Chicago Bulls dynasty favorite memories

[baseline bum]

It was Larry Johnson really followed by Glenn Robsinson that started the precedent of highly paid athletes.

No it wasn't. It was Ewing. Ewing's huge $18.7 million deal started in 95-96, when Grandmama was paid $4.3 million and Robinson $3.7 million.

[ChrisRichards]

No it wasn't. It was Ewing. Ewing's huge $18.7 million deal started in 95-96, when Grandmama was paid $4.3 million and Robinson $3.7 million.

Those were rookie contracts. Veterans started an uproar when NBA owners were paying larger amount of contracts to rookies than established vets.

[baseline bum]

Yet, none of those was anywhere near the huge e Ewing's deal introduced. In 94-95, the only deal approaching Ewing's 95-96 deal was Magic Johnson's $14.3 million, but I consider that an aberration, as it was more an enormous gift to him for a career's work back when HIV was still considered a death sentence. It was certainly a non-market contract, as he didn't even play on the team.

The real market max salaries (in order) were:
David Robinson: $7.3 million
James Worthy: $7.2 million
AC Green: $6.5 million
Detlef Schrempf: $5.0 million
Shaquille O'Neal: $4.8 million

The very next year that max level jumped from $7.3 million to $18.7 million with Ewing, a e of more than 250%. That number clearly shows Ewing ushered in the era of the megadeal, as Garnett's 99 deal, Shaq's 97 deal, Jordan's 97 and 98 deals, and so on used that one as the benchmark.