The hatred i think comes from all the arrogance they have always had, from coaches to players. They always have had some kind of drama and no matter what team was beating the lakers much like the Rockets they would always say "what's wrong with the Lakers" never saying "hey the rockets are doing good" It was always "kobe isn't playing well" Making his damn court case and how he makes it back into games as if he is Willis Reed not some one that just is on trial for rape charges. I mean that is the problem with the team and the media behind them which causes so many more people dislike them.
You're right... my mistake. This sight does have more visitors... I didn't realize how much we've grown since Yao... truthfully I like it better before all the growth... But I still come here more than any other site because of threads like the Del Harris interview...
MR. MEOWGI, You are spot on in those descriptions about each city! But "marketable" isn't only about the city. It's about "how we play" and "how much we win." Having two mega "stars" wont make us exciting if we are only a mediocre team. But if we "kick ass and take names" we'll be very popular. Especially since we have two of the most popular NBA stars on the planet (Yao #1, McGrady #6 behind, Yao, Shaq, Kobe, Kidd, Duncan). If we can mesh the spectacular style McGrady with the fundamental style that Yao plays and you have a nice combination. If we can only get our guys to play as a TEAM. The better the passing, shooting, even more excitement... No more 45 win seasons either. Yawn... And we can be exciting AND down-to-earth, as long as we have the players to do that. Hakeem and Drexler were both very low-key guys. They really didn't like the spotlight (especially Hakeem). That's why we were more down-to-earth. Today...we have McGrady. He's loves the spotlight. Yao is mauled with microphones and interviews. He's a lot more marketable NOW than Hakeem every got (even after Hakeem won his first ring). As far as being "hated." That won happen until we become a dynasty (win championships year after year). So, like sums41, cody and Jebus said. We'll be hated the more rings we win. P.S. Who loves it when the Lakers loose (even when they are down)? Those 14 championships really have a lot to do with that "hate." Those cocky bastages!
I personally think the Lakers are hated because of the media. Frankly all teams have arrogant annoying personalities. It's just that they're not marketed the same way as others in a city under the national spotlight. Sure Kobe and Shaq as Lakers had their share of quotes that made them come off as selfish and annoying. But really if any team was put under the microscope the same was as they were, you'd find a lot of quotes from the other 28 teams in the league that would make its players sound the same way. Not everyone wants to see what celebrity is attending a Lakers game to advertise their latest POS movie or generic sitcom. Not everyone cares about what brand of toilet paper Kobe Bryant uses to wipe his ass. But the national media puts the Lakers, Knicks, Yankees, Redsox, Cowboys, etc. under such a heavy coverage waiting for every opportunity to stir controversy, however weak the credibility of said controversy may be because it sells, and they have newspaper columns to fill, a nightly hour long SportsCenter show to air, and companies to endorse who invest in superstars like Kobe, and Shaq. Barring the rape trial, you could create just as much controversy among last years Rockets as much as last years Lakers. It's really all in how the media chooses to spin it. They can make a team seem like a bunch of demi gods one day, and report with such animosity the next day that would lead you to think they fell off into the deepest chasm of hell. If the Rockets get put under such a heavy spotlight from the media the same way other major marketing sports organizations do, you can bet even the smallest quote that might hint dislike from one of our players about another, will air on tv, be written in columns, and spun like all hell is breaking loose in our organization. Blame the media if we get hated. Not our players, or our organization.
winners are almost always hated by at least some people. however, as people have mentioned are two main players are t-mac and yao. yao is about as likeable a player as there is in the league. it's hard to hate someone like yao. he doesn't give you much ammo. on the other hand shaq and kobe give plenty to talk about with their arrogance.
I don't think we'll be hated because we don't have the history that the Lakers do. The Lakers are also in a bigger market. FOr the first few years I'm sure the general fan won't hate us, they'll probably root for us. If we become a dominant dynasty that could change, but I still doubt it. San Antonio's a dynasty, but no one hates them. As long as Kobe's still Kobe, people will be rooting for T-Mac.
San Antonio's not a dynasty. If they win another championship in the next two or three years, then you'll have something. The Bulls are a better example. They were a dynasty that was absolutely beloved. Jordan just had that oncourt charisma, and off the court carefully crafted image. If the Rox start trucking in the championships, as long as Tmac doesn't come off as overbearingly arrogant, I can see us being beloved to. With Tmac providing the oncourt pyrotechnics and Yao being the diplomatic face to the media.
Why do you think we should win? Because of Yao? T-Mac was in a league's worst team last year. Why he shouldn't be this year? Scoring title? Forget it, man.
I doubt it. Its pretty hard for someone to hate Yao, he is very likeable. Its not like Shaq and Kobe where you have these two monster ego's. I think we'd be viewed more like the Spurs
I am trying to think of a situation where fear of hatred by others would make me not want titles for the Rockets or Astros, but somehow, in the end, I find myself inevitably caring more about winning than about having my team be hated by someone I've never met. Especially when I myself like my players.
the reason people hated the lakers had very little to do with how marketable they were. factors involved: 1. history. It's the same story as with the Yankees. They just keep seeming to win it all because they always have as much or more money to throw at players every year than any team outside of New York. (and having Jerry West in their organization all of those years didn't hurt) 2. the players on their roster/ team chemistry. Shaq is easy to hate because he's so over-powering. he's easy to root against. Kobe- do i really have to explain why people hate him? Rick Fox- Greasy guy trying desperately to be an actor. last year they had Karl Malone and who doesn't hate Karl Malone? Phil Jackson - known as a guy constantly riding the coat tails of the most dominant players in the league and then taking credit when they succeed(i don't believe that, but it's a common belief). 3. Their fans. Good god. Lakers fans are the worst. All of the snobby celebrities. All of the idiots on message boards coveting other teams players when they already had a team with four hall of famers and three out of four of the last trophies before this past season. There are probably more but I'm tired....
I don't buy the salary part. They actually abided by the salary cap last season with 4 HOFers on their team. NY, and Portland are victims of doing that, but not the Lakers. They're not the Yankees. I also don't buy the history part. What I do buy though like I said is the media pretty much forcing any Lakers media down my throat like I really care for 10-20 minutes of SportsCenter with the rest of the 10-20 minutes being dedicated to the Yankees-BoSox, while the rest of the 20-40 minutes consists of ESPN self promotion, commercials, and maybe 1 or 2 minutes if I'm lucky of local Houston commentary whether it be in baseball, football, or basketball. I don't like to see a team I don't root for being forced down my throat everytime I want to see local Houston sports highlights of games I missed or input from professional analysts in my teams chances.
I would say it's still the samething. Even though they didn't actually spend the money, the money those guys are "worth" is the thing here. I guess having more money in this case has nothing to do with it, but the fact they were able to get highly paid players to come to their team is very similar to the Yankees, weather they actually paid those money or not...
Wow, we've got some haters on REALGM Even our likable "Big Stiff" gets some heat. http://www.r***gm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=281354 change *** to eal to view the topic
I agree. It takes time to build up hatred. And it certainly never hurts to have a standout player that opposing teams fear and respect (that kid is back on the escalator. )
The Lakers are not the most hated team in the country. I would argue that they are not even the most hated team in the NBA. The Yankees are the most hated team in the country. And you could argue that the Celtics are more hated than the Lakers in the NBA. That being said, Yankees are the most popular also. So hate is just a sign of respect in my opinion. I would rather be hated and respected than loved and pushed around.
