The Perpetual NBA Thread

[aann]

d nasama yng 55 pts para $55,000?? sayang!...

medyo out of topic: Si Michael Schumacher $10M iddonate nya!

[ram]

jermaine o'neal had 55 points on 18/28 fg shooting. it's his career high and nba season best. tinambakan ang bucks 116-99.

spurs won over kobe's lakers 100-83.

[ram]

going retro pala cavaliers ngayon http://www.nba.com/history/uniforms_cavaliers.html

parang mas ok pa rin yung present uniform nila

[kimpOy]

Fans shunning Kobe Bryant's jersey
By RUKMINI CALLIMACHI, Associated Press Writer
January 6, 2005

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Kobe Bryant is no longer a fashion icon.

For the last month, Bryant's No. 8 Lakers jersey -- previously one of the best sellers in the world -- has fallen out of the top 50, according to point-of-sale data tabulated by a Florida market research firm.

Bryant's NBA jersey was still the 10th-highest selling jersey for the year, but he finished the month of December at No. 72 -- and in one week plunged to No. 90, a drastic slide for the player many once saw as the sport's next marketing golden boy.

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``I would never have thought it would have dropped off like this,'' said Neil Schwartz, director of marketing and business development for SportsScanINFO in West Palm Beach, which tracks weekly sales data from sporting goods retailers nationwide.

Bryant's marketability has likely been hurt by the flurry of bad press he's been receiving lately, analysts say. It began with his rape case and included his feud with former teammate Shaquille O'Neal, his spat with current teammate Karl Malone and a new book by former coach Phil Jackson that portrays Bryant as an aloof prima donna.

Before the season started, O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat and Jackson retired -- departures that many fans have blamed on Bryant.

``I was a big fan, but I just can't wear his jersey anymore,'' said Patrick Buan, 27, of Victorville, Calif., who last month put up for sale his four Bryant jerseys on eBay.

Bryant's agent, Rob Pelinka, did not return calls seeking comment. Nike Inc., Bryant's main sponsor, also declined to comment, saying only that Bryant remains under contract with the company.

Officials at AEG, which owns the Staples Center, said sales of Bryant's jersey had dipped noticeably at the store in the arena in recent weeks. They said the problem began early this summer as Bryant prepared to face criminal rape charges -- which were later dropped after his accuser said she did not want to participate in the trial.

Alan Fey, vice president of merchandising for AEG, said the manufacturer got skittish while the case was pending. ``He's such a significant player that (they) weren't willing to make all those goods and have him go to jail,'' he said.

But a spokesman for Reebok Inc., which makes Bryant's jerseys, said the company doesn't speculate on a player's marketability -- and doesn't have to. Greg Grauel, the company's senior vice president of apparel merchandising, said Reebok supplies inventory to retailers on demand.

Schwartz said Bryant's legal troubles could account for a drop in sales in the summer and possibly at the beginning of the season -- but not in December.

In June -- when the preparations for Bryant's rape trial were going full tilt -- Bryant jerseys hovered in the top five in terms of NBA jerseys sold, including time at the No. 1 spot, said Schwartz, whose company tallies numbers from a wide range of retailers.

Industry insiders say that while fans may have been willing to look the other way during the rape scandal, they seem far less willing to forgive him now for what they see as the breakup of a championship team.

``I think a lot of people were understanding of the rape trial, because there are a lot of cases of players being entrapped,'' said Bob Dorfman, executive vice president of Pickett Advertising in San Francisco. ``But it's all about winning -- that's what tickles the cash register. When he jeopardized that by single-handedly blowing apart the team, it was the final straw for a lot of people.''

The drop in sales is being felt in a wide variety of retail venues -- from small sporting good chains to the Lakers' memorabilia hub at Staples Center.

``Kobe's jersey was a core part of our business -- and now with the team going in the direction it has, we've ordered less and seen less of a demand,'' said Mike Batt, general manager of Fanzz in Salt Lake City, a sporting goods retail chain with 32 stores.

The drop in sales is bad news for Nike Inc., based in Beaverton, Ore., which sank a reported $40 million into a multiyear contract with Bryant. While Nike does not make his jersey -- Massachusetts-based Reebok, Inc. recently bought the licensing rights to all NBA player jerseys from Nike -- the decline is further evidence that they may not see a return on their investment.

While both McDonald's and Nutella have since dropped him, Nike has stood by Bryant, but has yet to use him in a single ad, even in ones touting Bryant's own shoe.

Nike spokesman Rodney Knox declined to say whether the manufacturer intends to use him in future campaigns.

``There's too much at stake for Nike to want to tarnish their brand image by using him,'' said Paul Swangard, managing director of the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center at the University of Oregon.

While the drop in sales is surprising, it's unlikely to make a dent in Bryant's personal fortune. In June, Forbes.Com ranked him as the 10th highest-paid celebrity of 2004, earning $26.1 million from June 2003 to June 2004 in salaries, bonuses, prize money, appearance fees -- as well as his Nike endorsement.

[ram]

kaya parang balewala rin yung lost sales sa jerseys. he's much too rich.

[ssaloon]

kahit retired na si jordan, malakas pa rin benta ng shoes and jerseys niya ;)

[kimpOy]

tsk tsk i cant believe this guy


Raptors criticize Carter after he acknowledges he didn't give it his all

January 7, 2005

TORONTO (AP) -- Vince Carter's former teammates were dismayed Friday after hearing him admit he didn't always try his hardest when he played for the Toronto Raptors.

In an interview broadcast Thursday on TNT, network analyst John Thompson asked Carter if he pushed himself as hard as he should have in Toronto.

``In years past, no,'' said Carter, acquired by the New Jersey Nets on Dec 17. ``I was fortunate to have the talent ... you get spoiled when you're able to do a lot of things. You see that you don't have to work at it.

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``Now, with the all the injuries, I have to work harder. I'm a little hungrier. Getting a fresh start has made me want to attack the basket.''

Many have questioned Carter's dedication, his commitment to offseason conditioning and his desire to improve, but some where were surprised to hear Carter acknowledge it.

``It's a reflection on him and his character,'' Raptors guard Rafer Alston said. ``Is he a guy that you can go to war with night in and night out? That's what a lot of people are going to be questioning.''

Alston also suggested that Carter cost the Raptors games with his lack of effort.

``It hurts,'' Alston said. ``I don't know if a player who is considered an All-Star and has so many fan votes going into All-Star week wants to have that on his rap sheet.''

Carter has played well since being traded for Alonzo Mourning, Aaron Williams, Eric Williams and two first-round draft picks. He is averaging 22.5 points in 40.3 minutes with New Jersey, compared to 15.9 points in 30.4 minutes with the Raptors.

Toronto guard Morris Peterson was shocked when he watched the interview on television.

``It caught me off guard, being a professional player that's something I always pride myself on,'' Peterson said. ``I can sleep better at night knowing I give it everything I can.''

``You could tell he wasn't playing his best,'' Peterson said.

Toronto coach Sam Mitchell didn't want to talk about Carter.

``That's between Vince and his conscience,'' Mitchell said.

[ssaloon]

tsk tsk tsk....

[ILuvDetailing]

Even tho he doesn't say it you can see it in his body language that he wasn't playing hard. Will all the athletic ability and jumping ability in the world why would he settle for jumpers when he can drive in the lane. Thats what separates MJ from his peers, is his relentless attack and his competetive juice, you know what you get from MJ every night. Is surprised that Vince Carter admitted this, its the 1st time I ever heard a player admitted he wasn't playing hard. sheesshhh.... what a waste

[ILuvDetailing]

surprise surprise!!! but if the Lakers start winning again look for Kobe's jersey sales to pick up again... winning cures everything.

[pajerokid]

talk about professionalism...

[aann]

yikes...IMO, he shouldn't have admitted that even if it was the truth. What he said would certainly be talked about and would hurt his image. He should have just kept his mouth shut and leave the people to observe on their own.

[voltes_V]

what was he thinking!!!

[theveed]

What's weird din sa mga "pros" na iba like Spree, VC, even Kidd... Nakakalimutan nila na empleyado lang sila.

[theveed]

Ganda ng Rockets - LA match hehe, puros highlights

[baiskee]

What's weird din sa mga "pros" na iba like Spree, VC, even Kidd... Nakakalimutan nila na empleyado lang sila.

o nga....naturingan professional basketball players...aside from that, sila ang tumatayong role models sa kabataan.

[pajerokid]

Not only that, considering the sheer amount of money theyre getting, they should just shut up and work their *sses off, they big cry babies they are.

[ram]

lots of trade rumors going on...

Isiah trying to pry Wally from Wolves

MIAMI - Isiah Thomas has never been one to wait for trades to fall into his lap. And with a three-game losing streak and a small cloud of turmoil hovering over his team, the Knicks' president is prepared to make a deal if only he can find the right partner.
The Knicks' recent slide is nothing compared to what is going on with the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team that came into the year regarded as a title contender. The Knicks and Timberwolves have had recent talks, and the Knicks would still be willing to trade Kurt Thomas for Wally Szczerbiak. Minnesota remains reluctant to pull the trigger, probably because Szczerbiak has been the team's second-best player behind Kevin Garnett. The teams have been trying to get Toronto involved as a third club in a deal for Szczerbiak.

If the Knicks acquired Szczerbiak, they likely would have to make another deal for a power forward, unless they are confident that Michael Sweetney and Vin Baker are suitable replacements for Kurt Thomas, who is averaging 11.3 points and 10 rebounds and is the team's best low-post defender.

Thomas and Stephon Marbury would appear to be the perfect fit, since they both excel at playing the pick-and-roll. But even though the two-man game seems to be the Knicks' best weapon, they don't seem to play it enough. The Knicks called Thomas' number often against Miami Wednesday night and he responded by knocking down 11 of 15 shots and scoring 23 points.

After the Knicks defeated New Orleans last month, Hornets power forward P.J. Brown remarked that Thomas and Nazr Mohammed "don't get enough touches."

A team with Marbury, Jamal Crawford, Allan Houston and Szczerbiak would mean that the big men might only see the ball in warmups. Kurt Thomas has value but the Knicks have to be concerned about sacrificing offense for defense.

Another name that has surfaced is Toronto's Donyell Marshall, who can play either forward position. To get Marshall, the Knicks may have to be willing to take back Jalen Rose's contract. Thomas was the only general manager ready to accept Rose and all his baggage if it meant getting Vince Carter, who ended up with the Nets. It's unclear if Thomas would agree to a similar deal just to acquire Marshall.

People close to Isiah Thomas say he has no illusions that his team is championship material quite yet and that his big move will come in the summer, when Tim Thomas and Penny Hardaway will be entering the final year of their respective contracts. Those contracts will be appealing to teams looking to trade a player with a long-term deal.

Frank Isola. NY Daily News.

[empy]

luko-luko pala itong mag-pinsan na to...both VC and TMac both came out and said that they didn't make their best effort because they were unhappy with their situations in toronto and orlando.

re: NY and wally - why is isiah trying to build a team of jump shooters? is he more concerned with winning the 3-pt shootout than making the playoffs?

[baiskee]

re: NY and wally - why is isiah trying to build a team of jump shooters? is he more concerned with winning the 3-pt shootout than making the playoffs?

preparing for the upcoming all-star maybe, 3-pt shootout category.