i know youre probably all sick of the kobe bryant case and this post may well cause you to destroy some formerly valuable object or even commit suicide. but what was he thinking?!! his wife is hot!
but what im really wanting to discuss is mark cuban's comments on the whole thing...basically that the publicity is good for the nba as a business. everybody in the press has taken these comments way out of context like cuban was glad that this happened. but that doesnt seem to be the case to me. from what ive heard him say and from what he seemed to indicate a few nights ago on sportscenter while talking to an absolutely irate dan patrick, is that he was stating it as a matter of fact (in his opinion) not that it was a good thing in itself. the link above is the only article ive seen that really has any context for his statements. he clarifies himself pretty well afterward.
i tend to agree with him...i think this incident will draw many more viewers at least to television that will want to see kobe play, if they hadnt before. it may turn some away, but as cuban notes, who didnt want to see mike tyson fight after he got out of prison? he was the greatest boxer of the last 20 years and even though he had lost a great deal of his ability as a boxer by the time he had gotten out of jail, his fights to this day remain the biggest boxing draws, even if theyre not title fights. in like manner, kobe is the best the nba has right now, and i predict the masses will react similarly by tuning into the nba more often. and tuning in is the precursor to buying nba merchandise or attending games, etc. the bottom line is that while this event is not good for the nba's image or kobe's image or anyone on a personal or moral evel, it will economically benefit the nba because it will increase revenue. and finally, lest anyone think i am endorsing (alleged) rape as a way to bring in business...i certainly dont think that. nor am i happy that they occurred. rape, or at the very best, adultery is certainly never good or welcome for a business' or personal image, but that doesnt mean its wrong to say that it brings in cash. isnt that what the movie 'chicago' is all about?
I happened to cath Cuban on the radio just hours after the comments came out. The media has certainly made a very big deal off of a quote out of context. He understood what he meant even without the context, but I felt he did a great job of making himself clear. It's a shame that the media is no longer interested in listening.
Posted by: the booth at August 8, 2003 2:48 PM