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| Thursday, January 4 Updated: January 6, 2:22 AM ET Everybody loves Latrell, and other fun By Scott Howard-Cooper Special to ESPN.com |
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Little is known about the project, mainly because it's so new. There don't appear to be any plans to have it on anyone's Fall lineup and nothing has been sold to any network. Only the most basic of premises is in place. The current plan, which could change, is not to focus on any league as a whole, but on a fictional team, something like what ABC did with football and "Coach." What is for sure is that writers have already spent time with some teams to gather possible storylines and background, and that NBA Entertainment, the division that will oversee development for the league, and Columbia TriStar appear undaunted at getting underway at a time when fan interest is cooling. If anything, that could be adding to the push from Executive Producer Stern, a marketing master now searching for untapped fan bases. "You know what, though," said one person familiar with the project, requesting anonymity since neither side is ready to release details. "The critics are out there. The games are not as exciting, so ratings and attendance are down. But you listen to these executives talk and they're thinking four or five years down the line. That's why the NBA signed this deal with Columbia TriStar. It's not about doing anything tomorrow. The attendance and ratings can be right back up when this is ready for TV." In the meantime, other attempts are underway to reach non-traditional fans. Food Network next month will begin airing seven one-hour specials on the culinary skills of NBA personnel -- players, executives anyone. We should note, for purposes of clarity, that they are looking for people who do the cooking, not the eating. Another Stanley Roberts comeback gone awry. Imagine the other possibilities out there. For Comedy Central: "Everybody Loves Latrell." The zany antics of a player in New York City and the madcap high jinx that ensue each week as he and his buddy in California plot to be reunited, snickering to themselves all the while telling everyone they have no idea how things will turn out.
"Non Friends." Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant star. "Frazier." One of those retro shows, like "Happy Days." A guy comes out of small-school Southern Illinois, goes to the Big City, becomes a smoooooth guard, gets a stylish nickname -- Clyde, for example -- and a bunch of mink coats, hats and bell bottoms, then becomes a dominant player in the 1970s and wins championships. The Game Show Network: "Who Wants to be a Trillionaire?" Because that millionaire stuff is so pasé. American Movie Classics: "When Daly Met Salley...." One's a coach who dresses sharp, the other's a player ready for the comedy-club circuit, they join forces in Detroit and help cause havoc on all the other teams around the league. A newsmagazine? "20-20." Highlights from the first half of tied Eastern Conference games. A soap opera? Never mind. The real everyday is more cut throat, jealousy-driven and full of conspiracies than anyone could ever make up. See what we mean, and that's just off the top of our heads. There's not telling the number of ideas a good writer could come up with.
Around The League "This team works best when these situations occur," Toni Kukoc said. "I don't know why that is. But I've never been on a team like this before. Every team I've been on before, in Europe or on the Bulls, teams would want kind of a compact situation, where there was nothing going on. No distractions. I guess here, it's part of the everyday thing."
"It's always going to be a business decision," Christie said. "Basketball wise, though, I hope this is what they want also, for Doug Christie to be a Sacramento King." They do. "We're not afraid to spend the money," co-owner Joe Maloof said. "We've got to continually put a great product on the court. That's our mission to the people of Sacramento." Even if it comes at the same time as (they hope) a massive investment in Webber? As the luxury tax is about to kick in? "There's no problem that way," Maloof said. "We want to make a smart business decision. You have to be smart. But at the same time, we're going to do what it takes to keep things going in the right direction."
Said General Manager Garry St. Jean: "Where we are now, I know this. When the phone rings, I pick it up."
Scott Howard-Cooper covers the NBA for the Sacramento Bee and is a new regular contributor to ESPN.com. |
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