THE NBA’s problems may be trivial compared with those of the NHL which, on Wednesday, became the first professional American sports league to lose an entire season because of a labour dispute, but there is no doubt that the sport is still suffering from the hangover left by Michael Jordan’s departure from the game.
Any number of potential “next Michael Jordans” have been anointed, since even before Jordan’s retirement, ranging from Grant Hill, through Vince Carter to, most recently, Kobe Bryant. But no individual has come close to matching the former Chicago Bulls guard’s mass marketing appeal and unrivalled success on the court.
Tomorrow in Denver, the latest “new MJ”, LeBron James, of the Cleveland Cavaliers, will take another step towards filling that chasm when he marks his second season in the professional ranks by starting for the Eastern Conference in the showpiece All-Star Game.
Indeed, in James, Dwyane Wade, of the Miami Heat, and Amare Stoudemire, of the resurgent Phoenix Suns, the more optimistic observers believe that the NBA has a trio who could go on to emulate the achievements of Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird who, in the Eighties and Nineties, not only resurrected a moribund league but went on to transform the NBA into a global phenomenon.
James, 20, and in a remarkable second year with the Cavaliers after joining the league as a much-hyped high-school graduate 18 months ago, is central to such hopes and Kevin Garnett, his fellow All-Star, another to have lived with the Jordan comparisons early in his career, summed up James’s importance this week, christening him “The Gift”. Garnett said: “He’s a gift for Cleveland, and a gift for the league.”
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Given the global impact of the All-Star Game, which is televised in 214 countries and in 45 languages — this year Yao Ming, the Houston Rockets’ Chinese centre, set a record in polling more than 2½ million votes, mostly from internet fans in his homeland — a strong performance by James tomorrow is seen as key to his career development.
The competitiveness of the All-Star Game is limited, with defence and fouling conspicuous by their absence, yet, with players free to showcase their often outrageous offensive talents, the game can be compelling. The Western Conference look likely to win the game for the fourth consecutive year, although James may have other ideas.
LINKS
Television: NBA All-Star Game live on Sky Sports Xtra, from 1am on Monday