New Jersey Nets point guard Derron Williams will miss the teams next three games due to injury. In an already abysmal season the arrival of Williams sparked some semblance of life for the fans of New Jersey. The outcome of the "Williams Experiment" will dramatically dictate the direction of the team. There are a myriad of tangibles that could factor in said outcome and direction, I argue none is more important then that of one Shawn Carter, aka Jay-Z aka Hovi Baby.
You're probably questioning the importance of Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov and league respected coach Avery Johnson right about now, and you should. Prokhorov injected the city with a Siberian swag not seen since Schwarzenegger in "Red Heat!" His infamous '60 Minutes' interview captured a brazen billionaire playboy pedaling between pistols, palaces,precious metals and pretty women. He manifested that confident, "winning" attitude and even financed teams in Russia, but this is the NBA where he had zero experience! There's only so far an infectious attitude can take you when faced with losing. And on the opposite end of that attitude spectrum is the abrasive Avery Johnson. His record in his only stint as a coach (Dallas) was impeccable but he had the luxury of coaching all-stars and MVP's in Dirk Nowitzki. Despite his early success, Johnson is still a young coach that's relatively naive to extreme forms of both losing (such as this season) and winning (winning big in the playoffs).
While Jay's extent of experience in the NBA wasn't accumulated in a traditional sense; from a "public relations" stance, the Jigga Man's resume with the league and it's players is undisputed (technically he was with the Nets before the Johnson and Prokhorov). From coaching and owning teams in Rucker Parks Summer Leagues that featured NBA stars, Hov was always a ubiquitous presence in the NBA throughout the years. If he wasn't performing at NBA All-Star game parties or concerts, his music was being knocked in lockerrooms and advocated by some of the leagues biggest stars (thoughts of Kobe Bryant naming Jay his #1 selection when BET let him host his top 20 videos; Lebron James basically reciting the whole "Blueprint" album in the infamous hummer when ESPN did a special on him his last year in highschool; and of course the epic XXL Carter Administration cover featuring Lebron as an official "RocBoy"---he to this day throws up the Roc sign during the game). But as evidenced in the last eight months, affiliation doesn't equate to accreditation necessarily.
Ever since Lebron spurned the league of his talents and respectfully declined his good friend Hov so that Miami could use his services, it's been a flurry of rejection absorbed by Jay and the Nets by way of top-tier players. In Domino Effect fashion (with Lebron being the biggest piece to commence the collapse) Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Carmelo Anthony hit Hov with the "thanks , but no thanks" treatment. Hov maybe asking "Where's the Love?" When they finally landed a significant piece in acquiring the leagues best point-guard in Derron Williams, that acquisition almost seemed devalued as Derrick Rose is now widely considered the leagues MVP and by default, the best point guard in the league.
I hope this trend of players choosing to not align themselves with Jay-Z doesn't become chronic. If it's a matter of players wanting to create an identity independent of or in some cases being overshadowed by Mr. Carter, then fine. But if it's a matter of not wanting to be "guilty by association", then that's ludicrous to me. In the last 5-6 years, anything associated with the Jay-Z brand can be conjured with thoughts and association of class, premium quality, and exclusiveness (think businesses, music, and wife). People talked smack about former Heisman winner Riky Williams for hiring Master P as his agent in 1999 and entrusting P to negotiate his first pro contract, but Williams took a chance and was willing to go outside of the box. You have to give him credit for that. That was during a time P was still advocating a hardcore image and let's face it, wasn't nearly as opulent or influential as Jay-Z is now. Maybe Hov should let things happen organically like Kanye fell on his lap. Maybe Derron is his 'Yeezie to the Nets. Either way, the fate of Jay's legacy with the Nets rests in Williams' hands. Guys love point guards who are true point guards and are willing ball distributors. Who knows, if Derron stays in town, then maybe he can attract future free agents and big name players. Whatever the reasons are, I'm sure Mr. Carter will remedy the reasons why he can't "sign the unsignable (Lebron), draft the undraftable (#1pick)…it's Hovi Baby!"
Before I go in...the article was extremely well written! With that said...
ReplyDeleteI think Jay-Z is not effective as a CEO because he has given most talent worth landing…The Blueprint (literally and figuratively). They don’t want to be under him. They want to be equal or better.
The other potential problem I see with Jay getting quality acts or athletes is that he seems a bit shysty?? Ask Dame or anyone named on the Reasonable Doubts CD. Who willingly does business with a person like that? Jerry Reinsdorf can attest…no one!
This could sound far-fetched but…I think being the best requires a certain level of selfishness and competitive drive. The farfetched part (to anyone as sarcastic as me)…is that those two qualities are probably what torpedoes say a..Jay-Z or Michael Jordan, when it comes to being the “H.N.I.C.” (from a business perspective).
In the booth…on the court…no one can touch them. But when it comes to two or more people trying to figure out how all parties involved in a business transaction, can each get the maximum amount from said deal…who wants to negotiate or do business with a shark by nature?
It’s uncomfortable. The best businessmen shoot straight from the hip. While Jay and Mike (Jordan) may shoot straight from the hip…it doesn’t seem “the next Jay’s” or “the next Jordan’s” are honoring what they are pitching. The people they seem to sign…are people that idolize and revere them. Not people strong enough to have a healthy respect for them. People like that…are automatic challenges to people like a Jay-Z (in my humble opinion….and side note: watch Drake sign with Roc Nation tomorrow…)
From his time as Def Jam President to now...this seems to be a reoccurring problem for Jay. It's only speculation but I think Jay is completely transparent when it comes to the business. While he is extremely intelligent and accomplished, managing others is not his strong suit. Capitalizing off his own God given abilities is where he excels (a lot like Michael Jordan...but I digress).
I know this next statement will not read the right way but…Jay is nothing more than the proverbial “organ grinder monkey” with the little hat, that once he is no longer amusing…he’ll no longer be so closely affiliated with the team. For example, say…Usher with the Cleveland Cavaliers? Mind you, I’m not referring to their appeal in their day jobs. There is no more avid fan of Jay-Z than myself. Anyone who knows me knows that.
However, there has always been a candor in 95% of Jay’s lyrics. So I don’t feel the need to play softball in my opinion of Jay as CEO/sucker for love Lyor Cohen/sucker for love Puff. To quote from my personal favorite MC of all-time (and the Michael Jordan of rap as far as I’m concerned…meaning the BEST EVER!!!) Those people are businessmen. Jay’s a business man…