The Need For White American NBA Stars

Kevin Love? Kirk Hinrich? David Lee? These are probably the three best American white players people think of in the NBA today.

These names do not inspire the memories that were once created by the likes of a Chris Mullin, Larry Bird, John Stockton or anyone before them. They do not have Hall of Fame credentials, or people watering at the mouth to have them as the potential Franchise leaders of their teams.

Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki could be put into the discussion I am having, except for one basic function they are missing: They are not American. They can stand along the sides of Mullin, Bird and Stockton in terms of playing ability; but do not hold the same criteria needed in this discussion.

Why does the league need a white American star? Simple, people want to see someone similar to themselves succeeding. 

People want to see someone that is relatively similar to themselves out on the playing field succeeding. I am not inferring that one has to fit a certain parameter to be liked, rather I am simply stating there are clear instances where someone who is similar to a particular fan base in culture or race receives slightly more love than the average person at a given time. Brian Scalabrine with the Boston Celtics has been a perfect example of a guy who gets more love than your average benchwarmer.

Joe Louis versus Max Schmelling, The Rematch from Yankee stadium in 1938, is probably the best example of this dynamic at work. You had a poor, black man from Detroit, the motor capital of the country, going against Max Schmelling, the evil Nazi from Brandenburg, Germany (Scmelling never actually supported the Nazis, he merely placated them). It was WWII for some in USA versus Germany for this fight; but for others it was a black man finally outlasting or proving himself worthy against a white man and manifest destiny. Americans in general were overjoyed at Louis defeating the tough, relentless Schmelling, especially African Americans, who got to see someone like themselves achieving at the highest level.

The same instance of Jesse Owens at the Olympics in Berlin could also be referenced within these walls of support.

Jim Thorpe and the rest of his teammates during college football were able to establish the Native American full blooded and half blooded as great championship quality College Football players. His feats in Track and Field as well can be stated proofs of excellence.

Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente gave more incentive for Blacks and Latins to show interest in baseball. Yao Ming did this for the Asian community stateside and overseas in basketball and other players such as Wang Zhi-Zhi have played in the league as well. The difference was and is that Yao has been an All-Star caliber player in the league and provides a sense of pride to those of similar backing.

One could try and point out for others saying that not all fields of play are covered, and I agree. When speaking of Mexicans, instead of simply Latin basketball players, you are left with Eduardo Najera instead of Manu Ginobili, not really star material. Although, Najera was pretty nasty inside while playing at the University of Oklahoma and still gives support at a Professional level to an extent.

Understandably, people could believe that maybe Kevin Love could come around or David Lee is underrated, fine. The problem I have in that analogy is there is no one who is blatantly naive enough to go along with making particular statements of greatness about these guys the way they would about a Bird, Stockton or even Mullin.

I have heard arguments before about Stockton being the best Point Guard of All-Time or Larry Bird as the best player of All-Time. While I do believe Stockton and Bird are Top 20 All-Time, I can’t respectfully put them ahead of Magic Johnson for Point Guard and Michael Jordan as the best All-Time.

I still, however, enjoy the nature people had and still have about the best ever with regards to Bird. The arguments between who was better Magic or Bird in the 80′s between them would have been great fun to dissect. Bird, with his MVP’s to start his career with and Magic having College and Pro titles.

I personally, see Bird as the third or fourth best player of All-Time. That’s just my opinion, but many of all different races I have heard from state him to be the best of All-Time. This forms inevitably a breakdown of the reasons he is given for his status.

Many reflect of his abilities mentally as much as any lingering physical inabilities that may hold him back as reasons for his greatness. It causes me to reflect at how Larry Bird is truly spoken of like great black Quarterbacks such as Warren Moon, Doug Williams and most similarly Donovan McNabb.

Donovan McNabb, is many times overlooked for his greatness. He has led his team to a Super Bowl and has statistics similar to Brett Favre.

The basic assumption in the past, was that African Americans were not smart enough to be a quarterback. The basketball assumption over time became that Caucasians were not athletic enough to be great. I could use Warren Moon as my example; but like Bird, McNabb played in the Northeast and was reinventing himself as someone of his background doing things that had not been done before.

What’s my point out of this all? People want to see not only someone similar to themselves achieve greatness; but someone completely out of the cookie cutter doing it as well in a different form. We love the jumping out of the building of a Michael Jordan and also the pizzazz below the rim of a Magic and Bird.

There hasn’t been a great white American ballplayer since Stockton and therefore, it has taken some luster out of the game the way David Stern continues to every season. I miss great defense. I need to hear a comment about Bird being too slow or Stockton running around in his minuscule shorts to satisfy my appetite.

I enjoy the lewd comments or satire that comes with stars like Bird and McNabb because in the end, it makes it so much more fun to watch them succeed.

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