Posted by fishmike:

If Houston said trade me or one of our guys pulled a Vince Carter I would boo my little old heart out, but all Houston has ever done is played hard.

Posted by Panos:

Let's just put this all into perspective.

Four years ago, IF when Layden and Houston sat down at the
table and Layden told him that he would over pay him
by $30M (which people realized even at that time,
even WITHOUT the benefit of hindsight) but that he
would have to be willing to accept that fans would
boo him on occassion if it was perceived that he was
not worth the money he was making, do you think
Houston would have signed on the dotted line?

Honestly, I think so. This is a business, and he's
making his money, and being paid handsomely to shoulder
those boos. You want proof? He could always go to
management and renegotiate his contract and stop the
booing right in its tracks. But he doesn't, nor should
he. I wouldn't. But don't feel sorry for him, either.

[Edited by - panos on 10/18/2004 13:26:07]

Posted by Panos:


You want proof? He could always go to
management and renegotiate his contract and stop the
booing right in its tracks. But he doesn't, nor should
he. I wouldn't. But don't feel sorry for him, either.

Posted by Panos:

By the way, I'm not saying that the man deserves to be booed.
And I agree that it's not really something I would do myself.
Just stating the reality of the situation.

Appreciate reading that. Didn't see it before my last post.

Posted by Marv:

Posted by Panos:

Posted by Marv:

Posted by Panos:

Let's just put this all into perspective.

Four years ago, IF when Layden and Houston sat down at the
table and Layden told him that he would over pay him
by $30M (which people realized even at that time,
even WITHOUT the benefit of hindsight) but that he
would have to be willing to accept that fans would
boo him on occassion if it was perceived that he was
not worth the money he was making, do you think
Houston would have signed on the dotted line?

Honestly, I think so. This is a business, and he's
making his money, and being paid handsomely to shoulder
those boos. You want proof? He could always go to
management and renegotiate his contract and stop the
booing right in its tracks. But he doesn't, nor should
he. I wouldn't. But don't feel sorry for him, either.

[Edited by - panos on 10/18/2004 13:26:07]

I think your commnets are reasonable but they're not really on point. Sure he's being paid hansdomely to shoulder those boos, but does he deserve them? All he's done is work his butt off to be able to play for this team and has had nothing but postive comoments to make about his excitement for the new squad and new players. He also gave great props to Stephon when he was named co-cap. He played his heart out last year when he was in terrible physical shape. He should be appreciated and encouraged by the fans.

All I'm saying is that its a business, and he shouldn't care
if people are booing or not. Basketball is an entertainment
business, and when people aren't being amused, they express
it. If he didn't want to be criticised, he could have taken
a different career path, OR accepted a contract that would not
have made everyone expect such high production from him.

Everyone dreams about being a star, being rich and famous.
Well guess what? The crowd is fickle.



[Edited by - panos on 10/18/2004 13:40:27]

i think you're leaving out the whole human element to sports. People relate to these guys as a lot more than just "entertainment" and our reactions to them aren't only based on amusement. Otherwise, youi wouldn't get the kind of strong emotions expressed here for guys like Oakley, Starks, Ewing. look how caught up everyone got with the Mariano Rivera story. As usual, Joe Torre handled it with grace, class and wisdom. People love this man, and most have never even met him. Why? Because sports is not just entertainment to us, it's a bigger human endeavor and we relate to players with a lot more than just "entertainment" in mind. I'll give you another example - I'm a Yankee fan, not a Mets man, but I was extremely touched by Piazza and Valentine after 9/11. They both won a ton of respect and admiration from me for what they did in this city. So I really do disagree with your point. I think if you boo Houston you're sending a very strong personal message. If that's your intention, fine, but I don't think it can be written off as "Basketball is an entertainment business, and when people aren't being amused, they express it," and I think it's very far-fetched to sugest that "its a business, and he shouldn't care if people are booing or not." Just my feelings, nothing personal, Panos - enjoy going back and forth with you.

Posted by Bizzy211:

Without writing more than 3 sentences. How many of yall would or would not have taken that max contract that Allan Houston recieved based on principle?

Posted by Bizzy211:

Without writing more than 3 sentences. How many of yall would or would not have taken that max contract that Allan Houston recieved based on principle?