The Game That Counts

It's been a while since I have last written which means life has been great and I have been busy with work and other stuff. And now I've got some time to blog and get a beer at the same time.. LIFE IS AWESOME.

I have been thinking about what to write and a story on ESPN caught my eye and gave me the inspiration. It was about John Wall signing his five year 80 million contract to stay with the Washington Wizards. And while he says that he hopes to win a championship with the Wizards before he retires, I wonder how much of that is actually real and if it really matters to him at all. Let's face it, the Wizards have been irrelevant for a long time (Yes, I do remember they played in the playoffs against Lebron's Cavs) and because of the trend of super teams in the league and other circumstances, I think they will remain as such for an even longer period of time.

There were quite a few articles this year on the NBA's worst contracts ever. Majority of them were done by a team who has money to spend to get enough hype to sell some tickets and players who generally take the money and could care less about how they play or if they even win at all.  These players get paid a fortune (we're talking about 50-100 millions) for lazing, get into legal trouble and eventually passing their bad habits on to their younger team mates. (I keep thinking about Gilbert Arenas as the villain.. Sorry bro~)

On the other end of the spectrum, we have stars (like Ray Allen) who take a fifty percent salary pay cut so they can win another championship. Clearly, winning means more to them than dollars and cents. I am sure your reaction to this is "Well they're rich ain't he?" But aren't they all rich? Even though I am not a fan of stars teaming up to take a shortcut to success, I do appreciate those who sacrifice to win titles.

But don't get me wrong. I am old school. I am not entirely for the oldies jumping teams to chase rings. I love the players like Stockton and Miller who stuck it out with the teams who made them. And no matter how much money somebody else offers them, they won't go anywhere. I do wish for more of these players. But that's really hard to find in today's game.

And after the class of '03 retires ('03 is big because they are dominating, but they are that same pussy class that looks to form teams together), we will still be watching the game. How will the next generation of stars write the next chapter?

"After a certain point, money is meaningless. It ceases to be the goal. The game is what counts."
Aristotle Onassis 

Okay, maybe I am biased. But here're my rules. If you are a player that could define and represent your generation like Kobe and Lebron, you should want to play against the other best players to prove that you are the best and not join forces with them. Give us fans something to be excited and be proud of! However, if you are a fading superstar or a role-player and you are chasing that elusive ring.. I will be more receptive...

Gilbert Arenas in Drew League

As a Gilbert Arenas fan, even a short highlight reel like this gets my blood pumping!

Seriously I can't tell if he is 100% but I do know that the friendship between him and Young is a great deal and I hope I can find more videos of them playing together, or better seeing him back in the NBA.

But my dream/hope was crushed and burnt when SLAM did an interview with him earlier this year about the possibility of him coming back to NBA.

SLAM: So do you have long-term plans in China? What do you see for yourself in the future here?

GA: 32 games a year. Maximum 36 minutes. That’s all I need at this point in my career. So as long as China teams want me, I’ll be here.

SLAM: Do you have any plans or hopes to tryout with the NBA again?

GA: Nah! [Shakes head vehemently] Because after this season I can enjoy my family. You know my kids are getting older. Being in the NBA, you don’t really get to enjoy your family life because you’re always on the road, you’re always gone. So, no. After this season will be the first time I’ll get to be with my kids for a long period of time.

Damn it Gilbert. I hope some teams pick him up but I guess it's hard considering how young many young guards we get each year. I guess it's easier for a big man to come back but I wouldn't say the same for a point guard where a team needs his speed and stamina a lot more. 

But one thing doesnt change for Glibert is that a joker will always be a joker. See how he tape up number 1 to be 0 again from his no.10 jersey?