Well, once again, it's clear that for most players in the NBA, pursuing a Championship is a secondary consideration, the first being money. Players who are already multi-multi-millionaires turn down chances to be with contenders, and choose to go with crappy teams that offer a little more money.
We've seen this over the years but it just seems like it's getting worse. There's probably no cure, and maybe it's good because it spreads talent throughout the league. That's the idea of the salary cap, right?
But as a Spurs fan, it just galls me year after year to see these players pass on a proven Champion like the Spurs, to go play with the Clippers or the Warriors or whoever. You would think that the chance of getting a ring would work in the Spurs' favor, but it doesn't. It always seems to pale in comparison to that extra 2 or 3 million dollars.
In my ideal world, the league would try to rectify the situation by adding some incentive for players to want to win a Championship. You know, something like prize money? That's what boxers and tennis players compete for. Imagine if there was some incentive to winning a Championship besides just a ring and "bragging rights"? I think then you'd see players wanting to be on better teams like the Spurs, and possibly playing harder.
But I'm biased on this because I'm a Spurs fan. For the rest of league, this system is probably a good thing.
I want Stephen Jackson
He made the right decision, a championship isn't worth $20 mils. If some other company offer me twice the salary, I will be jumping over the ship in no time.
Keep it real, homies.
Yep. In Maggette's case, the money was to good to turn down.
I love my damn Spurs, but they also value the dollar over the player, like the player values the dollar over the team.They chose not to pay Scola,Jackson,and others I'm sure I can't even think of.They choose not to take chances for the sake of flexability.I'm sure they have a couple of solid backup scenarios.
There is no guarantee he ever wins a championship with the spurs.
As a Spurs fan, I hear ya. Yet we all know it doesn't work that way in sports and it certainly doesn't work that way in real life. If faced with the choice between accepting more money to go with an inferior, average-size, mid-performing company, rather that take substantially less money from a proven Fortune 500 company that was perennially tops in its industry, I would guess that all of us would go with the $$$. I doubt there are any of us who would decide otherwise.Well, once again, it's clear that for most players in the NBA, pursuing a Championship is a secondary consideration, the first being money. Players who are already multi-multi-millionaires turn down chances to be with contenders, and choose to go with crappy teams that offer a little more money.
We've seen this over the years but it just seems like it's getting worse. There's probably no cure, and maybe it's good because it spreads talent throughout the league. That's the idea of the salary cap, right?
But as a Spurs fan, it just galls me year after year to see these players pass on a proven Champion like the Spurs, to go play with the Clippers or the Warriors or whoever. You would think that the chance of getting a ring would work in the Spurs' favor, but it doesn't. It always seems to pale in comparison to that extra 2 or 3 million dollars.
In my ideal world, the league would try to rectify the situation by adding some incentive for players to want to win a Championship. You know, something like prize money? That's what boxers and tennis players compete for. Imagine if there was some incentive to winning a Championship besides just a ring and "bragging rights"? I think then you'd see players wanting to be on better teams like the Spurs, and possibly playing harder.
But I'm biased on this because I'm a Spurs fan. For the rest of league, this system is probably a good thing.
Unfortunately it's no different for the players. After all, they have only a finite window to earn the most money they can. Once their NBA playing days are over, so are the big salaries. Furthermore, it's usually the NBA superstars that are concerned, sometimes obsessed, with their winning a championship in order to preserve or enhance their respective NBA legacies. They can afford to do so because they're already making the maximum dollars allowed.
Your typical, run-of-the-mill, NBA player simply doesn't have that luxury and ultimately doesn't care that much about winning a le. It's a sad fact, but true. For the average NBA player, it's far more important to secure the salary and privledged lifestyle for as long as they can.
As long as there are owners and GMs willing overvalue talent by carelessly throwing money around and giving maximum contracts to average players, we'll continued to see this trend.
Championships are fine, but they do not provide financial security of say a big contract.
I wasn't talking just about Maggette. I was talking about most free agents. And I never said it was a guarantee that Maggette would win a Championship with the Spurs, but you really think he'll have anywhere as good a shot with the Warriors? Really?
Nowadays, players can throw a fit and demand trades. It's almost to the point where players can tell GM's where they want to go.
So why not have both?
Yep. I guess that's what separates professional sports from amateur sports. Winning ISN'T as important to professionals. Seems kind of oxymoronic, but it's true. At least in team sports.
In individual professional sports (golf, tennis, boxing), winning is the most important thing, because that's where the money is.
Maggette's situation is really an interesting one and it illustrates your point beautifully. Here's an above average player, making a slightly above-average salary. Yet he's grown weary of his current organization and the losing culture. What does he do? He shops himself and finds his market value to be very good - not max money - but very good. When faced with joining an established, proven, championship contender, where he knows he will win and may even set himself up for a bigger contract in 2-3 years, he chose to take more money from a proven losing franchise. The end result: he got paid, yet he's still in the same losing situation. And there's no sign that will change anytime soon.
As I've stated, I don't begrudge Maggette at all for his decision. As long as he can live with his decision, more power to him. I just don't want to here nothing about him being tired of losing ever again.
That's where the Spurs are really and truly a throwback organization.
Winning matters, but winning the right way is paramount. The components of fiscal responsibility, teamwork, and high character (on and off the court) and characteristics that are no longer "in vogue" today.
And the media will maybe begin to talk about this but then completely ignore the Spurs. Parker, Manu, Tim could all be making lots more than they are but who gives a . It's the Spurs.
That's life. At least we know the truth.
Think about it....that's they way it is in life.
It seems like a small sacrifice to us because we aren't making that kind of money.
But if it you think of it this way: If a company that is an industry leader comes to me and offers me $60,000 a year to work for them then that sounds good right. It would be nice working for the industry leader and being able to claim you are with the top dog.
Now, right before you take the job at the top dog, a small start company in the same industry offers you a job for $100,000 a year. This company will probably never be a top dog company, but what the do you care? You would be making an extra $40,000 a year.
Sure, it would be nice working for the big dog if all things were equal, but when it comes down to it, the almighty dollar is where it's at.
They play for money, everything else is secondary. Are you going to go to a job that pays you less? Most likely not, unless you're kidding yourself. Some people enjoy winning, but most like money. No matter what a team says or their fans say, a championship is not guaranteed. Every single day of the week I'd choose to go to the Bucks or whatever crappy team you don't like for 50 million than go to whatever team is "going to win the championship" for 32 million.
I know this is true. But isn't it weird that professional athletes, who are paid to perform and win, DON'T have winning as their main goal? It just seems so illogical. But hey....
Most of the kids come up from nothing and their dream is make big money. Look at Lebron wanting to the be the richest man evAR! If that doesn't tell you a professional basketball player's mentality, I don't know what else would. Those who accept less to win are on the downside of a career.
The coin makes the world modern and keeps it turning. These players are ALL correct to chase the almighty dollar. They are already playing the game they love, they are in the world's elite league. What's the matter with you guys who criticize these players for seeking heftier paydays!? If the owners keep throwing out cash and the fans keep accepting high ticket and merchandise costs, more power to the players.
I feel that I have strong morals, principles and try to set a good example for humanity in my daily actions. And I would not expect to be judged if my professional career were NBA baller and I opted to earn $2 million more playing for the Grizzlies over the Spurs. I would take that extra pay in a heartbeat.
The winners here are Elton Brand and Corey Maggette. Props to them. They are already in the profession they love, and they accepted tendered compensation for their services. Great decision by both.
Don't like it? Then hope for another lockout or another league with lower revenue and strict salary caps.
i dont have a problem with maggette. im happy for him that a team was stupid enough to overpay him. its also not fair to say money over championships, theres no guarantee the warriors wont turn it around in 3 years, they do have a nice young team. unless maggette "promised" that he would come over and gave us a verbal agreement, i see no problems with his behavior.
Aye, aye, tell 'em that it's Human Nature.
I'd also take the heftier salary merely for the fact that at any one point, you could have a career ending injury. That 18-million you threw out window would be looking mighty good while you pawn your ring.
The better question should be, why in does Golden State offer someone like Corey Maggette that much cash...
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
