Dream Team-Up, Pt. 7

Team Name: L.A. Gear
Team Members: Baron Davis and Elton Brand

These supposed best friends (though some would argue that they both love certain immortalized former presidents more than anything else) will finally have the chance to play together. And there is nothing David Faulk can do to prevent it. I think.

The most intriguing part about this pairing, assuming neither one of them tears a ligament or strains a muscle warming up or driving to the event, is that they will both be wearing L.A. Lights. The intrigue follows rumors that they will be filming a commercial for L.A. Gear, who is making a comeback into the athletic apparel market, during player introductions. My guess is that the lights will be turned out and they will run around on the court while their sneaker lights flash. Okay so that isn't much intrigue. But since L.A. Gear is footing the bill and paying them large sums of money as a sneaker sponsor it really shows where their heart is.

Elton and Baron better hope they an stay healthy enough to collect the paycheck for the commercial. L.A. Lights don't do much if you are on the trainer's table.

Brand Equity

What does it say about you when a surprise upstart team that came out of nowhere to push the eventual champs to the brink signs you as The Piece Who Will Take Them To The Next Level?

That's flattering, isn't it?

But then your much-anticipated debut season starts to middling (at best) results?

You'd probably ask for a little patience. Give it some time, right? Maybe plop your coach in the volcano, just to keep it happy.

And then, you get injured (like you do so well) and your new team goes on a tear, looking once again like that exciting, upstart team that could scare anybody on any given night.

What are you supposed to think about the media (who couldn't wait for you to don their red & blue uni's, bring honor back to their city of fraternal amorousness, and make the Eastern Conference do their best James Brown impression and break out in a cold sweat) that is- as we speak- editing articles about how they sort of wish you wouldn't come back? About how the chemistry shouldn't be busted up. And a fanbase- still faintly tasting the Upset Sixers afterbirth from last postseason- is remembering what it was like to love and root for this particular group. And agreeing with their busily-typing beat writers.

What does this say about your brand equity?

this is the only picture of Brand in a Sixers jersey in the first 4 pages of Google Search. none of the "action" shots are in a Sixers jersey. but that shouldn't concern Philly, right?


All things being equal, these people booed Santa Claus.