Nets' ownership bullying citizens and other NBA notes

So it appears that Adidas, maker of NBA uniforms, is looking to end its contracts with American suppliers and ship the business to Asia. American Classic Outfitters, based in New York, has been making the jerseys for 40 years. Honestly, the move doesn’t surprise me one bit. Capitalism … the bottom line always takes precedence and even though about 100 jobs will be lost with a potential relocation --- labor is just plain cheaper overseas. I used to work for a leading textile company headquartered in the southeast with over 100 years of doing all company business domestically, but when competition started moving jobs overseas and subsequently increasing profit margins --- my old company quickly followed suit slashing jobs at an alarming rate. And for the nosey Vines, I left on my own terms. But back to Adidas, from a business standpoint the move makes sense and should be a reminder to all that corporations don’t care about individuals. http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~r/UsatodaycomNba-TopStories/~3/154ucu...

I grew up in New Jersey so everyone is used to seeing the Nets (0-13 this year) struggle. The amazing part is how much the team was taken for granted during its success this decade. The team made multiple runs to the NBA Finals, boasted two Hall of Fame candidates (Jason Kidd and Vince Carter) and still there hasn’t been a major uproar over the team moving to Brooklyn.

Staying on the Nets’ eventual transition to Brooklyn subject, New York’s top court ruled that the state could use eminent domain to force businesses and current residents to sell their properties --- paving the way for a new arena and redevelopment. The ruling (6-1) was almost unanimous and the court of appeals agreed with Empire State Development Corporation’s finding that the area was “blighted.” Here is what the lone wolf judge, Robert Smith said in dissent “the court majority was much too deferential to the self-serving determination by the ESDC that petitioners live in a 'blighted' area, and are accordingly subject to having their homes seized and turned over to a private developer."

So I guess even when you own something on this planet … you never “truly” own it. Obviously, I don’t agree with property ownership rights being swept away by a judge’s gavel, mostly in part to growing up in an area most would consider “blighted.” Matter of fact, my family still owns land in that area --- so if a billionaire investor decides that Paterson, NJ is the lucky recipient of a bubbling new multiplex --- guess my family is just SOL if we wanted to keep it in the family --- LIFE

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/basketball/story/1349490.html

Oh my, this is the production we expected out of Greg Oden when he was selected with the first overall pick --- over Kevin Durant. The big man tied his career-high with 24 points in a victory over the Chicago Bulls. I think it’s safe to say, at this point, that he’s never going to be an offensive force like Hakeem, Ewing, D. Robinson or Shaq --- but if he can ever get to the 16 point, 13 rebound and 3 blocks per game range the Blazers would be satisfied --- thoroughly satisfied.

Lang
Lang.Greene@gmail.com
http://twitter.com/hoopsvine



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