Kyrie Irving And The Death Of The Ghetto Superstar

[Eja117]

I just can't buy the notion that Starbury was a more popular player than Shaq or even Grant Hill for that matter. I can't buy that Iverson was more popular than Jordan.

Was that in the article?

(I couldn't get through it either, that thing was garbage).

Now I realize we're not marketing guys, and we don't have access to figures/calcutions to determine how popular somebody is, at least the way the professional do.

But All-Star voting (which can be seen here), generally points to Iverson/Marbury not being more popular than Jordan/Hill/O'Neal.  Iverson was near the top in votes for a few years, but never had the most overall.

Also, jersey sales, while tough because I know of no running list, according to this source, as of 2008, the top 3 all time jersey sales was Jordan, Bryant, Iverson, in that order.  Sure Jordan has been around loner, but Bryant and Iverson came into the league at the same time.  Would love to see the full list/supporting numbers though if anybody can find them.  Again though, doesn't support the notion that those guys were more popular.

Although I do admit, I think guys like Iverson and Marbury have sort of a cult-like following, independent of how well they perform as basketball players,  more so than a lot of other players.

I think Iverson being in the top 3 of all-time says something (as he is nowhere NEAR a top 3 all-time talent).

I guess in the same way that Tebow's jersey is a top seller.

[Eja117]

I thought the most interesting point was in the comments - that rural and suburban kids are more easily able to develop their potential now because AAU lets them play against a higher level of competition, and social media lets them watch other players and learn from them.  A generation ago those factors were tilted toward inner-city players; now it's much more even.  The cultural argument didn't really do anything for me, but I'm far outside those circles so it'd be hard for me to refute it.

BTW don't read the comments, it turns into a stupid political wankfest over a throwaway line the author made about Reaganomics.

I know. What did he want? Carternomics?