Marketing Shaq vs Kobe, Round 6

The 2006 NBA All-Star Game balloting is done and the starting rosters are set. Since the fans vote for the starters, it’s pretty much a popularity contest. Yao Ming was the overall top vote getter, followed by Kobe Bryant, LeBron, then Shaq.

Kobe had 2,271,631 votes to 2,192,542 for Shaq. But, looking over the highest vote getters in NBA history, Shaq is second with 2,488,089 in 2005. Kobe’s votes this year places him 5th. Also, this is Shaq’s 13th consecutive All-Star team, a rare feat only surpassed by Jerry West and Karl Malone.

Who has more marketing power as determined by NBA All-Star voting? Shaq or Kobe? It’s too close to call, and I’ll take the easy way out by calling Round 6 a draw. (Kobe 3, Shaq 2)

Round 1, Team Jersey Sales (Shaq)
Round 2, Kicks (Kobe)
Round 3a, Team Attendance (Shaq)
Round 4, Build a Bear Team Jersey (Kobe)
Round 5, The Makeup (Kobe)

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