Marketing Shaq vs Kobe, Round 7
Since the Honolulu Advertiser ran an article about the likeable factor in the workplace, let’s rearrange the Shaq vs Kobe plan and discuss likeability right now.
Who is more likeable, Shaq or Kobe? Let’s look at historical events and the origin of nicknames.
Kobe is still haunted by the 2003 sexual assault charges. Guilty or not, Kobe’s image and character is still on the rebound. While a gifted basketball player, his actions earned him the #5 spot on GQ’s Ten Most Hated Athletes list. TNT commentator, Charles Barkley, called Kobe a “natural-born killer” on the court for his intensity while Kobe is also known as “The Mamba,” one of the world’s deadliest snakes. Despite other efforts to come up with popular nicknames for Kobe, nothing else really stuck.
Shaq has made it known that he’s interested in joining law enforcement after his NBA career. Sheriff Shaq has gone to training and even serves on a special victims’ unit protecting children from Internet crimes. The “Diesel,” “The Big Aristotle,” “Superman,” and “Shaq Attack” may be self-appointed nicknames, but they show the different facets of Shaq. The NBA All-Star Games are showcases for Shaq, not necessarily for his play on the court but for his play off the court. Do you remember his shoe cell phone Nelly used in the 2005 ASG? During the 2006 ASG, Shaq busted out a remote control car built out of his Dunkman shoe.
So we got Kobe, a hated athlete who’s a natural-born killer and compared to a deadly snake, or we got Shaq, a law enforcing citizen with a sense of humor. Who do you like? I like Shaq. (Kobe 4, Shaq 3)
Round 1, Team Jersey Sales (Shaq)
Round 2, Kicks (Kobe)
Round 3, Team Attendance, 3a Shaq, 3b Kobe
Round 4, Build a Bear Team Jersey (Kobe)
Round 5, The Makeup (Kobe)
Round 6, All-Star Game Balloting (draw)
