[Excelsior]

The NHL draft is coming up in June and there is a lot of buzz about its top prospect. Seth Jones is 6'4", 205lbs and considered by many experts to be an elite defenseman who can contribute from the get-go. There's something else about him that is generating a lot of buzz though:





Yeah, he's black. His father is Popeye Jones, a former journeyman NBA player who is now an assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets. His mother is actually white I think, so Seth is really "mixed", but we all know that in the USA (home of the one drop rule), he is a black male before anything else.

Why care about this? Seth is the consensus #1 prospect right now for the upcoming draft. He'd be the first black player taken in that spot in a game stereotyped as a sport black people don't play. Black players are in the NHL, but none are as big a deal as Seth is expected to be. It's getting so much buzz that even Jay Z is weighing in and offering to represent Seth for marketing and branding purposes.

This is big because of the potential it has to spread the NHL to new audiences. With the first ever black top draft pick entering the league and a name like Jay-Z associating himself with that, the NHL may finally gain more credibility among minority audiences who have so far just assumed it has nothing to do with them. We could be watching the game's first ever true crossover star here.

This will be an interesting saga to watch for both NHL fans and casual followers of the game alike. As someone who has never paid the NHL Draft any mind at all, I know I'll be watching.

[Tuthmosis]

Two things:

1. I have a feeling things are going to look a little like when Scottie Pippen traveled back in time.

2. How long do you think it's gonna take before they ban fighting in the NHL?

(Forward to @2:35)

[username]

I love NHL hockey, it is the only sport I really care anything about. It would be awesome if the league could make gain in other communities.

The NHL already has several good "black" players like:

P. K. Subban


Joel Ward


But Seth Jones will take things to the next level. He is a great player and will be a huge asset in whatever team picks him up, which will probably be Colorado. Colorado has the first round #1 pick and Seth grew up in Denver.

[scotian]

Two black heavy weights, Georges Laraque Vs Donald Brashear:

The first black player in the NHL, Willie O'Ree, from the East Coast of Canada.





Lots of black kids playing hockey up in Canada, but it isn't a sport which will have mass appeal to inner city youth as hockey is a very expensive sport for a young kid to get into, unlike basketball or baseball.

[kosko]

Jay-z can sit down please.

Just like Russell Wilson Seth Jones represents an"different" black America. When you grow up in a stable home, are educated, and work hard you get places. Seth Jones crushes the meme of typical Black American victimization. Last thing he needs is Jay-Z window dressing him in a Black urban meme.

Hockey wont blow up in Black America for the same reasons Baseball has been declining. It's a money sport, more so then baseball. It's a stack a year just to put pads on your child, and that's not even counting league fees and extras like gas to get to the rinks in different cities. It is growing in numbers in more affluent families so Blacks have been growing in numbers do to them going up that income ladder. Hockey maybe even more so than soccer is a equalizer IMO. You just need to be quick, hard working, disciplined, and tough to play the sport. Money is the only barrier. In time you will see South Asian, Asians, Latinos all in the NHL. No other sport other than soccer will be able to boast that diversity.

You hit the nail on the head of Blacks clinging on to anybody with a drop of black in them. But I can assure you Seth Jones just like Russell Willson, and PK Subban would be discredited as being "Black" because of their affluent ways they handle them selves. Just like how Drake was roasted for not being "Black enough" so to maybe will Seth Jones of he chooses to go down the route with Jay-Z whom has zero experience at representing athletes aside from Larry Johnson... Remember him? Didn't think so.

If Seth Jones is smart he will sign to the big LA firm that handles Payton Manning, Crosby, and Beckham.

In regards to hockey he will be great. Looking forward to seeing him in the memorial cup which I advice any body with any interest in his kid check out since it will have 4 of the top prospects playing in the championship tourny. I just wish he was a wing or something to beef up that scoring. PK Subban is an elite defencemen but he would be a superstar if he could score more.

[Hotwheels]

Concerning Kosko's post;

From a white's point of view, Russell Wilson is beloved in WI not only for his prowess on the field, but the way he carries himself off of it.

He's a true leader of men while also remaining humble.

Perhaps more inner city youth should look to people like him for guidance in how to carry oneself.

[Timoteo]

I believe there is already an urban hockey program in NYC, but the sport requires a lot of money to play. Some sports just don't take in certain areas. I read a piece about Jones, mostly his dad describing how his kid ended up playing hockey. It was when Popeye was playing in Dallas, so he was an acquaintance of Dallas Stars players. His boys got interested in the sport, and he had the resources to give them what they needed to play. The pull to discredit blacks in hockey as not being black enough is a bit overblown. Just like the Williams Sisters, blacks that excel in non-traditional sports generally get support from black fans. It's actually white fans that hurl insults and invective at them. It's not the same phenomenon that you see in general society where a successful black student is shunned by other blacks.

A good friend of mine is the first cousin of George Laraque, who played many years in the NHL. He was voted the toughest, and one of the best fighters more than once by his peers. He dealt with some racism right in his own locker room. They are Haitian, but his family settled up in Canada. You'll find that kids play whatever sport is popular with their friends, or what they have access to. That's why Scott Gomez, who is of Mexican descent, ended up playing. His family settled in Canada (I'm guessing his dad moved the family up there to get work), so that's what he played. There have been a number of blacks that have been in the league at any given time (Jarome Iginla, recently traded from Calgary to Pittsburgh, is a top scorer and former MVP of the league. He's half-African), and others have been contributing players. Grant Fuhr was the goaltender for the great Gretzky Edmonton Oiler teams and is in the Hall of Fame. Ray Emery was in goal for the Ottawa Senators when they made it to the cup final, and is with Chicago now. Kevin Weekes had a long NHL career with several teams. Jones is unique in that he's the first #1 pick, but there have been other taken in the first round. I don't think it will bring more blacks as fans under the tent though. My brother watches hockey avidly, but I only watch casually, and usually only during the playoffs when the intensity level rises. The sport is still for the most inaccessible to American blacks, so just like with Tiger Woods, more people may watch casually and keep tabs, but not become avid fans. There's actually a book called "Black Ice" detailing the contributions of blacks that played hockey in Canada, and influenced what is now the NHL with their style of play: http://www.amazon.com/Black-Ice-History-...0965116867

This wiki page lists all of the black players in the league:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_black_NHL_players

[vinman]

This kid can be the R.G. III of hockey. Clean cut, thoughtful, professional, and grateful.

[kosko]

(05-13-2013 08:50 AM)Hotwheels Wrote:  

Concerning Kosko's post;

From a white's point of view, Russell Wilson is beloved in WI not only for his prowess on the field, but the way he carries himself off of it.

He's a true leader of men while also remaining humble.

Perhaps more inner city youth should look to people like him for guidance in how to carry oneself.

Exactly.

This is a measure of a true man and it transcends race.

The African-American community has little ammo left because you see a huge crop of successful young men of colour coming up whom simply by being in a environment that helped foster their potential (stable home, stable upbringing) are achieving great things. Just like was maintained in the Clarence Thomas post nobody gives a shit what colour you are if you bust your ass and work hard.

But the Black community still is not happy, and constantly you see them throw cheap shots at these guys:

- Russell Wilson was criticized for talking funny and having a blue eye'd, blonde white GF.

- RG III was critiqued and questioned if he was "black enough" by the Coon-cartoon network ESPN.

I mentioned Drake earlier whom by being bi-racial and Canadian is basically seen as a homosexual alien to many inner city American-Black people as the way he acts and conducts himself is completely foreign to them.

Some how they think that if these successful people whom look like them -- but act differently than them -- its somehow a miss-step on their part when they can't see its themselves whom need to change. They only truly embrace folks whom gain "success" while still keeping the coon-cartoon meme alive and going. Their god is Jay-z whom at 43 years old still tries to live his life as a 26-31 year old man. He has been in a mid-life crisis for 10 years now and has not truly embraced his success and older years taking on a paternal role in his craft like lets say a Nas has done.

Successful people more or less share the same style and conduct in the way they act. This is not some alien thing, or something that is not "black" or race dependant its simply a style you get when you reach a level of success.

Sports is the great avenue because these people coming up like Wilson, Jones, RGIII are all around great men whom are smart and had many options presented to them. They would of been successful in whatever they chose to do be it business, other sports, or an Army career in which RGIII was destined to do.

People like Jay-z whom are successful still try to cling onto the street meme of decades ago. Jay-Z has probably not rock a ounce of crack since 1985 but yet he dances around with baggy clothes still projecting this fake meme:



If anything Jay-Z can learn more from these young Black athletes then they can learn for them.

(05-13-2013 09:08 AM)Timoteo Wrote:  

I believe there is already an urban hockey program in NYC, but the sport requires a lot of money to play. Some sports just don't take in certain areas. I read a piece about Jones, mostly his dad describing how his kid ended up playing hockey. It was when Popeye was playing in Dallas, so he was an acquaintance of Dallas Stars players. His boys got interested in the sport, and he had the resources to give them what they needed to play. The pull to discredit blacks in hockey as not being black enough is a bit overblown. Just like the Williams Sisters, blacks that excel in non-traditional sports generally get support from black fans. It's actually white fans that hurl insults and invective at them. It's not the same phenomenon that you see in general society where a successful black student is shunned by other blacks.

A good friend of mine is the first cousin of George Laraque, who played many years in the NHL. He was voted the toughest, and one of the best fighters more than once by his peers. He dealt with some racism right in his own locker room. They are Haitian, but his family settled up in Canada. You'll find that kids play whatever sport is popular with their friends, or what they have access to. That's why Scott Gomez, who is of Mexican descent, ended up playing. His family settled in Canada (I'm guessing his dad moved the family up there to get work), so that's what he played. There have been a number of blacks that have been in the league at any given time (Jarome Iginla, recently traded from Calgary to Pittsburgh, is a top scorer and former MVP of the league. He's half-African), and others have been contributing players. Grant Fuhr was the goaltender for the great Gretzky Edmonton Oiler teams and is in the Hall of Fame. Ray Emery was in goal for the Ottawa Senators when they made it to the cup final, and is with Chicago now. Kevin Weekes had a long NHL career with several teams. Jones is unique in that he's the first #1 pick, but there have been other taken in the first round. I don't think it will bring more blacks as fans under the tent though. My brother watches hockey avidly, but I only watch casually, and usually only during the playoffs when the intensity level rises. The sport is still for the most inaccessible to American blacks, so just like with Tiger Woods, more people may watch casually and keep tabs, but not become avid fans. There's actually a book called "Black Ice" detailing the contributions of blacks that played hockey in Canada, and influenced what is now the NHL with their style of play: http://www.amazon.com/Black-Ice-History-...0965116867

This wiki page lists all of the black players in the league:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_black_NHL_players

The racism in hockey now a days has died down. I feel the timelines more-or-less follow the typical timelines of race relations in America, just maybe some years slower. It was a issue in years past, but no longer I feel. Now, especially in Canada, any kid whom is playing Junior A, or in a City will have one or more Black kids on their team. You start going into major Cities like Calgary, Vancouver, and the GTA and you will see Korean kids, Lebanese, Indian, etc. The NHL's biggest issue for sure is making the sport accessible as its costs have surged out of control to the point our appeasing Government is debating if they should put in place subsidies for equipment to ensure kids in Canada have access to the sport.

With Seth Jones I think the fact he is American has a lot to do with his hype. USA HOCKEY really needs a defining figure it can put up as a poster child for the next generation of the program going forward. Seth Jones fits this profile as he grew up in a large suburb, is not the typical profile of what a hockey player "looks like".

I believe there was a big issue on if he was going to play in the NCAA or the WHL. USAHockey tries hard to define its NCAA College system as a suitable junior development league when the Canadian CHL (WHL,OHL,QMJHL) is far superior. USA Hockey wanted him to play in North Dakota badly and their was a issue surrounding this, but Seth Jones of course chose to play where the best competition is -- but its no coincidence that at the very least Seth remained state-side switching from Evertt, Washington to Portland, Oregon.

To me the big difference now is that you are seeing Black excel in the sport as there have always been a good crop of consistent Black players whom had long careers. People like Iginla started the trend but now you are seeing it at a accelerated pace due to the generational shift that is happening now. For me growing up I always liked Anson carter and followed his career for a long time. I even thought of playing hockey as a child but was too poor to play and my parents were not fond of it. Rec Soccer was much cheaper as was baseball so I played those instead.

[Emancipator]

Some more black players

and

[scotian]

(05-13-2013 07:26 AM)kosko Wrote:  

In regards to hockey he will be great. Looking forward to seeing him in the memorial cup which I advice any body with any interest in his kid check out since it will have 4 of the top prospects playing in the championship tourny. I just wish he was a wing or something to beef up that scoring. PK Subban is an elite defencemen but he would be a superstar if he could score more.

Halifax Mooseheads are taking the Memorial cup this year!

[Stun]

1. It's a lot tougher for a defenseman to raise interest in the NHL than it would be for a forward. And even then, I regularly meet people who don't know who Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin is. I'd bet the average American sports fan who could name all starting 5 for the Miami Heat, could not name 5 NHL defensemen period.

2. PK Subban, Joel Ward and Wayne Simmonds are African-Canadian. Emerson Etem is American, but biracial. So is Seth Jones. So it's tough to imagine he'll be wildly embraced by the black community, just as President Obama isn't "black enough" for some people. At least no one will throw a banana at him.

3. He'll get a lot more press and following if he plays somewhere like NY, Boston, Chicago or Detroit. The wacky way things turn out in the NHL though, he'll probably get picked by Edmonton.

4. The LA Kings will repeat winning the Stanley Cup. Pittsburgh, NY, SJ, Chicago and especially Detroit fans can suck it.

5. GO KINGS!!!

[mistermister]

(05-13-2013 10:03 AM)kosko Wrote:  

Some how they think that if these successful people whom look like them -- but act differently than them -- its somehow a miss-step on their part when they can't see its themselves whom need to change. They only truly embrace folks whom gain "success" while still keeping the coon-cartoon meme alive and going. Their god is Jay-z whom at 43 years old still tries to live his life as a 26-31 year old man. He has been in a mid-life crisis for 10 years now and has not truly embraced his success and older years taking on a paternal role in his craft like lets say a Nas has done.

Successful people more or less share the same style and conduct in the way they act. This is not some alien thing, or something that is not "black" or race dependant its simply a style you get when you reach a level of success.

People like Jay-z whom are successful still try to cling onto the street meme of decades ago. Jay-Z has probably not rock a ounce of crack since 1985 but yet he dances around with baggy clothes still projecting this fake meme:

Kosko you're wilding out with this Jay-Z shade... No other African American has done more for hiphop culture and putting it on a global stage then that dude... for every picture of Jay in baggy jeans and a yankee cap. I could find 10 with him in a suit meeting with the likes of business luminaries, hollywood A-listers and the President of the U.S.A.

He sees an opportunity to build his brand with a young talent of Seth and it maybe it's a win-win. who in the fashion, entertainment, advertising industries wouldn't take a meeting with Jay-Z ?

all your other points are valid.

[Timoteo]

You still see Jay-Z out and about in casual gear, but he's also done the executive thing, and even in his lyrics has talked about dressing differently to reflect his changing status, and getting older. It's a bit much to find a pic of him in baggy jeans and accuse him of fronting. How he's dressing in that pic doesn't portray a drug slinger's uniform - it's simply how a generation dresses casually. You'll find him at other events suited down. I know plenty of successful black guys that dress a certain way for work, but get comfortable away from the job. It isn't a meme - it's just how they're comfortable. There's no statement being made. Russell Simmons has been successful and walked around the whole time in jeans and sneakers, because his success allowed him to do whatever he wanted. I'm sure he throws on a suit every once in a while, but he prefers dressing the way he's comfortable. The guys has gone from growing up in the projects and hustling, to becoming a recording artist/performer, to a music executive, to minority owner in a sports franchise, to now entering the arena of athlete representation, and along the way marrying and becoming a father. I don't see a crisis of any kind in there. And I'm sure he's taken each step as a way of getting in the room with other more successful men and learning from them. You don't make that progression without gathering knowledge that you can pass on.

I think you'll always have some that have a platform being critical of guys like Wilson and RGIII for their choices in mates, just like other famous black men have been subject to the same criticism. We also tend to use that to assume that a whole racial group feels the same. It's mostly black women that take issue, and the majority of the overall criticism is with regards to them supposedly not speaking out about issues that affect blacks. ONE individual at ESPN went there on RGIII, and he got fired. The whole network didn't take that position regarding him. The person in question actually told his colleagues in the production meetings, before they went live, what he was going to say during the segment. Some of that criticism was regarding RGIII's supposed politics also (he referred to people in DC that supposedly were around RGIII), which had no place on a sports network. It's pretty common in sports for black athletes to be married to white women, so there's no real rancor regarding that. Because there was a lot of attention on these two guys because of their play, people talk more about them, and the more talk that's involved, the more likely someone will say something stupid. It part of the 24/7 coverage phenomenon, and ESPN liking PERSONALITIES, as opposed to straight-up journalists (a dying breed in what passes for sports journalism now). They like guys that are going to say ridiculous things, and this one went way over the line.

As for the racism in hockey, it exists predominantly in the lower levels of the game, and mostly from fans - less from teammates. Guys are playing with and against friends and peers - guys they grew up with, and guys they've come up through the ranks with. Many years ago there was a guy that played wide receiver at Syracuse, and in the NFL with the Seahawks named Tommy Kane I believe. He was a top junior hockey player, but ultimately chose football because of the shit he faced playing junior hockey. I don't believe it's anywhere near that bad now, but there will always be folks not happy with your presence. As long as a guy's teammates have his back, it's all good. In years past, that wasn't always the case either.

[kosko]

(05-13-2013 03:26 PM)mistermister Wrote:  

(05-13-2013 10:03 AM)kosko Wrote:  

Some how they think that if these successful people whom look like them -- but act differently than them -- its somehow a miss-step on their part when they can't see its themselves whom need to change. They only truly embrace folks whom gain "success" while still keeping the coon-cartoon meme alive and going. Their god is Jay-z whom at 43 years old still tries to live his life as a 26-31 year old man. He has been in a mid-life crisis for 10 years now and has not truly embraced his success and older years taking on a paternal role in his craft like lets say a Nas has done.

Successful people more or less share the same style and conduct in the way they act. This is not some alien thing, or something that is not "black" or race dependant its simply a style you get when you reach a level of success.

People like Jay-z whom are successful still try to cling onto the street meme of decades ago. Jay-Z has probably not rock a ounce of crack since 1985 but yet he dances around with baggy clothes still projecting this fake meme:

Kosko you're wilding out with this Jay-Z shade... No other African American has done more for hiphop culture and putting it on a global stage then that dude... for every picture of Jay in baggy jeans and a yankee cap. I could find 10 with him in a suit meeting with the likes of business luminaries, hollywood A-listers and the President of the U.S.A.

He sees an opportunity to build his brand with a young talent of Seth and it maybe it's a win-win. who in the fashion, entertainment, advertising industries wouldn't take a meeting with Jay-Z ?

all your other points are valid.

I hope your joking.

I don't have a man crush on the guy like many others do. Jay-Z IMO has been in a comma for 10 years now. He has been half-assin' it for years and needs to be called out on it. The man is talented, but has been afraid to push any musical boundaries and has chose to stay comfy in comma of lines on crack sales and exclusive boats for the past 10 years.

You look at transcending artists and how they evolve and re-new their sounds. Jay-z has not done that. Your position at the top means you push the bar higher not just perch yourself on it and simply talk down to everybody else.

You seem him now in the position in which he needs new blood to keep him relevant because he has shown a inability to re-shape his sound -- Collabs with Kendrick Lamar and Drake show this.

People have been drinking this guys kool-aid for too long --Jay-z is not even in the top 10 for top hip-hop album sales:

Nas, Eminem,, Kanye West, Outkast have all outsold him. On a global scale 50 Cent and Eminem have had more impact. Outside of the USA Jay-z is hardly known. People like Kanye, 50 Cent, Eminem have a bigger following worldwide. It was Jay-z whom needed Kanye to do a global tour (his first real one) for Watch the Throne. Kanye can do a global tour any time he wants (he has done 4) but Jay-z can't.

Eminem has sold 40+ Million albums, Nas 50 million, Jay-z sits at around 20 million.

Jay-Z is the Warren Buffet of rap as he makes you think he is the most important guy in the room when others are ahead of him.

He gives an illusion of being bigger then he is. He owns .6% of the Nets while Jordan owns majority control (67%) of the Bobcats.

Jay-Z is like the Zyzz to Black Americans. You talk bad on him and a fire storm starts.

Dude is a troll strait up.

People hold him up simply because he has a lot of money -- But the man has very little capital, overall. His pockets are full of cash but what else does he bring? He is just a rich guy whom talks a lot...both him and his wife are attention whores.

Black-American urban culture idolizes cash. Cash is king. They don't care about capital and true wealth, just cash. Jay-z has the most cash so he is the best. That is Black-American urban logic. Even though others have performed better then him, have had more impact then him, they don't have more cash so they are not more important or influential.

[Galnuc69]

I don't know about anyone else here, but Obama is enough "change" for one lifetime for me.

I don't watch the NHL or play hockey amateur or professional, so I guess it really doesn't effect me( I like going to the occasional game cause of the fights on the ice and sometimes in the stands though). But I don't think one black player is going to change the culture surrounding hockey or bring in new viewing demographics. Hockey, like Golf, is culturally a White Man's sport. When Tiger Woods was the top player, you didn't see any blacks get into golf in large numbers. I can't imagine this will be much different.

[Timoteo]

I understand where you're coming from Kosko. You're looking at what he's done artistically. I'm more focused on what he's done in the realm of business. Looking at where he started to where he is now. I think most people know that he was a face of ownership, and if they didn't know how little a piece of the franchise he had before, they do now since it was widely publicized that he had to sell because he's become an agent (agents can't own). It's like when George W. Bush "owned" the Texas Rangers. He actually only had 2%, investing $606,302, of which $500,000 was a bank loan. He was the face of ownership because his name was Bush, in Texas. His association with the Nets was beneficial to both, and was a natural fit. Basketball is the ultimate urban/hip-hop game. He's a major presence in that world, so he helped tremendously with the marketing of the team. It moved from Jersey to Brooklyn, his home. His input in marketing was far more valuable than an old white guy's would have been in this instance (he was instrumental in the new uniform design). I'm actually not a major fan of his music (a song here, a song there), but I admire what he's done as a man. I think he's a bright guy, and each move he's made has been a stepping stone to the next. I forgot to even mention the clothing business, which he then cashed out I believe.

Other guys in the game, like Dre, have discussed how they know they can't be taken seriously in the hip-hop/rap game at age 40, because if you're maturing, you aren't concerned with the same things you were rapping about in your 20s and 30s. You have to move on to something else. You'll be laughed at on stage spitting that silly shit. Dre was always a great producer, so he already knew what he was moving on to. Others drifted into acting, which still allowed them to dabble in music (they'd get to contribute a song or two to the soundtrack). Jay saw himself moving and shaking on an executive/business level, so that's the track he's on.

[mistermister]

(05-13-2013 04:06 PM)kosko Wrote:  

People hold him up simply because he has a lot of money -- But the man has very little capital, overall. His pockets are full of cash but what else does he bring? He is just a rich guy whom talks a lot...both him and his wife are attention whores.

Black-American urban culture idolizes cash. Cash is king. They don't care about capital and true wealth, just cash. Jay-z has the most cash so he is the best. That is Black-American urban logic. Even though others have performed better then him, have had more impact then him, they don't have more cash so they are not more important or influential.

We hold him up because he's constantly reinventing himself in the business lane's he is choosing to pursue.
Record Label
Clothing Line
Shoe Line
40/40 Club
Brooklyn Nets Ownership
Sports Agent

I would agree musically he's not pushing the envelope but he's still incredibly relevant at the age of 43.

I'm curious as to how you define capital / cash. Jay-Z is estimated at a net worth of of $450M. (how's that cash in pocket) If you're defining capital as cultural/artistic capital that's a whole other conversation.

All I'm saying is good for him going after another business model and growing his brand and his net worth.

lol Akon is more relevant than Jay-Z outside the US. i'm talking about the business move here for a young Seth Jones. let's see what he does.

[Frontenac]

I think PK Subban has the potential to be one of the best players in the league. But he's got to learn to keep his mouth shut, play his game, and learn some respect. When he clocked that guy on Ottawa after he was restrained by the zebras, he lost a lot of respect with a lot of players and people who watch and understand the game. He's gotta cut that shit out. Otherwise, no one, not even his teammates, will respect him.

[rudebwoy]

(05-13-2013 04:18 PM)Galnuc69 Wrote:  

I don't know about anyone else here, but Obama is enough "change" for one lifetime for me.

I don't watch the NHL or play hockey amateur or professional, so I guess it really doesn't effect me( I like going to the occasional game cause of the fights on the ice and sometimes in the stands though). But I don't think one black player is going to change the culture surrounding hockey or bring in new viewing demographics. Hockey, like Golf, is culturally a White Man's sport. When Tiger Woods was the top player, you didn't see any blacks get into golf in large numbers. I can't imagine this will be much different.

Actually you are wrong there, I know alot of dudes that hit the courses once Tiger came on the scene. Just this past weekend someone was trying to convince me to pick up some clubs.

[Timoteo]

(05-13-2013 06:38 PM)rudebwoy Wrote:  

(05-13-2013 04:18 PM)Galnuc69 Wrote:  

I don't know about anyone else here, but Obama is enough "change" for one lifetime for me.

I don't watch the NHL or play hockey amateur or professional, so I guess it really doesn't effect me( I like going to the occasional game cause of the fights on the ice and sometimes in the stands though). But I don't think one black player is going to change the culture surrounding hockey or bring in new viewing demographics. Hockey, like Golf, is culturally a White Man's sport. When Tiger Woods was the top player, you didn't see any blacks get into golf in large numbers. I can't imagine this will be much different.

Actually you are wrong there, I know alot of dudes that hit the courses once Tiger came on the scene. Just this past weekend someone was trying to convince me to pick up some clubs.

More blacks with money/access/connections started taking up the game, yes. Professional athletes that might not have taken up the game started spending some leisure time on the course. Businessmen probably always have, but now younger cats with loot are thinking about it. As for young minorities taking it up as kids...probably not. There's no pipeline of kids coming up that will be golfing in high school, go on to college on scholarship, go to Q-School and hit to tour.

[scotian]

(05-13-2013 03:18 PM)Sugar Wrote:  

3. He'll get a lot more press and following if he plays somewhere like NY, Boston, Chicago or Detroit. The wacky way things turn out in the NHL though, he'll probably get picked by Edmonton.

That would suck for Seth Jones as Edmonton is one of the least desirable NHL teams to play on, not only do they generally suck as a team, but the city of Edmonton is basically a shit hole. I remember going to my first ever NHL game two years ago in Tampa and standing outside of the arena downtown and thinking to myself "this place is awesome", compared to the Rexall centre in Edmonton which is on 118 avenue, home to crack heads and native hookers.

I didn't even watch any NHL this year because I've been in Asia but those idiots piss me off anyway with their stupid strike, judging by all of my friends facebook statuses, the Leafs are still going, crazy!

[kosko]

(05-13-2013 04:53 PM)mistermister Wrote:  

(05-13-2013 04:06 PM)kosko Wrote:  

People hold him up simply because he has a lot of money -- But the man has very little capital, overall. His pockets are full of cash but what else does he bring? He is just a rich guy whom talks a lot...both him and his wife are attention whores.

Black-American urban culture idolizes cash. Cash is king. They don't care about capital and true wealth, just cash. Jay-z has the most cash so he is the best. That is Black-American urban logic. Even though others have performed better then him, have had more impact then him, they don't have more cash so they are not more important or influential.

We hold him up because he's constantly reinventing himself in the business lane's he is choosing to pursue.
Record Label
Clothing Line
Shoe Line
40/40 Club
Brooklyn Nets Ownership
Sports Agent

I would agree musically he's not pushing the envelope but he's still incredibly relevant at the age of 43.

I'm curious as to how you define capital / cash. Jay-Z is estimated at a net worth of of $450M. (how's that cash in pocket) If you're defining capital as cultural/artistic capital that's a whole other conversation.

All I'm saying is good for him going after another business model and growing his brand and his net worth.

lol Akon is more relevant than Jay-Z outside the US. i'm talking about the business move here for a young Seth Jones. let's see what he does.

Do a critical assessment of how well all of those are doing.

When was the last time you bought anything Rocawear?

He has to sell his .6% stake of the Nets which inflated his net-worth totals.

Look at the roster for Roc Nation right now.

He stole Jay Electornica from Diddy and then pulled a Diddy move and has shelved him. Killing all that hype the dude had a few years back we stay waiting for a album.

This is why I criticize him. He is all smoke and mirrors. He is a lacklustre bussinessman whom amassed a large chunk of his cash from selling out his business partner Damon Dash and selling of Roca-Fella. If you look at how his properties have performed since then it has been lackluster. His music has been lacklustre of late too. There is a lot of hot air surrounding him.

If you strip away his persona and just critically take at look at his stats and performance you see what I say the things I say.

[chyamor]

People in Toronto rioting yet?

[Emancipator]

(05-13-2013 09:09 PM)chyamor Wrote:  

People in Toronto rioting yet?

Toronto isn't Vancouver

There is a hockey thread for general discussion, this thread should be focused on Seth Jones, Black hockey players, and apparently Jay-Z (I agree with Kosko that Jay-Z is largely smoke and mirrors).

No way Seth Jones falls out of a top-3 pick, even if he falls to 3rd, Tampa with their non existent D will pick him up.

Although I wouldn't be surprised if he goes number 1 to Colorado, as he grew up in the city (although he was a Lidstrom and Wings fan) and the guy who just got promoted in Avs management, Joe Sakic, gave tips to Seth Jones and told Popeye to have his kids focus first on skating, thus leading to Seth Jones taking figure skating lessons for a year before jumping to hockey.