Le Basketbawl

The NBA Players’ Association met with the Toronto Raptors recently to discuss financial prudence among players and during that meeting cited a statistic that scared the heck out of most of the team. It was said that 60% of NBA players go broke after only 5 years of retirement! Are you kidding me?!? That statistic however is said to be an educated estimate and some players actually have a hard time believing it. The statistic could be used as a scare tactic, but it is definitely something these players should be paying attention to.

“Sixty percent is a ballpark. But we’ve seen a lot of guys who’ve really come into hard times five years after they leave the league,” said Roy Hinson, the former NBA forward who’s a representative for the players’ association. “The problems are, for a lot of guys, they have a lot of cars, they have multiple homes, and they’re taking care of their parents. They’re taking care of a whole host of issues. And the checks aren’t coming in anymore.”

“Sometimes you can stop the bleeding, and other times you can’t stop the bleeding,” said Hinson, who added that many players associate with “too many ‘yes’ people.”

We’ve all heard the stories of NBA players owning 15 cars and 5 vacation homes. The sad part is most of these players lack educations and support outside of their posses and families. Most of these players could use some legal guidance as well as financial guidance but seem at times to not be so willing. The players’ association has continually proposed a financial firm that offers players free 2nd opinions on their financials, but getting these players to act has been a challenge.

Back in October, Jason Caffey, who made an estimated $29 million during his eight-year NBA career, was in bankruptcy court seeking protection from his creditors, among them the seven women with whom he fathered eight children.

Shaquille O’Neal of the Miami Heat was in the news recently with a court document representing his annual income as well as his annual and monthly spending. The “Diesel” pays $156,000 a month just in rent and mortgages on the various properties he owns or leases and another $1500 just for his cable TV bills! Of course Shaq is on another level than most other NBA players with the simple fact that he pulls in $20 million a year in salary but this still shows you a great example of the kind of money players are capable of spending.

Remember former Chicago Bull, 6 time NBA Champion, Michael Jordan running mate and top 50 player of all-time Scottie Pippen? Just 2 years removed from retirement, Pippen was back in the news looking to make an NBA comeback to a team that was a title contender. NBA teams laughed at a Pippen return which was later rumored to be based on his poor financial standing. The rise and fall of Pippen was so drastic that he was seen overseas playing 2 games for Finnish powerhouse, Helsinki ToPo to make a little cash.

Besides the fact that players fork out all of this dough for houses, cars and cable bills you still can’t forget that many of them have multiple children from multiple women. This is yet another expense that must be accounted for and child support is one of those bills that doesn’t go away for at least 18 years. Again, you can see how 5 years removed from an NBA career with 2-3 child support payments a month and you could run out of millions pretty damn fast.

Jason Kapono of the Toronto Raptors expressed his thoughts after the players’ association presented their materials. “Going above and beyond isn’t worth it. I don’t want to be a part of that 60% that’s in trouble five years down the road. It’s a short career and I’m blessed to be earning a great salary playing basketball. But if it ended, my contract only takes me to age 30. Life expectancy is 80-plus. So I’ve got another 50 years. Do I really need to buy another car?”

For the second time this season a home crowd has cost its team a win against Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Why would you do this to your precious home team? They work their butt off for you and give you a huge lead, and then you go and tick the man off!

The first home crowd loss came when the Cavs traveled to Toronto and two young women sitting courtside decided to get into Mr. James’ ear. At that point the Raptors were entertaining a solid 13 point lead heading into the 4th quarter and looked to be wrapping up a home win against a strugging Cleveland team; well Lebron had other plans. James rattled off 24 points in the 4th and made sure the two young lady hecklers knew what was happening and it was because of them. They continued to jaw at each other as the game wound down until LJ got in the final words and that being a victory.

The latest home crowd loss came tonight from the fans of the Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers led this game by as many as 14 in the second half and then the 4th quarter came and a confident fan decided to jabber at Lebron. Sure enough, James nailed 3 consecutive 3-pointers to tie the game and then finished the Blazers off with a driving left hand reverse lay up. Lebron racked up 17 points in the final period and once again had the last laugh.

When are these home crowds going to realize this is bad, bad idea!? You might possibly be talking trash to the future greatest player we have ever seen! He just ran over Kobe and the Lakers in L.A. and now you, Trail Blazers fans, thought your 14 point cushion was enough to take down King James? You may be having a fantastic and surprising season, but please don’t get so confident that your mind turns into googly mode and decides that Lebron James can’t beat you!

Let this be a lesson home crowd fans to never trash on the King!

The NBA has most recently announced the division known as NBA China to conduct all of the league’s business in Greater China. However, in its goal to become the ultimate global sport, the National Basketball Association has begun its development in a new country, India.

“India and China are two emerging markets in Asia . We have already set our foot in China , and India is our present target. It is a long term association that we are looking forward, to build the game of basketball in the country,” NBA vice-president Mark Aronson said Monday night.

The NBA will start by setting up camps including an initial camp taking place in New Delhi from July 3-6 for 50 young basketball players from all over Asia. The camp is named ‘Basketball Without Borders’ and is the 4th installment, with the first 3 taking place in China.

“During the camp we will have NBA players and coaches as mentors. We will also lay emphasis on health, HIV AIDS and similar issues. We are also exploring opportunities for girls as well,” said Brooks Meek, director of international basketball operations of NBA.

This is an exciting time to be an NBA fan especially with the talent we are starting to accept from the rest of the world. The European players have made a major impact over the last 5-7 years and we are now seeing China’s best performing at a high level. The Euroleague has become a fixture for the up-and-coming stars from overseas and has helped develop some American born players into NBA caliber players.

Although Indian fans closely follow NBA action on television, national teams have struggled at the international level due to a lack of technical and financial support. India is fast growing as a market for staging major sports events thanks to its booming economy.

There will be two other such camps this year in Moscow, Russia from June 4 to 7 and in Johannesburg, South Africa, from September 3 to 7.

Tonight turned out to be a nightmare for the ailing San Antonio Spurs. Earlier in the day, coach Greg Popovich decided to bench his All-Star point guard Tony Parker indefinitely while he deals with bone spurs in his left foot. Then the team found its way up I-5 to Seattle to take on a team that had not won in 14 straight games. Well that streak came to an end tonight!

The Seattle Supersonics found a way to win tonight against the reigning NBA Champs. Kevin Durant had his first solid game in quite some time including a late basket to seal the deal for his young Sonics. Seattle desperately needed a win like this to try and salvage some of their season.

The Spurs on the other hand are looking bad in all the wrong places. Parker takes a seat for what could be weeks to come leaving the Spurs with an aging Duncan and a busted up Ginobili. Without one of the big 3 this season the Spurs are just 9-9 and have looked horrible at times.

San Antonio began its season at 17-3 and has gone just 11-13 since. The Spurs are 0-2 at the beginning of their annual 9 game road trip in which the AT&T Center gets overrun with stock and rodeo festivities. This could prove to be the turning point in their season and should be the indicator as to what seed they will find come playoff time.

Are we seeing an end to the Spurs run? Are they aging too fast while the rest of the NBA continues to get younger?

Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs has found himself some bone spurs! He’s a Spur with spurs…OK bad joke. His left heal seems to be the issue and was initially not a major worry for Parker and his team, but things have changed.

Does this mean the Spurs are in on the Damon Stoudamire sweepstakes now? My guess is going to be “YES!” Stoudamire has gone through a contractual buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies and is expected to be courted by several teams, now including the Spurs. Boston showed as an early front runner but have slipped down the pole with the Suns, Raptors and now Spurs joining the race.

Stoudamire is supposed to contact Greg Popovich on Tuesday and we’ll should help to determine which way this thing swings. The Spurs could easily use Stoudamire skills although I’m not sure he is quite the fit they may be looking for. Jacque Vaughn will step in as starting point guard for the time being but is obviously not the presence on the court each night that Parker is.

Stoudamire would provide some scoring and a veteran poise, but do the reigning NBA Champions really need a player with the selfishness and past of a Mighty Mouse? Should make for an interesting week or so in the NBA; we’ll see which team is really THAT desperate.

The time has come gents! Super Bowl XLII Sunday approaches and that means your spectacular party should be on the mind as well as those timeless drinking games. Of course this year we have the New England Patriots vs. the New York Giants which is a fantastic match-up in itself on the field, but off the field it will create some amazing Super Bowl drinking games!

Chug your beer…

1. Every time the camera finds its way onto the Manning Family. I doubt you’ll make it through the first half with this one!

2. Every time an announcer makes reference to Gisele Bundchen!

3. Every time Vince Lombardi’s name is brought up.

4. Every time Bill Parcells is brought up.

5. Every time you hear a player is giving it “110%“!

6. Every time Tom Brady is referenced as the “MVP.”

7. Every time your buddy says “that commercial sucked.”

8. Every time you see Peyton Manning in a commercial. Good Luck!

9. Every time you wish Bob Costas was announcing the game.

10. Every time you are happy that Bryant Gumbel is NOT announcing the game.

11. Every time Eli throws an interception.

12. Every time you hear the word “Dynasty.”

13. Every time “Spygate” is mentioned.

14. Every time a new dot com company is unveiled in a commercial.

15. Every time Eli frowns and mopes by looking at the ground.

16. Every time Brett Favre is mentioned, and this possibly being his last season.

17. Every time you see a commercial for another worthless sitcom.

18. Every time a team goes 3 and out or fails to get a first down.

19. Every time Randy Moss is noted as now being a hard worker or mature.

20. Every time “American Idol” is mentioned.

21. Every time the Daytona 500 gets a plug.

22. Every time you pee after “breaking the seal.”

23. Every time a friend yells out “that was a horrible call!“

24. Every time the Miami Dolphins or Don Shula or champagne are mentioned.

25. Every time a player says “I’m going to DisneyLand!“

26. Every time anyone mentions the new “Spygate” featuring the Rams.
That should be enough to get you through the game or at least through the first quarter! And of course, depending on the level of alcoholic you are, you may need to adjust the amounts of each rule.

And I apologize for the football blog on a basketball blog, but the Super Bowl tends to effect everyone! Enjoy…

Hi Eli!

Another Sunday down and another amazing day of hoops! Check out the results:

• The Suns take down those poor little Baby Bulls. Hinrich even managed 31 points tonight; still not enough. 88-77 Phoenix.

• A KG-less Boston team gets dropped at the buzzer by H-E-D-O Turkoglu of all players! Boston just lost 5 of its last 10? Uh oh. 96-93 Orlando.

• Lebron just told the Lakers who he thinks the MVP should be, himself. Is it just me or can you see Kobe aging a little? A lot of miles on those legs. 98-95 Cavaliers.

• Caron Butler hands the Bucks a cool 40 points and the Wizards still manage to lose! Not saying they need Agent Zero back yet, but losses like this shouldn’t be happening. 105-102 Milwaukee in OT.

• You think Brandon Roy wanted those votes for an All-Star bid? Well added him to their ballots today. Erasing a 19 point deficit, the Blazers roll! 94-93 Portland.

• Dirk plays like a former MVP, and the Nuggets surely needed Melo. 90-85 Dallas.

• Al Jefferson is REAL good. Career high good today. And the Nets are pathetic. Minnesota has won 3 of 4 and New Jersey just made it 9 losses in a row. 98-95 Timberwolves.

• The Utah Jazz are on fire at the right time, and the Rockets are really looking banged up. Yao out today and they lose. 97-89 Utah.

• The Warriors beat the Knicks and are looking forward to Chris Webber rejoining the team. 106-104 Golden State.

• Seattle is close to falling behind the T-Wolvesfor the worst record in the NBA. Well they lost another to the lowly Kings tonight. 103-101 Sacramento.