NBA players are just like us -- people too
Sep. 9, 2005

By Tony Mejia





The misconception that NBA players are greedy and self-absorbed is being shattered emphatically this week. Tragedy often brings out the best in people, and as society rallies around those affected by Hurricane Katrina, the pro basketball world is among the many shining bright.


Stephon Marbury speaks to youngsters at the 10th Annual Basketball Classic for Boys and Girls. (Getty Images)
It's easy to lose sight of athletes as human beings, especially when so many are portrayed in a negative light. They make mistakes, but unlike most of us, they do so in the public eye. Even the slightest indiscretion becomes news; that's the burden they're faced with because of their high profiles.

It's when you see perceived brash malcontent Stephon Marbury break down and sob while talking about the destruction in the Gulf Coast that we're reminded these athletes share the same feelings as everyone else. It was a surreal sight to see a grown man freely exhibit so much emotion, particularly when many see him as surly and guarded.

"First of all, it's touching when you think of the little kids crying," he said, barely audible. "I just think about my kids, about my son. You want something so bad. You see little babies floating in the river. It's amazing. It's amazing these people are still just going. You complain about the little things. But we're just so fortunate to breathe and walk knowing all of this is going on.

"The money you donate is nothing. You're supposed to do that. We just have to take our cares to another level, just the way we treat people. It's a tough situation to see this every day. You see this, you know it's going on, and people don't care about it."

Marbury repeatedly shook his bowed head and muttered almost incoherently, "It's not about the money, it's not even the money." This is the same individual who reportedly asked to be dealt by Minnesota because he was so miffed at being grossly underpaid compared to star teammate Kevin Garnett. Whether that was actually the reason is moot, because that's all so long ago -- something that happened that you're not proud of. Who doesn't have one or two of those episodes in their past?

Marbury couldn't even finish his portion of the press conference put on by the players union, which pledged to donate at least $2.5 million dollars to the relief efforts. That doesn't include the $500,000 to $1 million Marbury pledged himself.

It doesn't include the proceeds being raised as part of Sunday's charity all-star game, carried on TNT at 11 p.m. Kobe Bryant, another who has seen his share of strife and put himself in position to be portrayed in a less-than-positive light, leads a who's who of talent in the event at Houston's Toyota Center. Garnett, Marbury, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Steve Francis, Chauncey Billups, Paul Pierce, Antonio McDyess, Amare Stoudemire, Alonzo Mourning, Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest are also expected to play.

This isn't a publicity stunt or an opportunity to get in anyone's good graces. Sure, it might change your opinion of some of the members involved, certainly improving their image, but that's not the goal. It's to bond together as one.

"The game is a show of our support and solidarity for those affected by this natural disaster," said TNT's Kenny Smith, the event's organizer. "As professional athletes we've been very privileged, and this is one way we can help take care of our own."

Players are also scheduled to hand out over $1 million dollars of supplies to shelters across the city before the game. James bought $120,000 dollars worth of merchandise in a two-hour shopping spree at a wholesale warehouse, filling up four tractor-trailers with food, diapers and school supplies.

That's the difference between reality and perception. It's easy to chastise athletes for being overpaid when people who play more constructive roles in society struggle to get by. But it's necessary to recognize that they do give back, do feel, do care.