Athletes and accolades: The Spin off thread
 

Kobe, Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson, Michael Vick


Some of sports' biggest names who have made and impact in the sports they made and sometimes criticized for some for their off court decisions.

Do you think that what happens in a player's personal life affect what kind of awards they get during the time that they are playing?

Example:

Kobe - there was speculation that any awards that Kobe gets from here on in is still tied around the fact that he got off scot freee on the rape case....he has not had the endorsements that he had prior, nor did he win an MVP award until this year altho some believe he should have won one years ago.

Michael Vick: support for him has been sharply divided due to the dog abuse case. if he still continues to play football after he gets out of jail how will it affect the business of the NFL? Will he still have the recoginition and even if he plays better, will all be forgiven?

I'll be amazed if he comes back as a quarterback. He may play again one day but I doubt it will be under center.

Ditto to that....but....why?

because his poor decision making off the field will keep him from being a good field general?

if he comes back and doesn't play the position he excelled in I think will be closely scrutinized.

But Jordan brought his old arse back to the NBA and won 3 more straight rings....you must be thinking about after the 2nd retirement when he played with the Wizards...still managed to get to a playoff, led the tean in scoring and still breaking records.

Now amazingly, with his his gambling issues, it's something they do him like teh MLB did Pete Rose...but then MJ wasn't betting against his team either...

Because I think that most teams market their quarterbacks as the face/icon of their organization and these days a quarterback's value is not just measuered with their on the field abilities but their off the field behavior.

/edit: Basically I don't think any team would take the risk of making him their front man again.

But still one should wonder why Adam Pac Man Jones still has a job considering what has happened to him off the field...but then that plays into this topic...he must have some good abilities to play at his position otherwise he wouldn't be in the league, however, I don't see him as marketable because of his off field shenanigans.

On a wider level, does anyone think it was fair for the NBA to change the dress policy as they did to keep up a marketable product and improve the image?

First, if you buy that Pac Man wasn't involved in the shooting (which is ... dubious), then nothing that Pac Man has been actually charged with or convicted of is nearly as bad as what Vick plead to. Even if taken cumulatively (if that's even possible).

Second, I think this very distinction is important - Pac Man doesn't need to be marketable, just good enough to win. Quarterbacks and other star skill-position players often do have that burden or need.

I really don't think conduct off the field should have a bearing on on-field awards (unless there's some "character" aspect to the awards).

I think the Kobe thing had less to do with his off-field behavior, and more to do with the fact that there were just guys with better seasons or more hype surrounding them each year. I honestly don't think he should have won the award this either (I think either Paul or Lebron should have gotten it), but that's another story.

Vick is going to have a long road back, in that the quarterback is historically the face of the NFL team's franchise. In a way, he was the face of the NFL for a few years; it's how he got the big endorsement deals when he came in as a rookie, and how he got the huge deal from the Falcons. That history, plus the importance of the QB position, is going to make it harder for him than for other athletes (Leonard Little, Pacman Jones, etc.). Plus, Vick wasn't all that great a quarterback when he left (besides the running), so it's questionable what sort of impact the time away will have on his abilities.

Jones hasn't been reinstated yet, so who knows what his situation will be when the season starts. You'd think the Cowboys would have gotten some guarantee from the NFL before making the trade (especially considering the closeness with the NFL front offices).

Ah, big bucks and self important has a short road to drive down!

Self importance and money and drugs is tuff for some of the people who come into the lime light!

So what about our so called idols of sports?

They suck!:mad:

Prove me wrong!:rolleyes:

this small point I have to disagree on for the simple fact that as talented as Vick was (getting the Falcs to the playoffs and championship games, they never worked to give him the weapons that say, Peyton Manning or Tom Brady has especially at WR.

Pearless Price?

Marty Booker?


if Vick ever had a monster WR like Owens or Moss (2 others with questionable off field antics) just hink of what the Falcons could do.

Them picking a squeaky clean looking Matt Ryan is changing all of that for them now....let's see what happens.

Personally, I don't think Kobe has ever deserved the award......nor do I think he deserved it this year. Chris Paul should have been given it on a silver Platter. The fact that he didn't win the award his first 12 years in the league, to me, had more to do with the fact that he was a ball hogging, shitty teammate....not that he raped a woman (but I'm sure that did play a part).

Michael Vick.......wasn't a good QB to begin with. If he makes it back, which he won't, he certainly won't play QB. Too long away from the game, teams going in different directions, the Falcons signing Matt Ryan to a long term deal, etc. The league has moved on from Michael Vick.

just an FYI ...you all don't have to concentrate on just those players I listed!


altho we can debate Vick's merits too!! hehehe

Im snitching

Y'all there ain't nothing to tell... ;) I was youthful and naive and got caught up into the hype of it... Met some interesting people, though...