NBA All-Star Game

MagicFan101 · Post #1 » by **MagicFan101** » Fri Jul 22, 2016 12:01 am

This topic is being discussed at length in other areas of RealGM but given the cause of the move away from Charlotte and the recent attacks on an LGBT club in Orlando, I thought the views of posters here would be particularly interesting.

I'll leave my own political, religious and moral views aside and simply say that I see this as good business by the league. You don't have to agree with or even like your customers, you just have to enjoy their money.

Statlanta · Post #2 » by **Statlanta** » Fri Jul 22, 2016 12:24 am

I truly wonder if this affects the plans of Orlando hosting an All-Star game in the period of 2017-2019 since it looks like it is rumored the NBA wants to come back to Charlotte. I know we recently had one but I can only wonder.

j-ragg · Post #3 » by **j-ragg** » Fri Jul 22, 2016 12:54 am

Doubt it happens, but man the crowd would be hyped for AG in the dunk contest.

And then the all star game

MagicFan101 · Post #4 » by **MagicFan101** » Fri Jul 22, 2016 1:41 am

It's easy to guess how Magic fans feel about a relocation to Orlando. The point of this thread was more to gauge thoughts on the game leaving Charlotte.

OrlandoDream · Post #5 » by **OrlandoDream** » Fri Jul 22, 2016 2:04 am

It would be great for our city to have the ASG back in Orlando. If the NBA thinks so highly of the LGBT community, what better way to honor them then to bring the ASG to the city after our tragic loss. *fingers crossed*

Post #6 » by **Def Swami** » Fri Jul 22, 2016 2:28 am

[tweet]https://twitter.com/CBrueyWFTV/status/756247270484480002[/tweet]

Showbiz Bear · Post #7 » by **Showbiz Bear** » Fri Jul 22, 2016 5:24 am

The NBA doesn't wanna be on the wrong side of history. Intolerance never prevails. I'm glad they're doing this. It's a proper foil to the rampant racial tensions and homophobia/transphobia/Islamaphobia/immigrantphobia/anythingbutoldwhitemenphobia that's perverting our society recently. We don't need PC culture, I hate PC culture, but common decency and common sense culture would be nice.

THAT SAID, everyone is entitled to their opinion on these matters. If it doesn't jive with your religion, or worldview, that's perfectly acceptable. But don't be an ***-hole when voicing your opinion, like Lou Holtz or Donald Drumpf. Sorry, mini-rant there.

drsd · Post #8 » by **drsd** » Fri Jul 22, 2016 7:52 am

Def Swami wrote:[tweet]https://twitter.com/CBrueyWFTV/status/756247270484480002[/tweet]

... assist the league ...

:lol:

..

MagicFan101 · Post #9 » by **MagicFan101** » Fri Jul 22, 2016 2:54 pm

Showbiz Bear wrote:The NBA doesn't wanna be on the wrong side of history. Intolerance never prevails. I'm glad they're doing this. It's a proper foil to the rampant racial tensions and homophobia/transphobia/Islamaphobia/immigrantphobia/anythingbutoldwhitemenphobia that's perverting our society recently. We don't need PC culture, I hate PC culture, but common decency and common sense culture would be nice.

THAT SAID, everyone is entitled to their opinion on these matters. If it doesn't jive with your religion, or worldview, that's perfectly acceptable. But don't be an ***-hole when voicing your opinion, like Lou Holtz or Donald Drumpf. Sorry, mini-rant there.

Yeah, I'm trying to avoid my personal feelings on this (not easy) and I hope others can do the same.

At the end of the day, this is an example of good business by the NBA. I have trouble seeing why any major corporation would take their business to North Carolina while these laws exist. There are so many thriving areas in the US to take your business, why pick one that limits your customer and talent base?

With that said, I have family in Charlotte. They don't support these laws and are die hard basketball fans who were looking forward to this event. It is unfortunate that this has to impact many well minded people.

Post #10 » by **MagicMadness** » Fri Jul 22, 2016 5:13 pm

Charlotte didn't even have anything to do with the law - they didn't want it. Adam Silver is punishing the city for something the state decided upon.

I think the NBA could have used the ASG in Charlotte as an opportunity to promote LGBT awareness and equality, by holding festivities and promotions outside the arena, and airing commercials and public announcements throughout the weekend.

I'm certainly for equal rights, but I'm a bit uncomfortable with Adam Silver mixing sports and politics in such grandiose fashion.

Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts said she was "deeply disappointed" the HB2 bill caused the NBA to move February's game.

"All-Star Weekend would have provided an excellent opportunity to further showcase our great and welcoming city," she said in a statement. "Charlotte has shown its commitment to equal rights and inclusion and will continue to promote those values."

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/17120170/nba-moving-all-star-game-charlotte-north-carolina-bill

Nemesis21 · Post #11 » by **Nemesis21** » Fri Jul 22, 2016 5:36 pm

I have no problem with the NBA moving it, no problem with the reason why also.

KingRobb02 · Post #12 » by **KingRobb02** » Fri Jul 22, 2016 5:37 pm

MagicMadness wrote:Charlotte didn't even have anything to do with the law - they didn't want it. Adam Silver is punishing the city for something the state decided upon.

I think the NBA could have used the ASG in Charlotte as an opportunity to promote LGBT awareness and equality, by holding festivities and promotions outside the arena, and airing commercials and public announcements throughout the weekend.

I'm certainly for equal rights, but I'm a bit uncomfortable with Adam Silver mixing sports and politics in such grandiose fashion.

Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts said she was "deeply disappointed" the HB2 bill caused the NBA to move February's game.

"All-Star Weekend would have provided an excellent opportunity to further showcase our great and welcoming city," she said in a statement. "Charlotte has shown its commitment to equal rights and inclusion and will continue to promote those values."

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/17120170/nba-moving-all-star-game-charlotte-north-carolina-bill

I don't see this as Silver punishing CHarlotte, it's actually the State who is punishing Charlotte. If the NBA, Google, PayPal, Reddit, et. al. want to make a stement with boycotts, the state will need to feel it. No sense in causing a stink and then continuing to give the state revenue through sales tax and creating employment opportunities. The governor of NC was a longtime mayor in Charlotte, and then he won 68% of the vote in 2012 to become Gov. The mayor can complain that she is against it, but her constituency seems to support the state on this one.

MagicFan101 · Post #13 » by **MagicFan101** » Fri Jul 22, 2016 5:42 pm

MagicMadness wrote:Charlotte didn't even have anything to do with the law - they didn't want it. Adam Silver is punishing the city for something the state decided upon.

I think the NBA could have used the ASG in Charlotte as an opportunity to promote LGBT awareness and equality, by holding festivities and promotions outside the arena, and airing commercials and public announcements throughout the weekend.

I'm certainly for equal rights, but I'm a bit uncomfortable with Adam Silver mixing sports and politics in such grandiose fashion.

Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts said she was "deeply disappointed" the HB2 bill caused the NBA to move February's game.

"All-Star Weekend would have provided an excellent opportunity to further showcase our great and welcoming city," she said in a statement. "Charlotte has shown its commitment to equal rights and inclusion and will continue to promote those values."

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/17120170/nba-moving-all-star-game-charlotte-north-carolina-bill

Saying Adam Silver is punishing Charlotte is rediculous. He is protecting his product.

I do agree however that there was an opportunity for the NBA to come in and promote change. But most who oppose the move and support laws like this are crying for sports to stay out of politics.

There wasn't a perfect solution for the NBA. They couldn't maintain the moral high ground, stay out of politics and promote their brand as a diverse product all at the same time. So the best option in their eyes (and mine) was to focus on their product and their business.

darthcheech2000 · Post #14 » by **darthcheech2000** » Fri Jul 22, 2016 5:49 pm

This is the only way Silver and the NBA can express their disapproval of the law in a meaningful way, with actual impact, and they have the right to do it.

If the Mayor of Charlotte or other like minded voters want to change that, they should remember they have major elections EVERY year, not just every 4... Local and state elected officials can effect you just as easily as their federally elected counterparts.

That goes for everyone obviously.

TreasureCoast · Post #15 » by **TreasureCoast** » Sat Jul 23, 2016 12:06 am

Man woulda been cool to see Jordan there when AG lifts that slam dunk trophy next year. oh well, I think Vegas is a good 2nd option, New Orleans doesnt deserve it imo

ORL_on_FIRE · Post #16 » by **ORL_on_FIRE** » Sat Jul 23, 2016 5:10 am

Orlando will be the place to be in the next 5 years. I'm okay with patiently waiting.

AddiFB · Post #17 » by **AddiFB** » Sat Jul 23, 2016 12:14 pm

Isn't there some construction going on or planned, in front of and around Amway Center? Some huge complex with grand outdoor plaza or something? I think it would be smart to hold off ASG talks until that is finished, to showcase that and utilize it. Am I wrong?

Audi · Post #18 » by **Audi** » Sat Jul 23, 2016 1:56 pm

It's not just that the city of Charlotte doesn't want or agree with HB2. It was Charlotte forming a city ordinance to protect and expand rights to LGBT citizens that was the reason the house bill was formed in secrecy to begin with. So it's a bit sad/ironic that they will lose out on the ASG and all its benefits when the city was so proactive in LGBT rights. It's a tough call for the league because on one hand you want to punish the state but you also want to stand in support of the city.

King Close · Post #19 » by **King Close** » Sat Jul 23, 2016 3:01 pm

AddiFB wrote:Isn't there some construction going on or planned, in front of and around Amway Center? Some huge complex with grand outdoor plaza or something? I think it would be smart to hold off ASG talks until that is finished, to showcase that and utilize it. Am I wrong?

You are correct, and I agree.

mattj15 · Post #20 » by **mattj15** » Sat Jul 23, 2016 5:39 pm

Showbiz Bear wrote:The NBA doesn't wanna be on the wrong side of history. Intolerance never prevails. I'm glad they're doing this. It's a proper foil to the rampant racial tensions and homophobia/transphobia/Islamaphobia/immigrantphobia/anythingbutoldwhitemenphobia that's perverting our society recently. We don't need PC culture, I hate PC culture, but common decency and common sense culture would be nice.

THAT SAID, everyone is entitled to their opinion on these matters. If it doesn't jive with your religion, or worldview, that's perfectly acceptable. But don't be an ***-hole when voicing your opinion, like Lou Holtz or Donald Drumpf. Sorry, mini-rant there.

The NBA is actually the intolerant one. They should be tolerant with the current law in NC instead of needing to push their own agenda and use their product as black mail.

And to use the word phobia would be incorrect I don't think anybody is scared of homosexuals.