What if the Next Athlete to "Come Out" is Someone you dont Like?

So far the whole “Gay” issue in sports has belonged to nice men like Jason Collins and Robbie Rogers, and I like many nod in acknowledgment just happy these men decided to free themselves from fear and a life of limitations. But it has also been a good year for MSNBC, the Political “left” and those who view the world in coalitions, segments, and blocks-call me cynical but they take my buzz away. Then I stepped back and realized that artificially there really was nothing for anyone to gain in creating a real discussion about tolerance because we’re focusing on sexuality-not likeability. Back then, Chris Broussard played a patsy rolled out by ESPN to make sure they had some ownership of a feel good story that was about to trample them en route to mainstream prominence. It all made me laugh, because Jason Collins was impossible to discourage or dislike before the announcement which kind of makes real progress on the matter impossible. We all sound like Rachel Maddow when talking about a great guy like Jason but tolerance is about not allowing your bias to overwhelm you when it is confirmed…all up in your face.

Why the hell do you think we stereotype? And why do you feel good when you resist it?

Jason Collins is a great Citizen because positions 8-12 on an NBA bench are reserved for guys who will be mainlined into the front office-consider it kind of like an executive internship for jocks. It’s July 31^st and I’m still waiting to see his name roll across the transaction ticker on ESPN, but if your savvy on all things corporate and political you know it will. Ever wonder why once "Badboys" who could play never get any “bench jockey” gigs at 4 Million per while Juwan Howard can speak more at the Heat Championship parade than LeBron? It’s because Juwan was wearing suits as far back as 1992! Want a clear picture of the rank and file NBA roster? And just how obvious Jason Collins was to be Gay Jackie Robinson? as recently as this past play-offs ( source: Dan Lebatard, Miami Herald) a PLAYOFF roster in flight took a poll and by 7-3 decided they would much rather a daughter be in porn than a son who is gay. That’s what makes tolerance so hard, there’s a reciprocal aspect of it that nobody wants to consider when they are thinking about the freedoms they want for nice people. The NBA is easily the league with the makeup of athletes that test our bounds of tolerance, if it wasn’t there wouldn’t have been a dress code enforced in 2003. What if the next athlete to come out is not somebody President Obama or Clinton wants to call? somebody none of you “want” in your locker room (or home) but somebody you need?.

A guy who is better athlete than person.

Would you still sing kumbaya if the next “out” athlete went to 4 different High Schools as a “gun for hire” under the auspices of some shady AAU coach?, the kind that made sure he had “spending money” during his one semester in College?. He don’t know no damned Clintons or Kennedy’s, but he do know “Mooky an nem”, who just happens to be going through his money trying to start a record company. Shake your head if you want to but it would take the same amount of courage for him to come out as you to accept him, in his case he put a gun on the card table when he told teammates on a road trip and asked “if any of ya’ll bitches wanna do something about it”.

He actually “knew” Aaron Hernandez and don’t understand why everybody’s lying on him, he was even dumb enough to endorse A-Rod being a clean athlete. He got “outed” in a police report, and it wasn’t ESPN’s Bill Simmons or super cute Alex Wagner waiting on him when he got out it was TMZ. When there’s no political points to score are there any people tripping over themselves to be more PC than the next person? Especially when there is less than PC thoughts running through your head about the Gay athletes conduct? Would Ellen DeGeneres want to be seen with a guy who has a string of jilted baby daddy’s trying to sue him for child support? It isn’t ideal, but neither is tolerance.

Jason Collins probably grand marshalled several pride parades this summer, but would he stop for any “photo ops” with a fellow Gay Player everybody knows is going to be broke in 10 years? A thug? While Collins was smart enough to enjoy the accolades the Stanford grad probably utilized the attention avenues to future income. That’s how Stanford and Duke guys view the NBA, as an opportunity, what if the next “out” player grew up viewing the NBA as lifesaver for his whole damned family?. This fictional player is more likely to pay too many bar tabs at the Pride Parade than have someone introduce him to an openly Gay congressman and you Proud  Political wonks know it- I just wonder how many of you will be there if the next one reminds you of Allen Iverson. He’s not nice to look at (like Rogers) nor does he make you “feel safe” like well-spoken blacks (like Collins) do, he’s like Sonny Liston- forcing you to cringe when you look at yourself and your prejudices in the mirror. Like Collins he’s popular in the locker room but for the wrong damned reasons and his contract is big and cumbersome making him impossible to trade. He’s the Gay spokesman for kids in the hood because that’s where the natural resources that make the NBA and NFL rich come from. Gay kids growing up in the hood respect him because he came from the same place and the hood is where the REAL outreach is needed. But nobody wants to go there unless you can build a show around it. The few times you allow him to be interviewed will most definitely be the last because he’s blunt and to the point, more Tupac than Colin Powell because despite appearances being Gay isn’t synonymous with intelligence.

Being Gay is Human

Will you feel the same way about a Gay Player if kids in disadvantaged communities look up to him for his tats and his game? The kids who struggle the most growing up Gay aren’t interested in neither Senate Seats nor Legislation, they simply don’t want to die tomorrow-what if the next Gay player can speak to that in terms that aren’t “made for TV”?. If the next Gay player is someone who isn’t eligible for the executive end of the bench and merely tolerated because he can flat out get buckets would you feel so good about yourself then? Can you be supportive of someone who tried to get the Male/Male symbol tattooed on his neck and ended up with some form of Prince’s symbol? Would you “Jackie Robinson” him the way you do Collins and Rogers or would you just hope he goes away. How would the self-proclaimed progressive among us feel if the next Gay player exhibited all of the behaviors people hate having to see in Rappers and heterosexual black males?. Is it frightening to think about? Especially to those who equate tolerance with education, environment and travel? Those who don’t realize pro sports are played by the impoverished?

Tolerance isn’t that Black and White, and Pro Locker rooms are filled with all sorts of men-not just the kind of men who serve the better angels of your belief system. There is a Gay Athlete out there who only wants to spend money, get laid and party just like his coworkers, so what are the benefits of him being “out” as opposed to a Stanford man like Collins?. When he comes out he’ll get a lot of negative feedback from fellow players not for his orientation but for his penchant for cheap fouls and yelling at refs-will it be judged homophobic or jerk phobic? Will Gay Rights Organizations be so quick to aid a player who tends to flip off fans? Can the writers who are legendary for holding grudges separate his right to be treated equally and the times he stiffed them for interviews? I doubt it. Tolerance is well and fine when dealing with someone you find transcendent or “special”, which is why the African American community is so apathetic- because Obama and Oprah routinely extinguish racism until someone gets shot. Tolerance is about looking a Tea Party loon in the face and saying “your voice is as good as mine” without attacking what intellectual level you believe he’s operating on. Tolerance isn’t a front ended, fluffy sort of thing because it’s most important when you want to choke the shit out of somebody- I think Buddhists call it “sacred pause”.

Tolerance is about “like” because we tolerate a lot more bullshit from people we think we like- and those we don’t have a small margin of error. Every workplace in America is about “like” and few outside of sports are purely merit driven, in other words a Gay Player that you don’t like will not be accepted politically despite merit in his profession. How can the enlightened “swells” rant and rave about a guy who got busted buying PED’s in a Miami “port a potty”? A guy with an entourage of loud obnoxious homies who want you to respect them as “managers” despite meeting said athlete in a club a month ago. When we can look at him with objectivity and not view him as detriment nor asset but as human that will be the day we are truly worth our liberal views. Until that day comes we haven’t been truly tested, and by the looks of things in everyday American life “off camera” we’ve come a long way on most groups outside of the mainstream- but we haven’t come that far on people we simply don’t like.

Tolerance only wears well when it’s hard to fit into, but when it fits nicely like Robbie Rogers’ “Halsey44” line of apparel it isn’t really “tolerance” at all….It’s Fashion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jay Z in Sports is a Business Man

Jay Z is perfect for Sports, and that aint a compliment it’s merely a statement of fact, and the most important fact is Mr. Carter has been a representative of “establishment” America for some time now. Corporate America isn’t mom and apple pie as they want you to believe, corporate America is filled with guys like Russian oligarch/gangster Mikhail Prokhorov who walked into the NBA under the flimsiest of vetting processes; because he could. So  If you’re listening to Jay Z and counting the “Nigga’s” used  you aren’t listening hard enough, because he’s been telling you he’s the chosen & ordained  voice of the global/corporate elite for some time now, One World Government is here and your black ass aint coming.

Who else brags about knowing Mayor “Stop and Frisk” Bloomberg?, a Billionaire who with the help of private transnational banks would love to put us all on a calorie count, and through draconian “sustainability” initiatives one day we’ll all  be RSDI chipped Nigga’s.“Hov” has been a good lil “boy” for Corporate interests for years now, he didn’t create “Nigga music” (that’s nuthin but a G thang Babay) he only raised the price on a publicly traded stock and cashed in on it- and in return he gets to pantomime “power” for poor folks while the real elite kick it at Bilderberg.

You see the real elite talk about taxing all manner of human activity while Jay Z (as a satellite) is used to make the idea of one big underclass some “hot” shit, & they’ll wait last to tell him he’s about 50 Billion short of really  being “down” but until then he can certainly be in Sports. He runs the latest phase of his career like a sports team; let me guess ya’ll really thought Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Kanye were the best music has to offer?  If you believed that you believed he owned the Nets. Corporate America is all about hegemony, Jay Z neutered and homogenized something that used to really scare white people because it actually had the potential to reform us, just ask Professor Griff. Why can’t a Corporate Rapper be a “Step and Fetch it” for the Sports agency behind all of the conspiratorial player movement in the NBA? He’s perfect for it- he’s cool and everywhere he goes fans think something big is about to happen. He’s been telling the Nigga’s who made him rich for years he’s no longer one of them, and the NBA is the perfect landing spot because it’s filled with young men projecting the same message. Nigga’s already buy bullshit to vicariously live through Rappers and Ballers; without Jay Z bringing an air of “now” and conspiracy how else will the NBA rule Twitter in the offseason?

I’ve been at games in the good seats, and yes it is Corporate and white but trust me the days of Allen Iverson are long gone. Iverson may have embodied some questionable shit but he wasn’t interested in projecting monopoly and consolidation of wealth like Mr. Magna Carter-the direction the NBA wanted to go in landed right in that safe place where Jay Z resides. White folks don’t fear Jay Z and Corporate type’s aint afraid to “buy” him listen to his lyrics, he’s shoutin out Warren Buffet for Christ sakes- he sold the soul of Hip Hop years ago and didn’t blink, so being in Corporate America is being amongst peers. There’s nothing subversive about a former criminal who is now a corporate shill, he isn’t being detained at an airport for listening to Stokely Carmichael (a 1967 recording) like Talib Kweli was in 2010, because Hip Hops disintegration of substance (and positive influence) in the 90’s was a hostile corporate takeover, Jay Z was simply an instrument of choice.

You’ll see his face in coming years a lot when it’s time to normalize something that isn’t for the benefit of poor people, some of you were outraged when Edward Snowden exposed the NSA but didn’t blink when the Magna Carta “app” was used as a surveillance tool. It’s the “Cool Factor” and the corporate elite have learned you can do anything you want to the populace if you send a smooth brotha (like Jay Z and Obama) as the person to help you do it. You don’t question his symbolism which can easily be traced to Kabbalistic, Masonic, and Luciferian origins and you certainly don’t question the Roc hand sign, because it makes a lot of powerless people feel they’re a part of something- this is why Jay’s penchant for giggling on recordings when he’s talking about how much better he is than his fans always goes undetected. It’s uniquely American to make people feel like they’re invested in you philosophically when the truth is the “have not’s” are only giving you their money….money. There’s no money in “Fight the Power” only commitment, Jay Z warns America that they “made him” so in his world (not Brooklyn) he “is” the Power. I know, I’m just "hatin", but ask yourself something; how much $ is spent on lighting and video production? And why would anyone invest so heavily in projecting something that meant nothing? Jay Z is a branding genius, and he has every right to merge his successful brand with Sports which (like Entertainment) is always in the business of making something out of nothing- how else would you explain Tim Tebow? Huh?. Why not merge the mind-numbing effect of Hip Hop and Celebrity with the equally addictive opiate of sports? we’re good and dumbed down now, why wouldn’t we want our damned Jay Z?!.

Jay Z adroitly niggerized pop culture but he was always more prosperity minister than revolutionary- he never “really” wanted to change the game, he merely wanted to play. Tupac profited from Nigga too, but he was “worthy” of surveillance by the Government as someone who could influence young black men in ways akin to Huey P. Newton and Fred Hampton. Corporate America is always best served when black folks keep their points of reference limited-which is why there’s no surprise Jay Z and P- Diddy ushered in the “Age of Bling” when Tupac was murdered. What is safer than empty headed materialism and focusing on getting rich as opposed to being smart enough to get wealthy? Jay Z will always keep the “customer” riveted on buying a lifestyle instead of making the connection between Greece, Turkey and Youngstown Ohio. Sports are a part of that diversion, and Jay Z is a reflection of the boundary lines being erased in banking and industry right now.

Globalization is the new catchphrase for the landed gentry, who make money all over the word- Jay Z and Kanye have been ambassadors of “Nigga” in places their under informed fans can’t even find on a map- they took “it” (Nigga) on the road like the 92’ Dream Team baby. The NBA is trying to go Global, and players like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony may deliberately engineer moves to LA and New York before they are done- because it’s just a market to them and a loyalty to those who can’t afford to go to the game. Jay Z is a part of that pathos, so implying Roc Nation shouldn’t contribute to erasing the idea of Franchise Loyalty (AKA Boundaries) in Sports is not seeing the future.

LeBron put himself next to Jay Z back when he was in Cleveland, and now he’s the gold standard- because it was legitimizing to him back then to be associated with the corporate icon. The NBA isn’t selling to the market their athletes come from, but Jay Z is perfect for that because he isn’t selling to the streets anymore- he’s clearly selling elitist values with catchy slang. Listen hard when Jay says “In real life I’m much more distinguished, I’m like a bloke from London England”. Ali walked among poor black folks from Harlem to Zimbabwe; he loved us and lost 3 years of his prime because the Government wanted to teach him a lesson-LeBron is no Ali, and Ali said the word “nigga” in reference to black opponents in front of camera’s. Ali spoke truth to power, he didn’t ask to be what he is now, it just so happens he turned out to be on the right side of history, but he was never, ever a “Brand” man. Ali for all his faults attempted faith to his God, while Jay Z on Magna Carta rapped that when a “bitch” asked if he was “GOD” he didn’t demure- LeBron, who wants to be a Billionaire will NEVER be as organically compelling as Ali.

The true sign of “progress” is in criminality, and the types of white collar crime the minority class is allowed to get away with-like Chris Rock said “you can get rich but don’t hurt anybody”. A lot of our athletes have gone broke under the stewardship of white agents and managers while black family members and “homies” are stereotyped. If Jay Z can get into the business, make commissions while his athletes go broke at the same clip and never take the “rap”-that will be equality and progress. Jay Z “earned” his way into the oligarchy with no less criminal conduct than Joe Kennedy- and as Magna Carta states his daughter will “never meet a poor person”, something the underprivileged ignorantly applaud. He isn’t big enough to be the root of cultural depreciation, he’s merely a weak projection of the fruit of it- his only crime being the bastardization of language, something Corporate America commits in the reporting of the “news” nightly. Something Politicians do in front of Teleprompters every time they open their mouths, did you know the word “growth” meant Corporate Profits? and “Labor Flexibility” lower wages and longer hours?

Damon Dash, Carters Co Conspirator recently expressed regret for pimping drug (and Nigga) culture on to the youth but like Jay and Joe Kennedy Dash aint returning no checks ya’ll. Jay Z will always be more NATO than NAACP because if you brag about driving through the hood with Oprah you have definitely arrived, but the “where” is subjective yo. Big time Sports isn’t above reproach due to corporate ties it’s the exact opposite, in fact Corporatization is inherently filled with moral dichotomies that put athletes in positions as to not offend the rich white guy in row one despite the fact that his “Corporation” decimated the community said player came from through outsourcing or downsizing. Jay Z is playing in the only 2 growth industries rooted in customers being removed from reality, because only a sports/rap fan would miss the sacrilege of “Jigga” disrespecting Belafonte on record- and many of those same folks let “Weezy’s” Emmett Till rhyme go “poof” because they’re plugged into ESPN intravenously. So yes, Jay Z is the perfect Nigga for Sports, he’s on an SMS basis with the POTUS! A diamond encrusted, Tom Ford suit wearing role model for the economically/politically disenfranchised “never will be’s”.

Just like many of the Athletes.

The word Nigga isn’t the pejorative here, the word Corporate “is” and Jay Z belongs in that misanthropic cutthroat setting. He’s nothing to be neither afraid of nor angry at, because at his core he’s just a Nigga who says Nigga in public for money. I’m more interested in the Nigga’s on Wall Street and the Federal Reserve and the Nigga’s who litter the White House staff supposedly in charge of “jobs”. I’m more interested in those who say the word in private or  “off the record” at  think tank retreats shielded by media “blackouts”, the ones who control economic destinies and resources- the Nigga’s who can honestly claim “untold” wealth, and  the Nigga’s who view  Jay Z as an “employee”.

@DwightHoward Grew into his "Big Man" Pants

Some people and organizations believe they are karma resistant; Americans love those who  live by the “get it done now and to hell with consequences” creed- and if you win just rewrite the history with your own rationale. In sports the winners can always re frame the discussion and the fans eat it up because we want to believe in the hero’s created off of the backs of those who got screwed in the deal. Yesterday Dwight Howard chose the Houston Rockets, and many of you believe he’s a “loser” for shunning the #Lakers; I believe this shift in power was sown in 2003 when Kobe Bryant showed a much better version of Howard (@SHAQ) the door. Michael Jordan recently identified Kobe Bryant as being similarly “cursed” and he was right, what else would make a man in his position walk into a “pitch” meeting and talk “at” someone who is in no mood (nor need) of his bullshit. “I’m gonna win more Championships so you can roll with me or with guys who don’t know how to do it”. Really? Two years ago we thought LeBron and Chris Bosh wouldn’t “know” how to do “it”, and they seem to have figured it out despite Kobe having done “it” 5 times. In case you were wondering Dwight Howard is 27 years old and he is about to join a 23 year old (@JHarden13) who isn’t the least bit “scurd” of Kobe’s ass-and yet Kobe and the Lakers just didn’t get “it”. The Lakers as a brand is convinced they are immortal, and that is a recipe for disaster in a world much faster than the one they tossed Shaquille O’Neal off into TEN years ago.

I knew Howard would leave, because the 2008 “coup” engineered by the under 30 NBA crowd was not designed for the purpose of elevating Kobe-but excising his tyranny once and for all. And it worked- but will Laker Nation “Get it”. Clearly they don’t, because if they did they would have understood Bryant had no more business in that pitch meeting than Jordan at the HOF Podium- they remind me of the Narcissistic spouse who can’t say those three words (I need you) that women need to hear. And there are all indications they’ll remain delusional as a fan base into the 2014 Free Agency season that Kobe Bryant will step to LeBron James- a player who has been his superior since 2007 with the same type arrogance. Who will have the balls to step in and tell Kobe, “look, you can’t teach LeBron James shit, in fact you’re off the books & we don’t need you”. I can hear Kobe now, “we got cap space and we’re the Lakers” to the approval of an audience that still believes LA and New York are the center of an ever changing universe- just ask Carmelo how that premise is working out. Brands have staying power, but management styles change daily; @dmorey was “Obama like” in the relentless 24/7/365 campaign to get Howard dating as far back as 2011- his campaign didn’t stop despite the Lakers leasing the center in 2013!. He knew they (LA) was “slippin” and once he got the young stud the Rockets were a player. Remember, back in 2011 the IPhone was a status symbol and now based on Jay Z’s involvement it’s your mom’s phone- shit can change. When you put up a Billboard you’ve already crossed into the modern frontier, and I’m OK with it, but don’t put a prompt (STAY) on the damned thing when we all know you need to be putting in a plea. Have the good sense to beg when it’s time to beg! The Lakers were archaic in their pompous need to maintain dignity when we don’t live in dignified times, hell 40% of the celebrities that attend their games are famous for absolutely nothing-this aint the 1980’s man.

And let’s get something straight, the Laker Big Man Tradition is a Myth!

Hakeem Olajuwon is a God in Houston, and Yao is beloved despite promise unfulfilled, and I’m sure they told Howard how much better it is to be a Rocket “Big” than a Laker. Historically the Lakers “get” the big man, but getting him and loving him are two different things, just ask yourself why Laker big men all seem to have the same chip on their shoulder?. George Mikan was a Minneapolis Laker, and he remained a Minnesota mainstay for years, even heading a task force that was instrumental in the Timberwolves coming to fruition. He ran for Congress in Minnesota and did his business in Minnesota; his statue is in front of the Target Center where it belongs. The only thing he “did” as an LA Laker was a photo-shoot when Shaquille O Neal was acquired-so like all things in “La La land” his role as an “LA Laker” was make believe. Wilt came there for the party, the movies and the chicks, and he wasn’t welcomed back as a presence after his playing days because Jerry West was more beloved-the “true” Laker. Wilt was 1-3 in “purple and gold” championship play, noted for sitting out with injury against Boston in 69’ and allowing Willis Reed to limp around for a couple of minutes in 71’ to inspire the Knicks. He openly clashed with Butch Van Breda Koff and didn’t “mesh” well with West and Baylor-and Howard was told to shut up and be a good Laker? The same people who point to the rafters talking about the “Bigman” tradition would have “killed” Wilt if he were playing today, the problem is many can’t even remember Kareem’s moody ass.

Kareem was not embraced by Wilt and was overshadowed by Magic Johnson within 5 years of showing up, despite being a champion Bruin and Laker, he had to wait behind a Hockey Player and underachieving Boxer to get a freaking statue!. Kareem had to resort to coaching for free to get his career started, and he wasn’t exactly warm and fuzzy towards Shaquille O’Neal either. Andrew Bynum couldn’t wait to get away from him, and he had to hear about Howard for two years despite being a two time champ and walking “double/ double”. The Lakers were Howards 4^th trade option last year, and when he got there the first thing he asked for (Phil Jackson) was tabled in favor of Jim Buss’s ego- nice start. Someone clearly don’t want you, yet you buy an audition date and then have the nerve to try and get all “dog” the next day? When Mike D’Antoni came in on a Wednesday another accomplished Bigman (Pau Gasol) was on the bench by Friday- and he was directly responsible for making Kobe “Mr. Immortal/Winner/Killer guy”. He bailed Kobe’s ass out when Kobe realized that being like Mike was actually kind of hard, and in return he got called “soft” whenever the team failed. It took Kobe half the season to even notice Gasol’s benching, he was too busy chucking it up and usurping D’Antoni’s authority  for his own purposes-way to take care of the “big dogs” Kobe.

And now #Lakers have to pretend they haven’t been talking to him like a chump for 3 years and openly considering putting an Amnesty tag on his ass. They’ve been trading him for years, and now he’s probably looking at Dwight and thinking “damn, I wish I were you”. The Lakers have always been hostile towards Big men in indulgence of “fan favorite” guards-it’s the worst kept secret in Basketball history. Dwight Howard didn't want to be on that list, he stared the Mamba in the face and said "no thanks".

Bynum has to be getting a chuckle out of the #Lakers being told like an old cougar that they may be “hot” but not “young people hot”…because there’s is a difference. Shaq was so bitter from his treatment at the hands of Kobe and the Lakers he dogged Howard incessantly to make himself feel better, now you tell me who the hell needs that shit? If the Laker Bigman Tradition was so great you could get them in the same room over the last 30 years, and not just when you want the next bigman either - they’re like Hefners wives-far apart and aware of just how empty it all was. LeBron is in Miami winning on family, sharing the ball, and trust while Dwight Howard was expected to be a Dennis Rodman to Kobe’s “Jordan”; it was never going down like that ya’ll. When Kobe said he could “teach” @DwightHoward how to be a “champ” I’m sure Howard was thinking about how the “up and under” moves (McHale) and footwork (@DR34M) he will learn in Houston could get him “there” soooooo much faster.

And you shouldn’t blame him, the Lakers will be alright once they establish a plan for turning the Kobe page but until then they’ll have to absorb this “L”. Hopefully they look in the mirror and at #24, but given what we’ve seen all of last year I doubt it. They allowed him to call Howard a “3^rd option” before he got off the plane and they facilitated the bullshit character assassinations from fans before and after the so called betrayal. They alienated the only Alpha Male (Phil Jackson) who could tell Kobe his 30 shots to Dwight’s 5 were not productive Basketball and they refuse to accept that handing the financial and spiritual keys over to an MJ knockoff may just might end badly. Tradition is a slippery slope, and the one thing bedrock brands have to do is realize when “not” to depend so much on history- sometimes it’s best to follow for a while and get (young and)hungry again. Maybe then they’ll have the courage to move Kobe along to make room for the next Laker great instead of assuming the next class of elite (Draft and FA’s of 2014) is clamoring to rebuild a delusional empire.

 A Little Insight on Shaq and Kareem

Shaq is throwing shade but he's secretly relieved, Howard is now reviled in LA and he can now benefit from a resurgence of the LA love he wasn't getting. In my opinion Kobes first 3 Rings came by way of playing with the dominant O'Neal but it's easy to forget how the city unanimously sided with Bryant over the years. That "little" city Howard went to just happens to be the home of the one man that made Shaq look like a damned fool on the basketball court, a man a whole 2 inches shorter than Howard. It's not like there was any love waiting on Howard in LA, why hang out in a city where all previous Centers are threatened by one another when you can hang with Hakeem the Dream- a model of serenity?. In Houston Dwight will get nothing but love, guidance and instruction from a guy that beat Kareem when he was still a kid and took Shaq to school in the finals. There was nothing positive to be learned from Kareem and Shaq' just a lot of sniping and cold shoulders.