v6n68-nba.html

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1999

NBA greediness

While watching the Super Bowl, I saw something I have never seen before. No, it wasn't a self-absorbed Dalmatian, though I have never seen that either, but a professional sports organization express sincere thanks to its fans.

Troy Fresch

Unfortunately, it was the National Football League when it should have been the National Basketball League.

On the eve of the Lakers' opening game - in what will end up being a 50 game season - I feel cheated, underappreciated, and bitter. The National Basketball Players Association is asking for a number of changes in the system when the only thing the players need is perspective.

Issue No. 1: Changing the "Larry Bird rule" to a definite salary cap.

The "Larry Bird rule" allows teams to re-sign their own veteran free agents regardless of salary cap restraints. The salary cap in the NBA for the 1997-98 season was $26.9 million per team, but the Chicago Bulls, because of the "Bird" rule, were able to pay Michael Jordan $33.14 million. Granted, Jordan's talent will never be matched, and neither should his salary. Do these players actually believe they give back to the community enough to warrant $126 million over six years.

Issue No. 2: Owners want to increase the length of the

contracts for first-round draft picks. Owners pay a lot of money for rookies, often more than they are worth, only to watch their investment walk out the door three years later. I once met a guy who had an opportunity to double his salary if he moved to the Midwest. He turned the job down because he refused to abandon the New York Yankees. The players need to be reminded of the loyalty in the stands and learn from it as well.

Issue No. 3: The owners want to add marijuana to the list of banned substances. Not only do the players need a perspective on this issue, they need a reality check. And just because I ride the legalization train does not mean I get high before, during, or after work. Gentlemen, if you want to smoke pot do so, but to ask that your employer agree with your habit is embarrassing.

This strike, along with every other strike in professional sports, has made me realize professional athletes love money a lot more than they love the game.