The Kyoto Hannaryz have a former NBA center (Lance Allred) on their roster. Fundamentally sound, a team-first player, Allred could show his skills to impressionable young players in a league-approved appearance on any Japanese network, preferably a mini-documentary, or an hour-long special on NHK. Would the program directors at said stations be willing to show it -- show some guts -- focusing on an upstart league that is a rival to the old-guard (old-boys network) JBL? And would someone at the league office have the foresight to aggressively suggest this and pitch the idea to all the networks and to Kyoto's front office, too? Not sure. But here it is: Go for it. Do it now. Sounds to me like a perfect Sunday Sports segment before Japanese baseball and pro soccer seasons begin in a few weeks.
One area of basketball where Japanese players need greater exposure and training in is this: big man's skills. And there's an ideal candidate here to help show those skills.
His story, too, could be a tale of inspiration for any aspiring player. Allred has paid his dues -- playing in Europe, spending time in the NBA Development League -- before getting his chance to play in the NBA. He fulfilled his dream. And he was the first legally deaf player in NBA history; his was the road less traveled. Terrific story, even if he mostly sat on the bench. (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/lance_allred/career_stats.html)
The public ought to know Allred's story via this nation's Japanese mass media, as well as through the bj-league's publicity department, which does a very poor job highlighting the career accomplishments and relevance of the talented imports who come here to help the league grow as well as collect a paycheck.
There are thousands of AKB48 snippets in the press every month. Well, an ex-NBA player is here, collecting a paycheck -- make that two, actually....Saitama PG Kenny Satterfield is leading the bj-league in assists.
This is also worth considering: Give these guys a live exhibition against any two bj-league players or JBL guys or national teams. Get a big sponsor and show a 2-on-2 game in prime time live. Good for the sport. Good for basketball media. Good for an original, fun concept to drum up interest in a sport that needs it.
One area of basketball where Japanese players need greater exposure and training in is this: big man's skills. And there's an ideal candidate here to help show those skills.
His story, too, could be a tale of inspiration for any aspiring player. Allred has paid his dues -- playing in Europe, spending time in the NBA Development League -- before getting his chance to play in the NBA. He fulfilled his dream. And he was the first legally deaf player in NBA history; his was the road less traveled. Terrific story, even if he mostly sat on the bench. (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/lance_allred/career_stats.html)
The public ought to know Allred's story via this nation's Japanese mass media, as well as through the bj-league's publicity department, which does a very poor job highlighting the career accomplishments and relevance of the talented imports who come here to help the league grow as well as collect a paycheck.
There are thousands of AKB48 snippets in the press every month. Well, an ex-NBA player is here, collecting a paycheck -- make that two, actually....Saitama PG Kenny Satterfield is leading the bj-league in assists.
This is also worth considering: Give these guys a live exhibition against any two bj-league players or JBL guys or national teams. Get a big sponsor and show a 2-on-2 game in prime time live. Good for the sport. Good for basketball media. Good for an original, fun concept to drum up interest in a sport that needs it.
RSS Feed
