What is you opinion of the NBA Marketing campaign overall? This includes plugging new and sometimes unproven players, focusing more on individual star players rather than teams, CBS's "Right Now" playoff theme.

Davis Stern. Ultimately it all falls back on David Stern, the man who saved the NBA, does he still have it? Here is your chance to give a shout out of approval or voice your displeasure.

Are you a witness to the NBA and its 22 year old King or would you rather see more emphasis on teams? Does crunch time mean D.Wade time to you or something else?

We Pistons fans root for a very good historical team composite, as I brought up in another thread.

Stern's marketing angle is sensationalizing...trying to stir interest in less fortunate NBA markets. But I doubt many of those markets will take interest in a Spurs/Pistons finals except for big Duncan lovers.

As much as I think he tries, Stern can't really control team dynamics...but he CAN try to shove big individual names down the throat of the general populous. He's taking away the 'team' concept in glorifying a few individuals...wrecking the game and a lot of interest in it IMO.

'Team ball' should be the focus for NBA marketing...not just a few well-known and often over-glamorized players. I think Stern hates Detroit...I think he hates SA too.

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Got to do both. Marketing must include both individual stars as well as teams. Promote the teams which display excellent teamwork. Individual stars attract those who hang posters in their bedrooms, and dream one day of their chance. Teamwork marketing attracts parents who want to teach their children values using current and viable role models working together. Stern doesn't like this angle cause his stars make the money for the league, and promoting them keeps the cash cow flowing.

Unfortunately, that is the way it goes Max, the NBA has to concentrate on someone that the casual fan can concentrate on and since Labron was born on ESPN about 5-6 years ago, then they have to keep it going...plus he is good...against some teams.

Also lets blame the ABC-ESPN juggernaut for the over hype sickenin "Right Now" theme instead of CBS. Funny thing is only the lead singer in that PCD group>Nicole Scherzinger gets any PT, as the other dolls are anonymous.

I am glad someone agrees with me on that ABC gingle. They play it all the time.

Back in the 80's then the NBA became popular they were more centered around plugging complete teams. LA show time, bad boys. I can't remember hearing Isiah vs Magic in any adds back then.

What I wonder is do people really like Lebran and Wade or is it advertising telling us that they do?

NBA marketing is driven by the shoe companies and corporate sponsors. They sell the spokesmen for products and they sell to their sponsors' clientele, even if they are casual fans and not the die hards.

In the battle for market share, would you market to your existing base, or would you chase the people not watching?

Us die-hards will tune in no matter what. We're hooked.

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Yes but is it working? I run into so many people that are turned off by the NBA. Ratings are down from years ago. Miami/Dallas was a complete bust last season. Everyone thinks its because of Jordan. So its Jordan then that means all we have to do is find a new Jordan right? Was it Jordan that fascinated people or the fact that the Bulls dominated the 90's like the Celts dominated the 50's? Thats the million dollar question grasshopper. Not to mention that Jordan earned what he got. Like him or hate him, he earned it.

Dynasties are a very underrated commodity. Amazing how leagues do all they can to try and prevent them from happening when in reality they drive in the fans. Everyone has a common enemy to beat and admire at the same time.

Very good question. I voted that the NBA is doing what the majority of people want, even though I don't like it. The truth is the NBA is doing what's in its best interest running a business. I think they are trying to win over new fans first, and so they plug name recognition to attract the masses. However, who is feeding whom? Is the league promoting what the people want, or do the people want it because that is what's there? Here's an extreme analogy, but I remember my dad quoting a documentary he was watching about the peasants in Soviet-era Russia, and the statement being made that they did not do anything to improve their impoverished circumstances because they could not imagine anything else. A phenomenon that happens in all areas of life, I think.

I thought the pre-game marketing montage was pretty cool. They compared the Pistons to the bad boys team and called us the gatekeepers of the Eastern Conference and the favorites while they compared LBJ to Jordan before he overcame.

That was a great way to market this without disrespecting either side.

I liked the Pistons being called, "menacing" and "the archetype for dominance".

Here is the intro video.

YouTube - Archetype for Dominance