GustavBahler wrote:

Welpee wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:West has already given up millions to chase a ring, probably giving up more to go to GS. I admire his willingness to give up on that much money, so close to retiring, to be a champion.

Because he left so much loot on the table last year chasing a ring he had to double down again this year since he rolled craps with the Spurs. If he gets a ring but only plays a few minutes a game and barely in the playoffs (a la Mitch Richmond) can you really be that proud of a ring? Especially since you had to chase after it?

West wouldn't get signed to one contender after another if they didnt believe he could contribute. Bench players have an important role in winning championships. If West played his role in winning a ring, then absolutely he should be proud. More proud than looking for the biggest payday.

GustavBahler wrote:

Welpee wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

Welpee wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:West has already given up millions to chase a ring, probably giving up more to go to GS. I admire his willingness to give up on that much money, so close to retiring, to be a champion.

Because he left so much loot on the table last year chasing a ring he had to double down again this year since he rolled craps with the Spurs. If he gets a ring but only plays a few minutes a game and barely in the playoffs (a la Mitch Richmond) can you really be that proud of a ring? Especially since you had to chase after it?

West wouldn't get signed to one contender after another if they didnt believe he could contribute. Bench players have an important role in winning championships. If West played his role in winning a ring, then absolutely he should be proud. More proud than looking for the biggest payday.

I don't know. It's not like he has always been a scrub in the NBA. West is a former all-star. Do people really consider Mitch Richmond as an NBA champion because he sat on the bench for one of the Laker's titles? If West is a regular contributor and he wins a ring, fine. But if he's not a major contributor and he gets a ring for sitting on the right bench in the right season. I don't know. I guess it'll mean a lot to him. I will most likely forget he was on the team.

You hit the nail on the head. It means a lot to him. More than money. West gets to maybe be part of something that no one can take away. Something he can tell his kids and grandkids, he was part of, played a role in. Got to play with some future HOFers in their primes.

tj23 wrote:This is the way the league is now. It's on Silver and the NBA to step in and make changes. I've always said that players aren't rewarded enough to stay loyal. The fifth year on the contract isn't enough. The original team should be able to offer 50% more money per year or some ridiculous number or things will never change.

I dont like it, takes the fun out of the off-season player movement speculation.

A better way is automatic indexation of all existing player salaries to the cap increase. That way teams would be hard pressed to have 3 max players, of whom one or two may be getting the significantly lower "old cap" max. Plus, increase the max level as a % of the cap. People getting ridiculous money is actually good for parity in the league.

But if guys decide to take discounts to form a "superteam", it's their call.

dk7th wrote:one easy fix is getting rid of guaranteed money and the salary cap-- the two concepts are in a death embrace for the league.

The league is doing great. A long lockout over this would do more harm than good.