I Play, Coach Stays. He Goes, I Go

New rule: NBA players that are paid “max” salaries aren’t allowed to requests trades because the team is performing poorly.

The NBA has a salary cap that basically allows NBA franchises to pay two players exceptionally large salaries, while the rest receive “paltry” pay in the low millions per year. As such, teams and owners that pay a player the maximum salary afforded under the rules of the league’s collective bargaining agreement are staking the success of their franchise on those two players to act as leaders and to make the team successful.

In the past year, there has arisen an alarmingly annoying habit of these max players demanding to be traded because the team is performing poorly. Guess what Baron Davis? You’re the reason the team is terrible!

Tracy McGrady, he of two league scoring titles and max pay, demanded and received a trade because the team he was supposedly leading finished in last place in the entire league. Vince Carter, he of only 180 games played out of a possible 250 in the past three years, demanded a trade because the team couldn’t make the playoffs. Baron Davis, he of a lifetime 41 percent shooting percentage and a barely 2-to-1 assist to turnover ratio, demanded a trade because the team wasn’t active in the free agent market. Guess what Einstein, you’re the reason the team doesn’t have any money to spend on free agents!

NBA players need to become responsible for their actions. If you’re making max money, then you ARE the franchise. Instead of complaining, figure out a way to make the players around you better. Teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies have proved that hard work and team play trumps individual talent. It is after all a team sport.

Headline Quote Movie of Origin: Hoosiers (two in a row for Hoosiers!)
Character: Jimmy Chitwood
Setting: Upon a rough start to the season, a town meeting is called to debate whether or not to fire newly appointed coach Normal Dale. As the votes are being tallied, reclusive playground legend Jimmy Chitwood steps to the podium and delivers a real tearjerker of a speech that consists of a total of eight words… “I play, coach stays. He goes, I go.” A re-vote takes place, coach stays and the rest is history my friends.
The quote is relevant to this story how?: Jimmy Chitwood put the team on his back and despite a roughshod supporting cast of characters, took his team where no small town team had ever been. Although not a vocal leader, he led with actions. No one -- I repeat NO ONE – came off screens better than Jimmy Chitwood, yet he still gave up the rock to his teammates. Jimmy even passed the ball to Ollie the runt. The Steve Francis’ and Baron Davis’ of the world could learn a lesson or two from Jimmy.

Contact El Duderino at jaipf@hotmail.com.