This is a huge week for sports; with the Super Bowl looming on Sunday there have been amazing highlights from the NBA. As he entered the league, I already told everyone Blake Griffin is my new favorite player (Tim Duncan was my favorite before and will always show love) because he is so ferocious on the court. Yet, I also read a peace on his relationship and respect for his brother who hasn't made the NBA yet and plays ball abroad.
This kid has the heart in more ways than one. This week he had a dunk that many are already calling the best ever (I'm not going that far), but it came just a day after Lebron yoked the ball while jumping over another player.
While records tend to stand for years, even decades in sports, the highlight reel makes the "best" plays an ever-evolving discussion. In the world outside of sports, the same thing happens. In the world of economics, the biggest tend to stay big for long stretches, but the highlight reel shifts around day to day. Yesterday it was strong economic data out of China and Germany that had our stock market standing in applause. In fact, what we're seeing from China and Germany is like watching Blake and LeBron throw it down on a nightly basis. Both countries posted strong manufacturing data that came in above consensus.
Of course, those aren't the only two nations making the economic highlight reel these days. Yesterday we learned Russia's GDP grew 4.3% last year, greater than expected, while imports increased a staggering 21.5%. The nation has made an amazing rebound during this global economic slump as agriculture output surged 16.1%, construction 4.8%, and retail sales 7.2%. While those old European nations not named Germany continue to shoot economic bricks, those BRIC nations are jumping like crazy. Running and gunning for what the west has had forever, but taken for granted, there are a lot of hungry nations whose futures look like slam dunks.
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Countries with largest GDP and hot highlight Reels
Nobody likes to be posterized with some massive dunk, but it's the lasting legacy of many players from Corzine, victimized by Darryl Dawkins, to Perkins who seems to be on a few posters as the guy watching in vain. We don't have to be that sad sack player. Admittedly, I had to find a way to work in those incredible dunks but think the analogy works.
In the meantime, the best dunk in history came courtesy of Dr. J on Michael Cooper of the Lakers in 1983 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzq7e86m_W4
The Ultimate Stock Slam Dunk
This Facebook obsession is really amazing. After making it official after the close, there was so much interest that the SEC website crashed for demand to download offering material. The company is a slam dunk that goes beyond human comprehension. It's not the earnings or revenues but the 800 million users that could be twisted, morphed, and manipulated into the ultimate cash machine. Or, it could be the biggest flop in history. But, that wouldn't be acknowledged for a long time, and until then, this company will get free passes and hyperbole will not properly describe reactions to legitimate good news.
(I remember the golden era of Google when the company would announce intentions to try things and the street reacted as if success was inevitable. That hasn't been the case, but the stock is still remarkable even if it's in neutral. Sort of like Ray Allen of the Celtics popping three-pointers but no longer able to make the highlight reel with a testing move in the lane).
Mark Zuckerberg will be a household name even in homes without computers. He is very young and could be the symbol of capitalism but seems to be straddling that line that wants to endorse the collectivist notion that we all owe success to the sidewalks and traffic lights. Of course the collectivism argument is harder since none of his 800 million plus users is getting in on the Facebook IPO unless they are deep-pocketed investors with accounts at evil Wall Street firms. Nonetheless, this could be a seminal moment if Zuckenberg took the initiative. He could sing praises for capitalism, perhaps unleash a much needed wave of embrace among the twenty-something set.
Socialism v Capitalism
Pew Research has just released a fascinating survey on our attitudes about socialism and capitalism. The good news is we are generally repulsed by the word unless we're 29 and younger or Black or Hispanic. This is what 2012 is all about and capitalism needs...
...and this is where we need young heroes to step up and sing the praise while they cash the checks. Mark Zuckerberg is worth more than all the players in the NBA – ever ... combined! He must feel great even if he doesn't care about the money, but the things it can do for mankind. Right now the stock market has found a way to rally on subpar or mediocre news, but there has to be a bona-fide cheerleader for the idea of pulling one's self by the bootstraps. It's wonderful to have an idea or push an idea and turn it into something magnificent. And I'm not talking about a $100.0 billion company, but the local bodega where the owner keeps it spotless and beams with pride when customers approach the counter with a carton of milk.
By the way, many are wondering if officially becoming a billionaire will change Mark Zuckerberg. He serves two constituents now, the young I-hate-money-and-profits crowd, along with investors that want the company to succeed so they can have an easier retirement.
I think he is an ideologue but also loves power which might change him more than the actual cash.
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