With all that Money, don't you want to win?

The "Basketball for Thought" is a commentary by Kris Gardner.

July 1997

The love of money has completely changed the landscape of professional sports. Today, more and more athletes are concerned with getting $1 more than the highest paid player at his / her position. The question I ask is: "What has happened to the love of winning?"

Why do basketball players, in particular, feel the need to get paid millions and millions of dollars? It strikes me ironic that a lot of today's basketball players grew up poor; so, they should remember what it was like to not have certain things as a kid. However, as soon as they put their name on the dotted line of their first NBA contract; those memories evaporate just as soon as the ink dries on the contract.

I have no problem with basketball players getting paid. They have the ability to perform at the highest level and should be compensated accordingly. However, I do have a problem with players complaining they are underpaid at $3 M a year. Give me a break!! Hell, the league minimum for the '97 - '98 season will be about $272,000! Somehow, I think I could manage to "slide by" on that mere pittance of a salary. Clearly, NBA players live and work in another world than everyone else. Once they get paid huge amounts of money, they lose all touch with reality. Personally, I can't see a difference in making $3M or $9M or $36M. The more you make, the more you pay in taxes.

Reportedly, Minnesota's Kevin Garnett, who can be a free agent next summer, has let it be known he is looking to make $22 - $25M a year for a seven - year contract in order to stay with the Timberwolves. I'll be the first to admit that when negotiating you should ask for the moon and be happy to land in the stars; but $25 M a year! What about the rest of the team?! Tom Gugliotta can become a free agent next summer also. What is he going to ask for?

When Garnett's pal and teammate, Stephon Marbury, becomes a free agent what will he ask for? Combined those three guys could make about $75 M a year buy the year 2000. What team can afford to pay all that money? Doesn't Garnett or his agent(s) realize he'll need help from his teammates to win? If Kevin sucks up all the money, Minnesota can't afford to pay for quality teammates. No quality help, no rings. No rings, who cares how much money you get? I don't.

Miami's Voshon Lenard, Utah's Antoine Carr and Shandon Anderson turned down better offers from other clubs to re - sign with their present teams. All stated they were happy on their current teams and believed they had a good chance of winning a championship. Winning a championship -- what a novel goal.

Last summer, Utah's John Stockton re - signed with Utah for 3 years at a total of $15 M even though he most definitely would have received higher offers from other clubs. Stockton was happy where he was and realized the amount he signed for was still excellent money. Stockton and the Jazz reached the NBA Finals last month.

Orlando's Nick Anderson wants to sign one final contract and ultimately retire as a member of the Magic. Unfortunately, Nick is looking for a six - year deal worth $30M. The Magic, conversely,are offering a 4 - year deal worth $10 M. Two and a half million dollars per season for a guy who is coming off the worst season his career. Come on Nick. The Magic want to have the flexibility to be able improve the club in the future in hopes of winning a championship. Gee, there's that word again -- championship. Hmm. Isn't that why you play -- to win?

Next, why do people tab new players as the "next so and so"? Grant Hill was supposed to be the next Michael Jordan. Robert Horry, who still can't dribble, was the next Scottie Pippen. Steve Nash -- the next John Stockton. On and on it goes. Soon the next "Grant Hill" will be playing in the league. Give me a break. Let players be themselves. There will never be another Jordan, Stockton, Pippen, or Hill nor will there be another Bird, Magic, Isiah, or Dr. J. Instead of trying to make a player fit into a media made label, let him play and make his own name -- good or bad.

Finally, the regular season does have importance.  Let me think, how many teams have won titles as the 8th seed in the playoffs?  I know the answer: zero.