Elton Brand, for the sake of all that is decent in the world, please stay in LA.
This is a bit sad, but Los Angeles, the pinnacle of evanescence, filled with its entertainment industry transplants, trustfund hipsters, Ed Hardy-shirt-wearing douchebags and invisible working poor has taught me something about civic pride. Never thought it would happen because I live in Oakland, and Oakland is like Detroit or Baltimore — a fiesty underdog city where every citizen has not so much a chip on his shoulder but a log. Everyone from Oakland is damn proud of it, and if they don’t have a tattoo that says as much, be sure they’ll let you know somehow. However, right now Oakland could learn something from Los Angeles (and I never thought I’d say those words).
See, I just saw this video from LA Times Sports columnist Bill Plaschke making an impassioned plea for Elton Brand to stay in LA, and I read another column, also in the LA Times and written by FTB friend Kurt Streeter, on the personal impact of the Seattle Sonics being herded away to Oklahoma City. Both these pieces speak to the importance that a sports team and their players can have on a city’s self regard. As we’ve overtly expressed before on FTB, and as naive as it might be, we believe sports to be a part of the public trust, something that unites a citizenry (which means a lot in a place like Oakland that is statistically the most culturally diverse city in the US). Although many are grown-ass men, true sports fans are kinda like Emo Girls. They feign cynicism yet are unable to avoid emotional investment, and thus, are perpetually heart-broken.
And I should know better than to think that any pro team has anyone’s best interest in mind but its own. In big-time sports these days, loyalty is a one-way street. It flows from our thinning wallets to the ever fattening ones of the pockets of owners, athletic directors and players.
-Kurt Streeter
That could be the verse to a “Dashboard Confessional” song with a few lyrical substitutions, right? Maybe it’s because I’m tired of the cynicism that I really hope Elton Brand and his agent have the heart to decide and stay put in LA. In fact, Elton Brand, why not shave off a few more million from your salary so The Clippers can keep Maggete too. Honestly, in the past I have only supported the Clippers because of their step-child status vis á vis the Lakers, but now, if Brand does the right thing and stays for less cash, I’ll support more than a team, but an idea. An idea that the city of Oakland, its leaders, its journalists and its basketball team could embrace. I know it’s only a few miles down the road, but dammit, where are the mainstream voices protesting The Fremont A’s? And where’s my Ron Dellums “Monta Stay in Oakland” video? I’m waiting Oakland, and in the meantime, I won’t be getting my hopes up, but secretly I will.
M. Meschery
you make a lot of sense, the warriors have me perpetually all kinds of emo. ps i hate those ed hardy shirts.
Comment by brett | 07.7.2008 | 2:15 am
I agreed with everything Mr. Plaschke said but couldn’t take him seriously after he said, “it’s not living up to your word when you would stay in LA.” It’s hard to believe anything an athlete says contract-wise after hearing that Baron would stay and hours later hearing that he’s opting out. Less than 24 hours later I hear that he’s already had an agreement with the Clippers..
Comment by fliphop | 07.7.2008 | 3:02 am
I wholeheartedly agree.
Man, I just want someone to be happy, somewhere. If it has to mean following the LA Clippers, Fremont A’s or the Santa Clara 49ers, so be it.
And, great idea, Ron Dellums and Gavin Newsom, should give the city keys to Monta. Step up!
Comment by Gd. | 07.7.2008 | 6:41 am
As they say, “The system can only be changed by the people who can’t be bought.” Of course, the system right now works pretty well for the players, agents, owners, etc. It’s the fans that get screwed. The bottom line is that The Bay Are is the 4th largest media market in the country. There’s no reason we shouldn’t be a desired destination for talented players.
Comment by matthewmeschery | 07.7.2008 | 4:02 pm
That pesky “no championships in 33 years thing” isn’t doing us any favors. And a perception of penny pinching won’t help. Remember when the 49ers were the envy of the NFL? When DeBartolo pioneered things like team vacations and chartered flights? Well, it made the Bay Area the number one destination for NFL free agents for a couple of years in the 90s. Remember how we scooped up Ken Norton, Jr., Deion Sanders and others? It could happen with hoops too, but I’m guessing that a culture of losing and “fiscal responsibility” ain’t going to paint a rosy enough picture.
Comment by admin | 07.7.2008 | 4:19 pm
This is pretty pathetic. Now even celebrity real estate listings are getting in on the drama. Make of it what you will, I’m suggesting not much:
http://www.bergproperties.com/blog/basketball-star-elton-brand-places-his-5471-square-foot-house-in-los-angeles-hollywood-hills-back-on-the-market-for-49985m/4213/celebrities
Comment by matthewmeschery | 07.7.2008 | 9:33 pm
I’ll tell you what I make of it.
Nice house.
Comment by Gd. | 07.7.2008 | 9:59 pm