h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

michael jordan is a phenomenon (sp?) unto himself, a once-in-a-lifetime player in sports, entertainment and commercial value. his later years have revealed a Real Person behind the commecial bullpoop to buy more and sell more that so invades all the media.

Yup. Jordan is certainly a great basketball talent, but the NBA's policies based on marketing have soured me on the whole sport. Jordan and other superstars are the primary product sold to a celebrity-worshipping fan base. This leads to favored treatment by everybody concerned, including the referees.

Jordan and others (a few years ago here in Houston our own Akeem Olajuwon from Nigeria) get an extra step when driving to the basket. A parody of the song "Walk Like an Egyptian" was "Walk Like a Nigerian", popular some years ago.

John Stockton thinks an opposing player is guarding him too close so he chops him in the nose, bloodying it - no foul. Shaquille O'Neal just bulls over people with his size - more like Sumo wrestling except with only one Sumo. And on and on ... the three point shooting contest at the All Star extravaganza is more interesting than a game for me. At least talent wins out over preferred treatment.

i'll go to a high school basketball game a whole lot quicker than i would to a pro game, and even then, down in the schools, you'll have the LeBron James factor. it's a shame.