So . . . this intro bit here is just to set up my point . . . everyone talks about pro athletes being fierce competitors and loving the game and being obsessed with winning.
Well, in the NBA, there's been recent speculation that three of the top players in the league -- all of whom, for NBA reasons, could easily change teams soon -- could (not necessarily would) all simply take pay cuts and join the same team. The players are Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and LeBron James. It almost wouldn't matter which team they joined, as almost any team with all three would become an instant championship contender for about five years (maybe more) or until at least one of them left.
And none of them have won a title as yet. Now, the Celtics recently managed a similar coup, adding two major players to a team that had one superstar and a young supporting cast. They won the championship that same year. The Lakers tried something similar. It almost never happens, but it's an obvious strategy.
So why doesn't it happen? Mostly because the players won't take a pay cut.
According to Sports Illustrated, Wade recently said, of the proposal, "I got two kids, man. I got to think of them." And I'm not dumping on Wade -- this is the constant mantra of NBA players. And other pro athletes, too. This is a guy who makes $16 million a year.
WTF? How much money do his kids need? These guys talk up how obsessed they are with winning. The irony is that the endorsement deals (which are often much more lucrative than the salaries) flood in when you win the title. Agents have been pushing players into these huge salaries playing for teams that can only afford one huge salary and, as a result, can't assemble a good enough team to win.
I say come up with another excuse. The I Have To Feed My Family thing makes you look stupid and like you can't handle your money. I'd rather hear these guys just say they want every dollar they can get.
And when you wash out or don't even make the playoffs? No whining. It's your choice, man.
