golf solely to watch Tiger, but I'm willing to bet its really high. Why wouldn't the media focus on him? Well because once he's gone, so are all the eggs that they put in his basket...but that's just not the way the media thinks. Dave Sonny,

Really liking the new blog. Nothing better than blogging about something you love and I know how much you love your basketball! Looking forward to reading more.

In response to your post…is it fair for us to have such expectations? Probably not… Is it inevitable? Maybe. The media absolutely plays a major role in directing the fans’ focus to Kobe and Lebron. It’s not surprising or unexpected though. When it comes down to it they’re looking for players to get fans excited/interested. When they find players like that, they focus on them. Not that far off from how many other businesses function.

Look at golf with Tiger…not sure what percentage of viewers watch golf solely to watch Tiger, but I’m willing to bet its really high. Why wouldn’t the media focus on him? Well because once he’s gone, so are all the eggs that they put in his basket…but that’s just not the way the media thinks.

Dave

]]> By: Kasey Skala http://rockintherim.com/asking-for-too-much/comment-page-1/#comment-22 Kasey Skala Fri, 29 May 2009 03:13:37 +0000 http://rockintherim.com/?p=46#comment-22 I almost think it's too much pressure on the NBA, rather than Kobe & Lebron. The two will be studs whether they make the Finals or not, but what happens to the NBA? Yes, Lebron needs that ring if he wants to surpass MJ as the G.O.A.T. But for the NBA to get the interest they had back in the days of Magic, MJ & Bird, they almost need the dream match-up. The loyal fans will still watch the Finals no matter who's in it, but will the casual fan? The NBA wants to be global more than anything, this will certainly help. I almost think it’s too much pressure on the NBA, rather than Kobe & Lebron. The two will be studs whether they make the Finals or not, but what happens to the NBA? Yes, Lebron needs that ring if he wants to surpass MJ as the G.O.A.T. But for the NBA to get the interest they had back in the days of Magic, MJ & Bird, they almost need the dream match-up. The loyal fans will still watch the Finals no matter who’s in it, but will the casual fan? The NBA wants to be global more than anything, this will certainly help.

]]> By: AJ in Nashville http://rockintherim.com/asking-for-too-much/comment-page-1/#comment-21 AJ in Nashville Fri, 29 May 2009 03:12:54 +0000 http://rockintherim.com/?p=46#comment-21 Well, first off, allow me to say that I am impressed with you, Mister Sonny Gill! Shame on me for not knowing it already, but I find it extremely refreshing to find a SocMed maven who actually cares about something so crass as professional sports -- or at least who is unafraid to devote an entire blog to it! :} As for me, I grew up with the L.A. Lakers. I have been an avid fan since the late 60s-early 70s teams of Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and my all-time favorite, Jerry West. Like most Lakers fans, I love Kobe. I also love Lebron, for the obvious talent and incredible character he exudes, belying his age. If these two superstars meet in The Finals, nothing could make me happier. it will be a war between two incredible -- and incredibly equal -- basketball talents. However I have to agree with your assertion that the hype preceding this dream match-up nearly cancels out its significance from a sports perspective, in its borderline immoral-and-obvious ulterior motive for profit by the networks and advertisers hoping to cash in on the TeeVee ratings and potential sales derived from its promotion. You won't find a bigger fan over the years of ESPN than I've been, but it has pained me to watch them become more and more involved in this type of sleazy behavior. To me they're just as culpable in establishing and exacerbating this now-flourishing culture of sports over-hype with their incessant and nauseating fanning-of-the-flames in the Yankees-Red Sox MLB rivalry. If there's any kind of sports over-hype going on in the media, you can bet that if the 4-Letter didn't start it, they're at least an active participant. What it boils down to, I believe, is profit -- not fandom. It's companies looking for ratings, buzz, sales. Anyone who believes otherwise has their head buried in the sand, IMO. So are we doing Kobe and LeBron a disservice with all the hype right now? Yeah, I think so. Are we dissing Denver and Orlando in this deal as well? Most definitely. Is this type of thing going to end anytime soon? Only if the ginormous machine that is sports marketing in America grinds to a screeching halt, which, in other words, ain't gonna happen anytime soon. That's one bell you can't un-ring. Well, first off, allow me to say that I am impressed with you, Mister Sonny Gill! Shame on me for not knowing it already, but I find it extremely refreshing to find a SocMed maven who actually cares about something so crass as professional sports — or at least who is unafraid to devote an entire blog to it! :}

As for me, I grew up with the L.A. Lakers. I have been an avid fan since the late 60s-early 70s teams of Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and my all-time favorite, Jerry West.

Like most Lakers fans, I love Kobe. I also love Lebron, for the obvious talent and incredible character he exudes, belying his age. If these two superstars meet in The Finals, nothing could make me happier. it will be a war between two incredible — and incredibly equal — basketball talents.

However I have to agree with your assertion that the hype preceding this dream match-up nearly cancels out its significance from a sports perspective, in its borderline immoral-and-obvious ulterior motive for profit by the networks and advertisers hoping to cash in on the TeeVee ratings and potential sales derived from its promotion.

You won’t find a bigger fan over the years of ESPN than I’ve been, but it has pained me to watch them become more and more involved in this type of sleazy behavior. To me they’re just as culpable in establishing and exacerbating this now-flourishing culture of sports over-hype with their incessant and nauseating fanning-of-the-flames in the Yankees-Red Sox MLB rivalry. If there’s any kind of sports over-hype going on in the media, you can bet that if the 4-Letter didn’t start it, they’re at least an active participant.

What it boils down to, I believe, is profit — not fandom. It’s companies looking for ratings, buzz, sales. Anyone who believes otherwise has their head buried in the sand, IMO.

So are we doing Kobe and LeBron a disservice with all the hype right now? Yeah, I think so. Are we dissing Denver and Orlando in this deal as well? Most definitely. Is this type of thing going to end anytime soon? Only if the ginormous machine that is sports marketing in America grinds to a screeching halt, which, in other words, ain’t gonna happen anytime soon.

That’s one bell you can’t un-ring.

]]>