Last week it was reported that former Sun Amare Stoudemire had gone to Isreal to discover his Jewish roots and get a really small Star of David tat, I guess just in case he changes his mind at some point you wouldn’t want it too large. When questioned about why he thought he was Jewish he responded with “through history, we all are.” This cryptic quote is either some philosophical statement about Jewish Historical Determinism or he is confused and thinks Jewish and Human are synonymous. Of course the cynical people among us might notice that while he was in Phoenix there was no mention or interest in joining the tribe, but upon moving to New York to play for the Nicks he decided to explore being the man version of Whoopi Goldberg.
Personally I think this is a great move, not just because he is going to New York, but because of the general make up of the NBA audience. Often referred to as “Urban” it has long been known that the NBA fan is mush more representative of both Black and Jewish fans than the general population of the US. There has also been a rather serious racial undertone in the NBA of a Jewish management structure with a Black workforce, due to the same over sampling of Jewish owners, managers and of course David Stern and the large number of specifically African American players. This is Amare’s chance to bridge this gap and bring these sides together.
Not of course to be outdone, LeBron has decided to make his move towards the Chosen People this week as well. LeBron as we have seen in the last month is extremely calculating in his PR, even if his calculations are often severely wrong headed, like 2+2=5 kind of wrong headed. Since moving to Miami, essentially the old New York with more Cubans he has also picked up a Jewish angle.
Like most celebrities aka. Madonna he couldn’t just go talk to any Rabbi, he had to go get a celebrity Rabbi, the religious version of a celebrity only club or spa service. Now to me since Miami already loves him, this could not be a way to get the older Miami retirement population to like him and since LeBron has shown his love of sticking it to people I can only think this is a dig. First another shot at New York, showing that he’s brining his Jewish connection down to South Beach, something very different than Bringing Your Talents to South Beach. And also an attack at Amare who is now right up the coast in his same division.
Frankly I can’t wait to see the Yarmulkes fly as these two meet up this winter for the no-pork battle to rule east coast basketball Jewish supremacy. If you ask me they should get Moses Malone to call all their games, not because he’s Jewish, but just because his name is Moses and it seems fitting, plus he can’t talk at all so it will be hilarious.
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