As the "first NBA All-Star Game of the 2000s
approaches" Sunday in Oakland, the "question is whether the
NBA can again attain such heights" as it did during the
early '90s or "whether that original Dream Team represented
the apex," according to Jesse Barkin of the SAN JOSE MERCURY
NEWS, who writes that some believe the NBA "has devolved
into a senses-overloading circus of style over substance."
While the league "is populated with young players, so much
more so than in previous years," Barkin wonders "who among
today's NBA young stars can even come close" to reaching the
status of a Michael Jordan. Barkin: "It might never
happen." NBA Commissioner David Stern: "You're going to see
the spotlight more spread out on more players because
Michael was so luminescent that he not only led but drew a
disproportionate amount of attention. Now we're going to
see a number of people sharing that spotlight." Barkin:
"And so the NBA's promotional machine has some questions to
ponder over the next few years. Do they start cranking out
new legends, or wait for them to grow organically? Can they
afford to wait?" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 2/11).
THE PLAYERS: NBC Sports Senior VP/Sports Programming
Jon Miller, on the network focusing on Raptors F Vince
Carter this weekend: "He is the most electric, dynamic young
star out there. ... It's important for NBC to expose him to
as many fans as we can" (TORONTO SUN, 2/11). In
Philadelphia, Phil Jasner profiles Iverson under the header,
"Growing Hip To His Hop: Iverson Still Thinks Image Hurts
Him, Yet Acceptance Of Him Clearly On Rise" (PHILA. DAILY
NEWS, 2/11). In N.Y., Selena Roberts calls Knicks G Allan
Houston the "uncelebrated Nike endorser." Houston: "I
don't -- and I'm glad I'm not the type to do it -- but I
don't look at a Nike commercial to decide where I rank among
players in the league. I think when Jordan and his people
decide who to highlight, I think it has to do with the
charisma you bring to the game. It's not that I don't have
it, but Jordan and his staff are looking at that, looking
for something exciting, I guess" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/11).
WILL NBA SET NEW EXAMPLE? In San Jose, Jody Meacham
reported on the league's strategy with NBA.com TV and wrote
that the All-Star Weekend and its festivities "will be the
subject of 90 consecutive hours of coverage" on NBA.com TV.
Univ. of OR's Warsaw Sports Marketing Center Dir Rick
Burton: "Eventually the NBA may not need the networks. Now
the networks take on the risk of selling enough advertising
to cover their rights fees and costs. The NBA (through its
expanding Internet operation) may be signaling they may be
able to do that themselves." But Meachem writes that Stern
and NBA execs "aren't willing to go that far yet." Stern:
"For now we'll remain on (network) TV" (MERCURY NEWS, 2/10).
TAKE A SEAT: In S.F., Michelle Smith wrote on longtime
Warriors season-ticket holder Albert Sun, who normally sits
in the seventh row at center court during Warriors games,
but is in the upper bowl for the All-Star Weekend. Sun
complained to the team, but the Warriors said that they have
"nothing to do with the seating arrangements for the game."
Warriors Dir of Ticket Sales Darryl Washington: "We have
fielded many complaints and we understand, but it's not the
Warriors doing. We only get what [the league gives] us."
NBA Senior VP/Communications Brian McIntyre: "We take 9,000-
10,000 tickets for the teams, players, media, sponsors and
business partners. We need those. ... This is our biggest
event of the year. We need to do business with the people
who do business with us" (S.F. EXAMINER, 2/10).
