duncan228
02-17-2010, 12:18 AM
You Got Schooled: Unsanctioned All-Star finds (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/You_Got_Schooled_Unsanctioned_All-Star_finds.html)
By Chris Ferrell - Express-News commentary
Everything was bigger at last weekend's Texas-sized NBA All-Star Game in Arlington — the stadium, the crowd, and apparently the market for counterfeit event merchandise.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced that, along with local authorities in the Metroplex, they seized nearly $200,000 worth of bootleg shirts, jerseys, hats and souvenirs from various vendors. Apparently, there was more action going on in the Cowboys Stadium parking lot Saturday night during the dunk contest than there was on the court.
Fortunately, we had sources at the stadium — and at area hotels and flea markets — who were able to tip us off about some of the non-David Stern approved items that could be had.
Steve Nash Vancouver Games 2010 Parka
The jackets were originally designed for the Winter Olympics, but with warm weather and rain in Vancouver, they just weren't moving. Nash, who was in his native Canada for Friday's opening ceremony, saw a business opportunity and bought them up before his trip to snow-covered Arlington.
For an extra $10, some vendors were willing to throw in a Nash replica wig to complete the look.
Tim Duncan Slinky Crazy Bulging Eyes Glasses
The perfect novelty item for the Spurs fan in your life, or anyone who can't believe what they just saw. Great for kids who are being punished, employees who get reprimanded by a boss or husbands who are nagged by their wives — for no good reason.
Greg Oden Iron Man Poster
Rumor has it plans for a cross-promotion with the Robert Downey Jr. film franchise were scrapped after the Trail Blazers center went down with a season-ending knee injury, ensuring he would miss 164 of a possible 246 games over his first three seasons. Not exactly Cal Ripken-esque.
The Blazers' big man apparently took the photo himself with a cell phone while standing in front of a bathroom mirror. Luckily, he was wearing a costume this time.
Dwight Howard Superman T-shirt
The item that might have brought the whole operation down. Word on the street is that Shaquille O'Neal, still upset the young Magic center would dare usehis nickname, snitched to some of his law enforcement buddies after seeing a kid wearing one of these shirts at a nearby hotel.
Ricky Rubio Minnesota Timberwolves Jersey
A hot item in Minneapolis after last summer's draft, these jerseys have since wound up clothing people in third-world countries — along with Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl XLIV champs shirts and Philadelphia Phillies 2009 World Series winner hats.
Official NBA New Jersey Nets Gear
The items — ranging from jerseys to hats, posters and keychains — are believed to have been league-approved at one time. Once it became clear that the Nets were no longer a legitimate NBA franchise, the league washed its hands of the items, and vendors were forced to go underground.
By Chris Ferrell - Express-News commentary
Everything was bigger at last weekend's Texas-sized NBA All-Star Game in Arlington — the stadium, the crowd, and apparently the market for counterfeit event merchandise.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced that, along with local authorities in the Metroplex, they seized nearly $200,000 worth of bootleg shirts, jerseys, hats and souvenirs from various vendors. Apparently, there was more action going on in the Cowboys Stadium parking lot Saturday night during the dunk contest than there was on the court.
Fortunately, we had sources at the stadium — and at area hotels and flea markets — who were able to tip us off about some of the non-David Stern approved items that could be had.
Steve Nash Vancouver Games 2010 Parka
The jackets were originally designed for the Winter Olympics, but with warm weather and rain in Vancouver, they just weren't moving. Nash, who was in his native Canada for Friday's opening ceremony, saw a business opportunity and bought them up before his trip to snow-covered Arlington.
For an extra $10, some vendors were willing to throw in a Nash replica wig to complete the look.
Tim Duncan Slinky Crazy Bulging Eyes Glasses
The perfect novelty item for the Spurs fan in your life, or anyone who can't believe what they just saw. Great for kids who are being punished, employees who get reprimanded by a boss or husbands who are nagged by their wives — for no good reason.
Greg Oden Iron Man Poster
Rumor has it plans for a cross-promotion with the Robert Downey Jr. film franchise were scrapped after the Trail Blazers center went down with a season-ending knee injury, ensuring he would miss 164 of a possible 246 games over his first three seasons. Not exactly Cal Ripken-esque.
The Blazers' big man apparently took the photo himself with a cell phone while standing in front of a bathroom mirror. Luckily, he was wearing a costume this time.
Dwight Howard Superman T-shirt
The item that might have brought the whole operation down. Word on the street is that Shaquille O'Neal, still upset the young Magic center would dare usehis nickname, snitched to some of his law enforcement buddies after seeing a kid wearing one of these shirts at a nearby hotel.
Ricky Rubio Minnesota Timberwolves Jersey
A hot item in Minneapolis after last summer's draft, these jerseys have since wound up clothing people in third-world countries — along with Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl XLIV champs shirts and Philadelphia Phillies 2009 World Series winner hats.
Official NBA New Jersey Nets Gear
The items — ranging from jerseys to hats, posters and keychains — are believed to have been league-approved at one time. Once it became clear that the Nets were no longer a legitimate NBA franchise, the league washed its hands of the items, and vendors were forced to go underground.