When it comes to marketing, the NBA is synonymous with branding stars to sell its sport. There's a face to every team in the Association, even if that team happens to be the 4-42 New Jersey Nets. The All-Star Game is a prime example of how the league promotes its premier product. From showcasing future All-NBA first-teamers to letting fans select their favorite ballers, celebrity is just as much a factor in the game as skill.
Along with the star-filled gala set for Dallas in a couple of weeks, the All-Star Game also makes the playoff picture tune itself a little bit more. While some teams will fall by the wayside over the next few weeks, there is still hope in several NBA markets as we enter the month of February. Problem is, the dregs of this month might have some fans tuning out for quite a while.
To that end, I have a solution for the marketing gurus that are David Stern and his team. The all-stars are well-known throughout their own communities, if not by the whole country. But to every Batman, there's usually a Robin pulling his share of the weight. A lot of these sidekicks are well-known after a period of time, but with younger, hungrier teams that haven't tasted postseason success, their super presence might not as noticeable. My suggestion: how about a slogan campaign to get the word out? Here are some examples I've cooked up.
Atlanta: The League's New Dynamo
The Hawks are moving from the upstart wunderkind stage to a force in the Eastern Conference. All of this seemed to start after the organization picked up Joe Johnson in 2005. From then on, he's been the leader of a squad with young burgeoning talent. This season, he leads the team in scoring (21.4 per game) and assists (4.8 per game).
Among the youngsters coming into their own is Al Horford. The former Florida center was selected to his first all-star team last week, rewarded for his near double-double average (13.3 points, 9.6 rebounds). But there were a few rumblings that despite the performance of these two, an omission was still made from the Eastern Conference's roster.
In my opinion, the most dynamic player for Atlanta comes in the package of power forward Josh Smith. The sixth-year member may not lead the team in the big two categories, but his presence has been more versatile than as a scorer (15.0 per game) or boarder (8.4 per game). Smith is also in the league's top 20 for steals (1.50) and only behind Orlando's Dwight Howard in rejections (2.22), making him an all-around catch that most teams would covet.
Charlotte: We Have a Wall-Ace Up Our Sleeves
The Bobcats were oh-so-close last season to making their first playoff appearance. Now, the team is poised to break down that door in 2010. The main spark could be attributed to Stephen Jackson, whom the franchise traded for early in the campaign. The shooting guard has made an instant impact with his sixth NBA squad, leading the team in scoring since his arrival from Golden State.
All that said, the fans might have already had their hearts stolen by a more entrenched member. Gerald Wallace has been in the Queen City since the Bobcats were initiated into the Association six years ago. And he's been grateful for the opportunity. From day one, Wallace has been the main cog at small forward, blossoming from a bench player in Sacramento.
Now, I must admit, Wallace seems to finally be getting his due, becoming the Bobcats' first all-star selection. He's become a double-double fiend this season (19.2 points, 11.0 boards). But even with a new face being more familiar nationwide, the whole of NBA nation might be taking a closer look at someone Charlotte fans knew had the goods for quite a while.
Chicago: Hey, Could You Leave Some Room on the Boat?
Derrick Rose is beyond a superstar in the Windy City. Hometown kid comes back to Chi-town, leading his childhood team to the playoffs (as a rookie, no less). The Bulls have had a young nucleus for a few years now, but with Ben Gordon bolting for Detroit, the onus has been put on Rose even more in '09-'10.
The sophomore hasn't disappointed, leading the team in tallies (19.7) and dimes (5.9). That's pushed him to be the first Bull chosen to be an all-star since some Jordan guy was selected back in 1998. (I don't. Must not have been that great of a player.)
But Rose hasn't lifted Chicago out of their early season funk on his own. Luol Deng, John Salmons, Kirk Hinrich, and Tyrus Thomas have certainly contributed their share. But it very well may be that a Frenchman is making his case for most versatile role player in the league.
The last time some of us remember Joakim Noah having much influence on the court, he was "dancing" his way to a second straight collegiate championship with Horford at Florida. (Seriously. He was being tasered at the time, wasn't he?) However, it finally looks like Noah's become comfortable with his professional status in his third season. The hustle and tenacity that served him well in Gainesville seems to be coming out once again, with stats to back it up (11.4 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.75 blocks). If he keeps it up, the ark could land on the dry ground of another playoff berth.
Memphis: Things Are Looking Up in the Year of 20-10
It wasn't terribly long ago that the Grizzlies were a playoff team with a young stud named Pau Gasol patrolling the court. But the oft-ridiculed franchise fell back onto hard times and decided to let go of their all-star forward. This left them very young and very lottery-pick heavy. Currently, only three players have more than three full years of pro ball experience.
So, on a team that's so young, you would figure that one of the young studs would step up and take the reins. Rudy Gay was the promise of excitement and athleticism. Mike Conley had the steely resolve of an experienced college point guard. O.J. Mayo gave the organization a prodigy that could score several ways. But it didn't all come together until now. The reason: the most veteran player on the squad. That would be Zach Randolph.
That's right. I said it. Zach Randolph and veteran leader in the same sentence.
To be honest, Randolph's numbers have stayed steady since the start of the '03-'04 season (four with Portland, one-plus with the New York, and most of one with the Clippers). This is Randolph's fourth year sporting the "20-10 guy" moniker, and he's only one of two men with that status through Monday (Chris Bosh is the other).
But something that seems to be dropping off is the knucklehead behavior that's been associated with him for most of his NBA career. (Gilbert Arenas could just be going through his Zach Randolph phase.) He hasn't been brought up in any off-the-court business. Most importantly, the Grizzlies have become his team. He's the man that makes them go. Here's to him keeping that (now) all-star presence up.
Oklahoma City: Continue to Go West, Young Men
The praise is becoming warranted. Kevin Durant took the hype from his one year at Texas and turned it into reality. It's only taken two-plus seasons for him to be counted among the NBA's scoring elite. At the moment, he only trails Carmelo Anthony for the title of most prolific scorer in the Association. His evolution to this point is a key reason why the Thunder are in a good position to make their first playoff run since the organization left the Emerald City.
But there's more to OKC than Durant and his creamsicle shoes. This young team has another key component that has put the Thunder in this prime position. I'm not talking about Durant's draftmate Jeff Green. Even though the former Georgetown swingman is averaging 14.2 points and 6.2 rebounds a contest, he isn't the cog that makes everything go.
This distinction belongs to second-year point guard Russell Westbrook. The dynamic presence that emerged during his two seasons at UCLA is showing through early in his NBA career. Westbrook is following up an All-Rookie campaign with a solid sophomore run. His 15.9 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.8 boards are an exquisite compliment to Durant's scoring prowess.
Although I still disagree with how the organization ended up in the Southern Plains, I did think that this squad had a very good youth movement in their favor a couple of years ago. This includes Westbrook, which gave them a more versatile point man than they had with Luke Ridnour and Earl Watson. It seems that the stars over Oklahoma are shining brighter every night, and Westbrook is the one igniting the light.
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