Winning clearly resonates, but how about a signature celebration or dance move? How much does that help a college or NBA player's personal marketing mix?
You be the judge.
Remember Dwight Howard's Superman stunt? When Soulja Boy's "Crank That" was an iTunes and YouTube fixture, Howard pulled out his cape to execute a high-flying dunk that earned him the 2008 NBA Dunk Contest title (Superman that...).
There's no question D.H. can crank up his vertical when necessary, but his cranking is suspect. Leave the T.I. concerts alone, big fella.
There's no question D.H. can crank up his vertical when necessary, but his cranking is suspect. Leave the T.I. concerts alone, big fella.
Sheed’s Carlton Dance was also a questionable act.
Who can forget the Mutumbo finger wag or the D. Miles and Q. Rich head bump after blocking a shot? Greg Paulus gets some love for his floor slap, and LeBron's chalk throw has recently achieved modern day ubiquity like M.J.'s tongue wag.
Really Ron? Your bowling swag? There was no shortage of hoopla in L.A. this past off-season with Artest and Odom sharing the Hollywood sideshow spotlight. Odom recently married reality star Khloe Kardashian, and was quoted in September for saying:“It just so happens I’m good looking and I have a personality which I don’t mind sharing. And along with success comes this other side. And I’m blessed, first of all to be with an organization like this, where you can show that other side, in a town like L.A., where people love personality.”
There’s a serious case of swag flu within the Lakers locker room this year. Most people see them as the favorites to repeat; while the West is strong as always, the Eastern Conference is as potent as it’s been in many years. I’m sensing a power shift.
Here are a few dance moves that have gotten fans out of their seats and saluting their favorite players over the past few years…
Shaq broke it down with MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew winners, the Jabbawockeez, at last year’s All-Star game.
Cavaliers rookie Danny Green danced to “Jump Around” by House of Pain before the tip-off of every UNC home game.
LeBron impressed the audience by dancing to Bobby Brown’s “My Prerogative” at the 2007 ESPYs.
This is my favorite: Joakim Noah does what I like to call, “The Seizure,” during UF's 2007 SEC Championship.
What can we expect this year?
John Wall introduced himself to UK fans by doing a cool little dance to Dorrough Music’s catchy new song, “Ice Cream Paint Job.” This Kentucky fan is already sold.
I’m giving the Jon Thompson "Preseason Swag of the Year Award" to John Wall. Notice Wall throws up the diamond sign that rapper Jay-Z made popular through his music. The last person to make that popular in college basketball was wannabe rapper, Rashad McCants during his days at UNC.
I’m giving the Jon Thompson "Preseason Swag of the Year Award" to John Wall. Notice Wall throws up the diamond sign that rapper Jay-Z made popular through his music. The last person to make that popular in college basketball was wannabe rapper, Rashad McCants during his days at UNC.
What's your favorite signature move?
