

Ethan Strauss: sports and the end of the culture wars
Jul 15, 2025
Ethan Strauss, a writer known for his sharp insights on sports and culture, joins the conversation to discuss the intersection of athletics and societal issues. He reflects on basketball talent disparities across regions, including the challenges of the NBA's attempts to engage Chinese fans. The dialogue also dives into the complexities of diversity, equity, and inclusion in sports hiring practices, contrasting corporate pressures with meritocracy. Strauss shares candid takes on the impact of these dynamics on professional sports, balancing cultural commentary with humor.
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NBA's Changing Player Demographics
- The NBA is now disproportionately upper middle class black players, not just inner city players.
- Resource access, rule changes favoring shooting, and genetics shape this demographic shift.
NHL's Teen Power Players
- The NHL engages teenagers directly to shape its league's future.
- This novel approach reflects the league's fear of cultural irrelevance.
NBA's International Ambitions vs Reality
- The NBA's global push faltered partly due to political incidents and cultural disconnects.
- China's vast population has produced surprisingly few top NBA players compared to small European nations.