For Love or Money?

Written by Ricky on February 03, 2005

It's a story as old as time itself. Well okay, that's a blatant lie. But it seems like it's happened a lot in the last 10 years or so: A guy busts his ass, has a career year, signs a huge contract, and then disappears. Stops caring. Takes the money and runs. You hear fans and journalists complain about it all the time. And as a fan, I understand the frustration. But you know what? I can relate.

I mean look, it's easy to sit your fat, lazy ass on the couch and bitch about these guys. But let's be realistic. I get paid by the hour to do my job, and I have trouble getting out of bed in the morning. Give me a few mil? Guaranteed? Shit. You'd be lucky if I showed up at all. I'd make Derrick Coleman look like Pete Rose. The hustling part, I mean. I'd probably gamble a shitload too, though. But I don't know. Would gambling be as much fun if you were set for life financially? I think we need to find out. Someone give me ten or twenty million dollars and I'll write a report. But, that’s not what we’re talking about today. Back to the subject at hand: athletes who mail it in.

Getting Blounted
Going into last year, Mark Blount was just a big guy who took up space on the court; he didn't do anything too special. Even the first half of last season, he was just decent. Then, suddenly, he went off. Throughout the second half, Blount was one of the top centers in the league. He played like a man possessed. He worked his ass off and put up the numbers to prove it. As a result of this inspired play, he was rewarded generously to the tune of 6 years, $41 mil. In other words, he giggedy-got the big ducks, like Daddy Warbucks.

So what happened next? Yeah, you know what happened. I can't really vouch for it myself. Living in New York, I've only seen a couple C's games this year, but everything I read and hear is that Blount just isn't the same guy he was at the end of last year. And the numbers bear it out. His season averages are a lot closer to what they were the first half of last season than the second. And, like I said, as a Celtics fan this pisses me off. But as a fellow lazy bastard, I feel a sense of solidarity with the big guy. I really do.

Empathy for the devil
I mean, let's think about this. Put yourself in the athlete's shoes. You’ve busted your ass for a few months – I mean really gone all out in the weight room, in the gym, in the film room. You’re tired, and the season is over. Suddenly you’re extremely rich. You have more money than you’ll ever realistically need. What would you do? Get up early every day, work out and hone your skills, or buy the best drugs and alcohol you can find, call your boys, get fucked up, go find some groupies . . . I mean video games to play? I mean, if you’re on the Patriots for example, have a great shot to win a championship, and everyone on the team would hate you if you slacked, then fine. But if you’re on a mediocre team with little chance to win it all and a bunch of egos . . . well . . . I know what I’d be doing. Just be glad I’m not on your favorite team.

-- Written by Ricky on February 03, 2005