Here at Fundamentally UnSound, I try not to have too many serious posts. The reason is while I want my blog to force people to think, I also want it to be a place where people can find some humor to take their minds away from the stresses of everyday life. However, in light of the Democratic Presidential nomination being all but wrapped, I'm compelled—for a few reasons—to speak on the new number one draft pick: Barack Hussein Obama. This won't be about his policies or his Iraq strategy, or anything...political, per se. If you frequent this blog, then you know I like to focus on the underlying ideas and theories that aren't mainstream enough to be regularly discussed. I'm going to present Senator Obama as if he followed the paths of a few famous/infamous draft prospects. But first, let's review his scouting report...
Based on the speeches, interviews, and debates I've seen, Barack Obama is a very charismatic individual. The way he speaks, one could believe he could read a cooking recipe and receive a standing ovation. He has excellent social skills. If his intelligence isn't already evident, he graduated from Harvard Law School writing the law reviews. That means he told other Harvard Law students what to write and how to write it. In sports terms, he possesses all the tools.
As with potentially franchise-saving players, Obama has a lot of outside pressures that are placed on him. With everyone still reeling from the Dubya Administration, the prospect of someone with new ideas is welcome with open arms. Then, throw in the fact that he's a "fresh face," and now you
allegedly have a previously uninterested demographic now wanting to vote (read: most Black people). With his scouting report done, I'll now project him in the light of a few recent #1 overall picks.
Lebron JamesThis is the pick most people expect Barack Obama to turn out to be. Most Black people want him to be the savior of all that is African-American. They expect him to swoop in, like some sort of Super
(Half)Negro, and rescue everyone. However, this isn't limited to just Black issues. People expect him to instantly lower gas prices, make health care free, and bring the troops home before dinner time. Regardless of how he develops as a President, whatever ideas he has for the country will take a minimum of two years to really blossom. Most people believe Lebron will win his share of titles in
New York Cleveland; just like most expect Obama to work wonders from the Oval Office (insert Bill Clinton joke here). While supporters like myself have become witnesses, let's not forget that even King James needed Daniel Gibson to rise up to help him get to the Finals. And when Lebron's teammates didn't show up against the Spurs, he wasn't strong enough to carry him alone. This is the fate Obama will suffer if people don't realize that change starts with every person, not with the President. This brings me to an idea that few people refuse to acknowledge; and it's the path the next #1 pick traveled...
Kwame BrownThere's a notion that a lot of people aren't willing to accept as a possibility. What if Barack Obama, will all this hype, is a terrible Commander-in-Chief? What if he's in over his head, like Kwame is in the Association, and can only manage flashes of potential? Face it, folks. That can happen. I don't know what makes him oblivious to mistakes, when it's a known fact that he has very limited experience. This is not to wish any negative things on him. I'm just refusing to wear the rose-colored glasses that most supporters seem to put over their eyes when discussing him. Just because he's charismatic doesn't mean he's infallible. Now, he can't be traded like Kwame was; but he'd only be guaranteed the next four years...and that's if nothing happens. Conspiracy, anyone?
Michael VickObama's time in office could go along the path of Michael Vick. Things could start out great, with him being the most electrifying President&mdashdespite not being totally adept at the position. He could perform his equivalent of being the first quarterback to win a game at Lambeau Field. Then, some event could be his presidency's version of Ed Hartwell breaking his leg; and the series of happenings could cause his term to be cut short. I'm not implying anything criminal...well on his part, anyway. I'm just saying that they shot John F. Kennedy. From that, I gather that no P.O.T.U.S. is safe...
Joe SmithThis is the path that has the most realness to it. He could be University of Maryland's own Joe Smith, a number one pick that manages to revive his career from Bustville Cemetary. For the first part of his career, Smith was widely viewed as overrated. Now, especially after his trade to Cleveland, he's somehow underrated as a player. Obama's possible term to follow the same road. The policies and decisions he makes could leave him ridiculed at early outset. But as his term progresses, his judgment garners more and more appreciation; and he'll be undervalued in U.S. history. To me, this is still a letdown when one considers the tremendous fanfare Obama has going into the election. I guess his charisma could be his version of Joe Smith's 15-foot jumper...
No one knows what the future holds for Barack Obama. The only thing certain is that his draft stock can't get much higher. All that's left is to see how he develops over the next four years. Oh, and he does have my vote.
Peace.
I'll use Lebron for this example because he is the most visible face of the most globalized sport this side of soccer. He's already stated his goal of being, "a global icon," and in order to achieve that he needs a certain characteristic that even eluded Ali during his prime: crossover appeal. People of all cultures and races love Lebron. Don't think for a second that his "powder" thing he borrowed from KG and Jordan was spontaneous. He recognized that he needed more than just on-the-court ability that will allow him to be exalted in the minds of the fans. It's his MJ tongue-wag. If he ever switches logos on his merchandise, I guarantee that the silhouette will be of him with his arms outstretched.
What also comes with crossover appeal is an exponential increase in financial stability (read: Mo' Money). As His Airness himself once famously (or infamously) said, "Republicans buy shoes, too." This set the precedence for all superstar athletes post-Jordan to not be forced to take sides and stir any extra controversy from any one group—more importantly, any one potential sales demographic. Today's athlete is more concerned with endorsement deals than making a difference outside of mandated community service projects. This isn't to say that there aren't athletes that don't care about situations like Darfur or Katrina, but rather this is to say that you won't dare catch them saying anything that isn't politically correct. Etan Thomas is politically active; but with respect to him, most people wouldn't Etan Thomas if they saw him in NBA gear; and he's 6'9". It even took me a couple seconds when I met him a few years back at The 
That's why Ali is my favorite person and the Greatest Of All Time. Not only was he the best at his craft, but he still managed to keep his true self without converting through the pressures of celebrity. Now, he's the most celebrated living Black athlete, if not overall athlete, in the world. I'm not bashing the modern pro athlete for it because they are not champions of our struggles. Yes, someone like Lebron or Tiger could use that mass appeal to bring light to those troubles that certain media outlets choose to ignore. And yes, "regular" people have virtually no chance of influencing a newspaper or TV network to give their cares some real air time, regardless of need or sincerity. But in an age where every second of celebrities' and athletes' lives are invaded, we have to respect them if those with a bit of fame don't want to create any added backlash. Ali was a special human being in a different time period. No superstar has to endure any of the harshness that he did during his rise to prominence. And there will never be an athlete with that combination of superstar aura and a desire to be vocal about injustice again.
Peace.
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