NBA FanHouse

Jay Bilas Wanted People Sober for the Draft

Charles Rich — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:54:00 EST

Filed under: NCAA Basketball Media Watch, NBA Draft, NBA Media Watch, NBA Prospects, The Word

During the NBA Draft last week, Jay Bilas took pains to avoid using his favorite words when talking about the draftees: "long" and "upside." It wasn't because the folks at ESPN told him that his overuse of the words had become annoying and tiresome. No. He just wanted to keep people from getting too tanked that night ($).

I am aware of the drinking games that are based upon the use of such terms, and I did my level best to reduce binge drinking across the country. We all have to do what we can. Instead of "long," I used the terms "length," "stretch," "elongated," "extend" and the ever-popular "considerable linear extent in space." With one player, I stated that his arms "extend beyond normal or moderate limits."

The draft day drinking games featuring Bilas have been around for a few years. I doubt his direct avoidance of those words did much to slow it down. Especially with the other talking heads around him happily picking up the slack.

Still, that Bilas acknowledges the games are played, and actually has something approaching a sense of humor about it is a welcome thing. Most wouldn't admit to it, or at best might mention it in passing if pushed on a radio show. Instead Bilas came out with it on his own.

Jay Bilas Wanted People Sober for the Draft originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Who Is JaJuan Robinson and What Is He Doing in the NBA Draft?

Charles Rich — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:38:00 EST

Filed under: Mid-Majors Basketball, NCAA Basketball Media Watch, NBA Draft, NBA Prospects

If you looked at the official release of who was in and out for the NBA Draft, you might have noticed a freshman named JaJuan Robinson from Lincoln (PA) University. Why would a freshman from a D-III program, that nobody knows anything about be in the NBA Draft? Is this another smart-assed kid just trying to have fun with the system?

Sadly, it is not. JaJuan Robinson is a 24-year old, 5-11 "freshman," who has taken a long time to get to this point. At one time he was a decent enough high school prospect. A 2-star recruit from Baltimore. A scrappy point guard who was known for hard play on both ends.

He was actually part of Big East school, Providence's 2004 recruiting class (after taking a 5th year of high school at prep school in South Carolina). Apparently he suffered a minor knee injury in an offseason practice and then left the school a month into the season for the always nebulous "personal reasons."

That's where he disappeared (or at least dropped off of any search engine).

After a year, presumably back home in Baltimore, he resurfaced with the Lincoln Lions in 2006. Robinson was apparently very good on the court. According to Rob Knox, Lincoln's Assistant AD for Sports Information Management, he earned numerous honors during his brief stay with Lincoln. He was MVP of the Franklin & Marshall Tip-Off Tournament as well as the Cyrus D. Jones Tournament. He was named to the all-tournament team at RDV Orlando Shootout and also named Player of the Week by the Association of Division III Independents in December, 2006.

Unfortunately, although he averaged the most points on the team, Robinson only appeared in half the games in 2006-07. After his first semester, Robinson was not permitted to suit up for the team because of academic issues. He left Lincoln rather than try to get his grades in order as soon as that happened and was not on the roster for the 2007-08 season.

Robinson loves basketball above all else it seems. In his old Providence profile he lists his hobbies as "Playing basketball, watching movies and working out." Apparently he is now leaving school issues behind to work towards what he really wants: playing basketball.

It won't be in the NBA -- Robinson just doesn't have a chance. But entering the draft will put his name out there. Maybe an NBA team will at least work him out. Maybe offer him an NBDL deal. Maybe the CBA will have a spot. Or, perhaps a team outside of the US will see his name on the list of available players and give him a call after the draft. Perhaps his improbable draft entry is the smartest thing JaJuan Robinson has ever done. He won't hear his name called by an NBA team next Thursday -- but he may just find himself playing basketball anyway.

Who Is JaJuan Robinson and What Is He Doing in the NBA Draft? originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:38:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The NBA Won't Be Increasing the Age Limit for the Draft

Charles Rich — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:12:00 EST

Filed under: NCAA Basketball Coaches, NCAA Basketball Media Watch, NCAA Basketball Rumors, NBA Draft, NBA Media Watch, NBA Rumors, NBA Prospects

There has been some discussion as to what it would mean about the rumored increase in the minimum age for the NBA Draft to age 20. As suspected by some, it does turn out, that the rumor is untrue.

Overheated press reports before today's joint NBA-NCAA news conference in San Antonio had NBA Commissioner David Stern and NCAA President Myles Brand about to announce a deal requiring college players to stay for two seasons instead of one.

This was not only in error -- there's no deal, nor was one discussed -- but missed a fundamental point:

This isn't between the NBA and the NCAA. It's between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Assn.

The NCAA may give its tacit or even explicit approval to an age requirement for the NBA Draft, but it has no legal or practical say in things.

No, the press conference for today concerns the joint venture to change the way youth basketball is structured, run and organized. The NCAA and NBA plan to contribute up to $15 million dollars each for a new program. One that will involve certifying and training both officials and coaches at the lower levels.

The details are sketchy to say the least. By accounts, it appears they are still formulating just what will happen, but they wanted to let everyone know something will be happening.

The NBA Won't Be Increasing the Age Limit for the Draft originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kobe Hearts Krzyzewski

Charles Rich — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Lakers, Duke Basketball, Big East Basketball, March Madness, NCAA Basketball Coaches, NCAA Basketball Media Watch, NBA Media Watch

That is the new Zoom Kobe III from Nike. Actually it is the special edition of the sneaker made specifically for Duke at Kobe Bryant's request, because of "Kobe's admiration for Coach Mike Krzyzewski." Yes, Kobe had a special version of his sneaker made for the team he would have played for if he had gone to college. For the coach he would have played for, wanted the Lakers to hire a few years back and will be coached by him in the Summer Olympics.

The Blue Devils will be wearing these sneakers for tonight's opening round NCAA Tournament game against Belmont this evening. The "regular" version retails for $130. So Coach K, has his State Farm Insurance commercial running this year and now a special edition of a Nike sneaker in his honor. Is it any wonder there are so many Duke Haters.

It does makes me wonder, though, when Sebastian Telfair will come through for Rick Pitino that way.

Previously on FanHouse:
What Kind of Duke Hater Are You?

Kobe Hearts Krzyzewski originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's Gotta Be the Shoes

Charles Rich — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:08:00 EST

Filed under: NCAA Basketball Media Watch, NBA Media Watch, NCAA FB Media Watch, TV and Movies

CNBC premiered its documentary on Nike, called "Swoosh! Inside Nike" yesterday. The documentary was reported and hosted by CNBC's sports business reporter Darren Rovell. Rovell spent several years at ESPN before being hired by CNBC. I was always surprised ESPN let Rovell get away without anyone hired to replace him. I can only suppose that as ESPN has become a bigger force in the sports business, it must have been increasingly hard to have someone cover the business of sports while leaving ESPN out of the stories.

The Nike documentary was never intended to be some scathing commentary or expose on Nike. Not even close.

A couple months ago, I went to the people at Nike, who in covering the business of sports, I talk to every single week. I told them the idea of the show--a look into their company that went deeper than any report. I told them I wanted to show our viewers this sneakerhead culture. I wanted to go behind the story of Michael Jordan's incredible success even today as a shoe pitchman, delve into Nike's history and explore their advertising and finally--look into how they recovered from the labor practices that made them the poster boy for sweatshops a decade ago.

So those looking for that will be disappointed. What about the rest?
The first three segments of the documentary are mostly a rehash and look back on the Nike business and history. Most of this is nothing groundbreaking. They are stories that have been written before.

There's "Brand Jordan," which looks back on how Nike was able to get Michael Jordan to become their corporate icon. How as Jordan blossomed, the brand followed. About the only part that hasn't been covered in so many forums was a touching on the "murder for the shoes" stories of the 90s. The chief shoe designer for the Air Jordan series, Jordan Tinker Hatfield is asked about it. He denies any responsibility on his or Nike's part, instead stating how it is "a sad commentary about culture."

Then it's a "History of Nike." The founding of the company by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight as Blue Ribbon Sports, through its growth, name change and logo. The surpassing of Adidas, being caught by Reebok and then going global for the future. The piece is cut in with commentary from Nike executives and co-founder Phil Knight -- doing his interview inside but with sunglasses on for the ultimate in cool for a nearly 70-year old man. They might as well air this segment to kick off the next shareholders meeting for Nike.

After that, it's "Nike Marketing." There's a quick look at the Nike ad firm of Weiden + Kennedy that have produced the many memorable Nike commercials. The revelation that controversy generated sales. Whether it was the NBA banning Air Jordans at first or Charles Barkley's "I am not a role model" commercial. They do deny, however, that their intent was ever to generate controversy.

This bit is heavy on the celebrity feature with Tiger Woods, Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan and LeBron James all featured. The interviews of them are not new. They are culled from past interviews.

The segment on the third-world sweatshops issue had promise. Or at the very least suggested something new. They look back on the beginning of the controversy: a St. John's University assistant coach on the soccer team, James Keady. Keady learned about the workplace conditions at factories in third world countries and felt it was morally inconsistent with his Catholic social mission to support Nike. Nike had a sponsorship deal with St. John's but Keady refused to wear Nike gear. Keady claims he was forced to resign his position as a result. The statement is not challenged in the story. Keady became more involved in making the conditions known, traveling to Vietnam and living with the workers.

From there, the story shifts back to Nike and how they now work hard to be a good corporate citizen. That they have a 100-person strong staff to monitor human rights conditions at all Nike factories and contracted factories. That they make the annual report publicly available.

CNBC then takes a trip to Vietnam to see things for themselves. It's almost the standard fare of, look at how serious we are about seeing whether things have really improved. We went to Vietnam. They find that conditions have definitely improved, but there are still significant issues with wages and hours worked -- specifically that the cost of living has risen far faster than wages and excessive overtime.

The segment really misses its chance to explain how far Nike may have really come, or not. All they needed was comments or observations by Mr. Keady on what he has seen from Nike since the '90s. Or any other watch group involved in the third world. The closest they come is a college professor who has studied Nike from his office. Talking to the head of Nike's corporate responsibility is less than convincing.

The final segment is essentially a couple of fun things that bleed from one to the next. There is Nike breaking into the world of skateboarding sneakers. The theme is stressed that it comes from the Michael Jordan approach by partnering with an up-and-coming young skateboarder -- Paul Rodriguez, Jr., or P-Rod -- to help them with credibility and recognition.

It then crosses into the topic of sneakerheads or sneaker collectors. The whole issue of a subculture of collectors and obsessed people. Not to mention how Nike caters to these people by offering special limited releases of sneakers and specialty sneakers.

There's a lot to Nike's business that in never discussed. The Nike impact in college and prep sports is never even broached. I'm admittedly biased as a blogger who writes about college football and basketball, but these are areas where Nike has a huge impact. From their shoe camps to the apparel deals with college athletic departments, the impact of Nike cannot be understated. This seems like a glaring omission. Sites like Uni Watch regularly dissect and examine the impact of Nike designed uniforms. Last year, Nike made much of their new style of dress for college basketball, ahead of March Madness.

The focus of the story was clearly on the sneaker aspect of the business. Nike today, is much more than that.

Also disappointing, the support website is lacking. It is so clearly only about the entertainment aspect of the story. There is nothing additional about the sweatshop issue or any of the actual reporting. In fact, if you went by the documentary's website, you might think that they skipped the whole issue. Not even a link to the Nike Corporate Responsibility site and report that the documentary trumpets.

Overall, the documentary is mildly entertaining but doesn't add a lot of new information about Nike. The actual run time is about 42 minutes.

Nike! Inside the Swoosh airs again on CNBC on Monday, February 18 at 9 pm and 12am Eastern and on Sunday, February 24 at 10 pm Eastern.

It's Gotta Be the Shoes originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vitale Was Right: JJ Redick Will Be An NBA Star!

Sportz Assassin — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 04:02:00 EST

Filed under: Magic, Duke Basketball, ACC Basketball, NCAA Basketball Media Watch, Eastern, NBA Media Watch

Nice airball on the layup, J.J.

Dick Vitale spent much of the 2005-2006 season telling everyone in earshot of his voice that Duke's J.J. Redick will make in on the next level. Now, I'm not sure if by 'next level' he meant the NBA. He could've meant the USBL or the D-League....because nothing so far has me believing that Redick can make it. As of now, he's averaging 6.2 ppg, barely over 1 rpg and barely under 1 apg. Meanwhile, co-Player of the Year Adam Morrison is averaging twice that with the young Charlotte Bobcats....and has scored 16 or more points [which is Redick's season high] in 22 games this season.

Over the last five games, Redick has played just 18 minutes....and includes three DNPs. To be fair, he did come out a bit blazing in early February, averaging 12.6 ppg in the first five games on the month. In the 7 games since, he's scored a total of 18 points.

If you notice, this shot above was in the closing moments of a home loss to the Knicks. Redick, tried the ol' finger roll and it just didn't work out too well.

Vitale Was Right: JJ Redick Will Be An NBA Star! originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 28 Feb 2007 04:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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