Your two posts are connected because even though neither Mr. Davis nor the white girl in the photo are affluent businesspersons or insiders charged with the unending perpetuation of private enterprise, nonetheless that photo was about as naked a business moment as you are likely to find…

Thanks for sharing and I’m glad SOMEBODY’S feelin me!

The press conference with Stern and Benson was one of those NAKED BUSINESS MOMENTS where they just used minimally coded language to talk about the process.

For anyone who doesn’t understand this language, I’d strongly recommend the documentary called The Last Days of Lehman Brothers. It’s a UK production and it’s on youtube.

Stern talked openly about how the NBA solicited Benson’s bid even though there were others in the mix. These professional sports associations are insider associations — they’re not public enterprises. They’re much like the Federal Reserve in that they appropriate the names of cities and states and masquerade as if they’re doing a service for the municipality when the opposite is usually the case.

Benson talked about the NBA as if he were an outsider who was committed to winning, but who was also being charged a premium to own a franchise that might have come much cheaper under different circumstances.

He purchased the team AFTER losing its single greatest asset. Don’t be surprised if the Hornets have a nice assemblage of talent on that squad in 2-3 years…not enough to win it all, but enough to make some noise.

Straight up.

Can you imagine the behind-closed-doors sales pitch to greedy billionaire whitefolk?

Stern: hey you, Mr. Obscenely Rich White Person, buy my team today and get #1 pick on the house…

How come nobody calls Stern out on this mess? Yes, I hate flopping as much as the next person, but for us to be acting like the art of flopping, or Linsanity trying to skirt the Bird Rules, or “Niggas in London” Olympics 2012, or some other ol red herring bullshit is the most pressing NBA issue on the business side is damned ridiculous when cats just happen to walk into league ownership with a #1 draft pick, again.

Same thing happened when the last Obscenely Rich White Person bought the Washington Wizards (brought the team from Abe Pollin, who was one of Stern’s closest most personal home boys while he lived), he was “tightly awarded” with Mr. John Wall.

Now I’m not crying for Michael Jordan or his woeful Bobcats, believe me, but rather for fairness and integrity, as general principles in our world. Does anybody feel me?