During the NBA playoffs, Commissioner David Stern decided to make professional basketball more family-friendly. To accomplish that feat, he decided on further marketing his two chosen superstars, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.

Nike, Inc. jumped at the opportunity. Soon thereafter, we had commercial spots featuring Kobe and LeBron puppets. One showed Lebron doing his pre-game “baby powder shower” routine over and over again. The other had Kobe “trying to find his three NBA championship rings” while emphasizing something that Lebron doesn’t have.

The irony was that the 3-time champion, Kobe moved into Lebron’s house. Maybe if he pawned Shaquille O’Neal’s gift, he’d have money for his own crib!

These commercial, though funny, sparked outrage with two contending franchises. The Denver Nuggets and Orlando Magic used Nike’s marketing campaign as bulletin board material for their playoff runs. Uncrowned champions have always met defeat from inspired, motivated and disrespected upstarts. Kobe’s Lakers struggled to a 2-2 tie. The Lebron’s Cavaliers reached their own cusp of doom being behind 3-1 to the Magic. The NBA has always been a “superstar driven” league. But, superstars had to have role players playing well during their championship runs.

So far, the upstarts from Mile High and Disneyland remained the only ones laughing at NBA and Nike. Jim Henson probably rolled in his grave after watching ESPN re-run these 60 minute cameos of hand puppets wearing brand name clothing and designer glasses.