Category Archives: NBA

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The 2010-2011 NBA season has official come to an end, and the Dallas Mavericks were crowned the NBA Champions. As I watched the playoffs finally come to an end, I couldn’t help but notice that Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, had finally silenced his critics, and LeBron James “AKA King James” fueled his.

Mark Cuban, the self-made billionaire, purchased that Dallas Mavericks in 2000 for roughly $285 million, and 11 years later the team is valued at $438 million (possibly millions more after finally winning its first NBA title). To say that Cuban is known as being an outspoken owner is an understatement.  During his NBA tenure he has been fined over $1.7 million, and during the 2006 NBA Finals versus the Miami Heat he was fined $250,000 for what the league called “several acts of misconduct.”

What was the misconduct? Cuban berated officials, stared down NBA Commissioner David Stern, uttered profanities in response to questions from reporters, and criticized the NBA’s playoff referee selection process. Yikes! Continue reading →

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Last week I opened my twitter account and I was surprised to find unusual tweets from the account @kaj33, which belongs to NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabar.

“@kaj33: Rumor has it that I will be getting a statute. A caveat for all of my fans-don’t hold your breath. Lakers don’t care about me. #KAJ33”

What! The Lakers don’t care about Kareem!?! Immediately I thought this can’t be true – surely someone has hacked his account. Then a couple more tweets came through.

“@kaj33: No one hacked my account…these are my feeling and they should be known. #KAJ33”

“@kaj33: It is not just about getting a statute because I’m over it – it’s about RESPECT! Lakers have given me the absolute minimum of respect. #KAJ33”

Wow! At this point I was speechless. What is going on in LA? Who in their right mind would disrespect Kareem?

He’s the all-time NBA leading scorer and he’s won a record six regular season MVP awards. Don’t forget the nine championship teams he’s been on during his illustrious career – three at UCLA, one with the Milwaukee Bucks, and six with the Los Angeles Lakers. And you can’t forget about his trademark move – The Sky Hook.

The next tweet gave me the answer I was looking for. Continue reading →

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Last week, I wrote a blog post congratulating Chicago Bulls guard, Derrick Rose, on becoming the youngest player in NBA history to win the coveted Most Valuable Player Award. Rose entered training camp declaring that he wanted to be the MVP. He said, “I wasn’t trying to be cocky. I knew that I put a lot of hard work in over the summer in the offseason, and I just wanted to push myself.”  Rose indeed pushed himself and his teammates to the NBA’s best record of 62-20. And if you review the breakdown of the MVP  results, it’s clear that the voters felt the same way.

 What’s next for Rose?

Rose led the Bulls to the Eastern Conference Finals? Will they make it to the NBA Finals? Either way you look at it, it’s safe to say there’s a lot basketball ahead of him. And he has the potential to make what I call “MVP Money.”  

What is MVP Money?

Just take a look at the salaries of the last several winners of the NBA’s MVP Award.

The highest paid MVP on this list is Kobe Bryant; he earned roughly $25 million this season. In 2010, he signed a maximum value three-year contract extension that will increase his salary to $27.8 million and $30.4 million in 2012-13 and 2013-14. The only other player to earn $30 million in a single season is Michael Jordan. In 1997, Jordan made $30.1 million. In 1998, he earned $33.1 million. Jordan was also a five-time winner of the MVP crown and he led the Bulls six NBA Championships.

Rose has publicly shied away from comparisons to Jordan. He’s said, “I am far away from him. If anything, it would be great to be close to him. This is a different team, a different era.”

Rose is correct. It is a different team and a different era. One thing you can’t deny is that Rose is over performing his $5.5 million original contract. Currently, he’s the third highest player on the team behind Carlos Boozer – $14.4 million and Luol Deng – $11.3 million. Last October, Joakim Noah signed a $60 million five-year contract extension, which will drop Rose to fourth on the Bulls salary depth chart. Given the groundwork that Jordan laid, there’s no question that Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf will award stellar performance if Rose continues to perform as the team’s franchise player.

How does Rose measure up to the other MVPs?

Rose made more in his 2010-11 NBA salary than former MVP’s Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson combined. However, these salary figures are very misleading. It’s estimated that Iverson earned $200 million during his 13-year NBA career, which includes salary, bonuses and $50 million plus endorsement deal with Reebok.  Additionally, while Shaq is currently earning the veterans minimum, his seven-year $41 million rookie contract was the largest at its time. Currently, his net worth is over $130 million, which includes real estate investments, television productions, and endorsements of 24-Hour Fitness, Icy Hot, and VitaminWater.

Last but not least, LeBron James. Rose ended James’ two season MVP reign. We all know that James left the Cleveland Cavs after seven seasons to join the Miami Heat. Did this move impact his 2010-11 NBA salary? Yes, James reportedly walked away from the opportunity to be the third player to earn a $30 million single season salary. Did the move hurt his overall net worth? It’s still too early to answer that question. However, there’s no question that his estimated $90 million net worth ranks him as one of the wealthiest athletes in the NBA - if not the world.

This is all a little foreshadowing of what might be in store for Rose. Of course, we still have to see how the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations turn out this summer. However, if Rose’s career continues to flourish, I think he’s destined to make “MVP Money.”

Good Night Sports Fans,

Alana

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Today the NBA announced that Derrick Rose from the Chicago Bulls is the 2010 – 2011 Most Valuable Player. Rose carried his team into the NBA playoffs with a 62-20 overall record, and he averaged 25 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4 assists per game. As the MVP he joins the exclusive club that includes Russell, Magic, Bird, Kareem, Chamberlain, and Jordan.  Rose’s stats are impressive and what’s even more impressive is at 22 years old he’s the youngest MVP in league history. Ok, stop and think…what were you doing at 22?

I’m a big fan of Derrick Rose. I’ve never met him, but my father has. When we were in Chicago during the 2010 Christmas holiday my father ran into Rose while he was finishing his last minute shopping. My father kindly introduced himself and Rose did the same. This polite exchange left a lasting impression on my dad and clearly showed that he’s a pro on and off the court.

Want another example of Rose’s maturity?

Just listen to his MVP acceptance speech. Listen to the way he thanks the Bulls organization, former players, his teammates, the fans, and his mom. Rose said, ”she is my heart” and “the reason why I play the way that I play.” He went on to say, “days that I don’t feel like going to practice or [I'm] having a hard time, I think about her…you keep me going everyday and I love you…I appreciate you being in my life.”

Congratulations Brenda Rose…YOU are the MVP!

Good Night Sports Fans,

Alana

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There are roughly two and half weeks left in the NBA regular season, and coaches around the league are beginning to prepare their teams for the playoffs.  Every coach from, Doc Rivers to Phil Jackson, will tell you that at this point in the season their game plans are more than just breaking down  film and diagramming X’s and O’s; they are also mentally preparing their teams to win an NBA Championship by delivering motivating pregame and postgame speeches.

This coaching strategy is also called Purposeful Storytelling; and according to Peter Guber in his new bestseller, Tell to Win: Connect, Persuade, and Triumph with the Hidden Power of Story, it is game-changing.

Before I continue sharing more insights from this book, I realize that many of you might be wondering “Who is Peter Guber?”

While you immediately don’t recognize his name, you certainly know his business accomplishments.  Guber is the Chairman and CEO of Mandalay Entertainment, and he has personally produced or executive produced box office hits including The Color Purple, Flashdance, Gorillas in the Mist, and Rain Man – earning over $3 billion worldwide. He is also an owner and co-executive Chairman of the NBA franchise Golden State Warriors that was recently purchased for a record $450 million. There’s no question that Guber’s career achievements undoubtedly demonstrate the power that storytelling has to offer.

Here are few lessons that I learned from Tell to Win…

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I just started reading Peter Guber’s new book Tell To Win. Mr. Guber is not only a well known movie executive, but he’s also a majority owner of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.

What is Tell To Win? It’s not just about dollars and cents, but its getting people to understand your passion and buying into your vision.

Here’s a conversation between Magic Johnson and Peter Guber where they discuss the power of Telling To Win!

Good Night Sports Fans,

Alana

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Are fans still debating sports with their co-workers? Of course they are and that will never change. However, with the social media explosion you don’t have to wait days to express your views and opinions about sports – it is now done in an instant.

Lately, I’ve noticed that when it comes to social media the NBA is everywhere. Have you noticed it too? I thought that maybe it seemed that way to me because I follow the NBA slightly more than I do the NFL, MLB, and NHL – that’s not the case at all.

I listened to a recent interview with NBA Commissioner David Stern where he opened up about the NBA’s social media presence and the impact of the “24 hour open mic” on the league. ESPN Analyst, Bill Simmons, asked Commissioner Stern, “Has social media alone made your job more challenging than it has ever been?”

 I expected to hear Commissioner Stern describe the ills and problems associated with social media. Players tweeting when they should be focusing on their games. Fans and bloggers complaining about the league.  Instead, he responded that social media has made his job more interesting and its influence on the NBA has been overwhelming positive.

 Of course in typical Commissioner Stern fashion he used facts to back up his statement. He said, “If you went and did the numbers you will see that the NBA and its players on Facebook have like 52 million likes. And on Twitter the NBA and its players probably have 30 million followers. And if you go to YouTube we probably have 400 million views.”

 What does Commissioner Stern call this phenomenon? The Digital Water Cooler.

Continue reading →

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In 1974, William “Bill” Davidson, Mr. D. as he was affectionately known, entered the professional sports scene when he bought the Detroit Pistons. His $8 million investment eventually turned into a sports and entertainment empire. At its height the franchise was valued at $479 million. More recently, Forbes calculated its value at $360 million.

Mr. D died in 2009 and his passing felt like the death of a longtime friend or relative. While I never personally knew Mr. D, I get chocked up when I think about him and how much he meant to his players, Pistons fans, and professional sports. He was the face of the team and you can’t think about DEE-TROOIT BASKETBALL without thinking of him.

His widow, Karen Davidson, took over as the principle owner nearly two years ago and she wasn’t shy about her desire to sell the team. Davidson publicly stated that the team was her husband’s “baby” and it did not deserve an absentee owner.

Davidson hoped to sell the team by the start of the 2010-2011 NBA season, and as the all-star break approaches a deal still isn’t in place. There is hope that the Pistons will start the second-half of the season with a new owner. Recently, Tom Gores, a Michigan native and California financier, entered an exclusive 30-day negotiation period to purchase the team from Davidson. Last week it was announced that Davidson and Gores added an additional 14 days to the exclusivity period.

If the deal goes through, there’s no question that Gores will have big shoes to fill, and a long list of tasks ready for him the minute he is given the keys to “The Palace.”

His biggest challenges?

Gaining player trust. Winning over fans. Reviving the front office. Building a championship contender. Negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement.

I’m certain that Gores or the next owner of the Pistons will receive plenty advice regarding the best way to run the team; ultimately, the final decisions will be up to them.

What’s my advice? It is simply to “remember Mr. D.”

Here is what I think the next owner of the Detroit Pistons can learn from Bill Davidson.

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Dime Magazine is reporting that Antoine Walker is set to return to pro basketball and sign with the D-League’s Idaho Stampede. Walker is known for leading the 1996 Kentucky Wildcats to a DI NCAA title and spending a majority of his career in Boston playing alongside Paul Pierce. Walker eventually won an NBA title with Miami, but it’s safe to say that moment was probably the last positive highlight of his career.

Recently, Walker legal troubles have been leading the headlines — not his game. He admits to a string a bad real estate business decisions, as well as gambling debt. In May 2010, it all came to a head when he filed for bankruptcy after making more than $110 million in 13 NBA seasons…ouch! I can’t fathom having that much and blowing it all. I won’t get on my soap box about guys in the league mismanaging their money. However, I will say that I hope Walker can make a come back and turn his troubles around…plus I want to see the shimmy one more time.

Good night sports fans,

Alana

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I woke up this morning to find tweeter nation up in arms over LeBron James “bumping” his shoulder into Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. The Heat have not been winning lately and there has been a lot speculation around Spoelstra’s tenure in Miami. Will he be replaced by Pat Riley? Are the Big 3 unhappy with the direction that the team is going in?  

Needless to say Spoelstra is facing a tremendous amount of pressure. His boss is a legendary NBA coach and general manager. He is coaching three of the best players in the NBA. And he’s coaching against a guy that has won 11 NBA Championships who just happened to criticize him last week. Can you imagine going to work each and every day hearing people boo, cuss, and tell you how bad you’re at doing your job? I can’t and I really don’t think it’s fair.

I can’t believe that fans really think that by just putting Bosh, Wade, and James together they would automatically win. First, the other players in the league aren’t going to roll over for Miami. They have marked the game against Miami on their schedules and their fans have too. This a game where everyone will come out to play. Second, didn’t we learn anything from the 2004 Olympics? That team had the best players that the NBA had to offer – LeBron, Melo, AI, and Duncan. And we saw from that experience that player’s need time to gel and come together as a team. I think it’s a little early to blame everything on Spoelstra. But I will say that the clock is ticking.

Either way, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen contact between LeBron and his coach. He bumped shoulders with former Cavs coach, Mike Brown, and well we all know how that turned out. Things that make you go hmmmm….

Good night sports fans,

Alana

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