We're only four days into the NBA season and, unfortunately, I'm sick of it already. Have I watched a game yet? Nope. Do I know who had big games in the season openers? Nope. Do I know how well my future husband Ray Allen did in his first game and how good he looked while playing? I can imagine, but I won't get into that. So how can this NBA fan who has been loyal since the days of Blue Edwards and Eric Murdock (aka the days when the Bucks REALLY sucked) want to give up her love of the game? Easy-she heard Latrell Sprewell open his mouth.
Now I'm sure any NBA fan has fond memories of the great player-coach relationship Sprewell developed with his coach in 1997 at Golden State. He loved coach P.J. Carlesimo so much he decided to choke him-how sweet.
Now Sprewell is at Minnesota and after some comments he made earlier this week, I'm surprised coach Flip Saunders has not given Sprewell a taste of his own medicine. He made it known he is unhappy with the $14.6 million he makes every year. He was quoted saying he needs a pay increase because \[He's] got a family to feed."" I don't know what he's feeding his family, but with $14.6 million he could probably feed a starving Third World country or two.
Of course, Sprewell is now trying to cover his butt by saying ""He never cried poverty."" Well you're still the one looking like a fool because you are demanding much more undeserved money. He is 34 going on 35, which is old considering the recent entrance of high schoolers into the league, and has had a decent career but seems to be more of a cancer on teams than anything. Yes, he did play a big part in Minnesota's success last season, but somehow people keep a negative view of you when you choke your coach. Weird.
Though Sprewell was the first one this year to complain about wanting more money, I'm sure we'll hear more as the year progresses. Honestly, why do these players deserve to make millions? They're putting a ball through a net, maybe dribbling a little, and, oh yeah, forgetting to play defense for the most part. Granted it does take skill to master the sport and some can do it better than others, but these players are entertainers, not life savers.
I've unfortunately been sucked into this entertainment, but with players in the league like Sprewell, who knows how much longer I'll stick around. So to ANY NBA player that demands more money (yes, even you Ray Allen) I just have two words: Grow up.
Betsy is a sophomore planning to major in journalism. She can be reached for comment at eagolomski@wisc.edu.
