6 replies to this topic

[ReCover]

I've been watching basketball since I was a little kid, and it has only recently occurred to me that players in their contract year, seem to have a little bit more motivation to attack and fill the stat sheet or you know, have a winning mentality....call me naive, if you will, call me jaded now.....if that's what you see fit......but I used to think that you know people always gave 100%.  But much to my chagrin, a pattern keeps emerging.  Players in their contract year most of the times, ball out, get that proverbial fat contract.....and poof, ride the bench or worse.....look disconnected to the game altogether.  What gives?

Self preservation perhaps?  Greed?  Laziness? Sloth?

It sends out a wrong message....at least to me.  But what do I know.

Kenyon Martin a la his Nets days.....
Amare Stoudemire a la his Suns days.....

are just a few of many to come to mind.

Anyone else care to chime it. Be my guest.

[binhdvu83]

Just human nature..period

Few people out there are willing to work hard all the time, whether they are paid 50k, 100k or 10 mil.

[Now_I_Know]

Amare was a beast before Melo was traded to the Knicks...and then, the injuries held him back. not fair to say he doesnt give 100%.

I'd say Ersan Ilyasova would be a better example..just like John Salmons, Charlie V, Tim Thomas, Erick Dampier, Bobby Simmons, Mo Peterson, who all played their heart out for a contract.

[tazdingo]

Yea its very annoying for franchises to put a huge amount of money on a player during their contract years, and the moment they get paid, they play like they've got a perpetual hangover and just coast for the rest of their career.

However, for fantasy purposes, scouting for players on their contract years can be a huge difference maker whether you win or lose. Guys like Jennings, Tyreke and any other big named player who didnt get a contract extension this year will be playing hard to show they deserve the big bucks.

[Ax05]

Ersan isnt a better example....Skiles is in his head and doesnt let him break out of his slump. Skiles needs to be fired for Ersan to get off the list

[jayreyd]

Now_I_Know, on 29 November 2012 - 08:42 PM, said:

Amare was a beast before Melo was traded to the Knicks...and then, the injuries held him back. not fair to say he doesnt give 100%.

I'd say Ersan Ilyasova would be a better example..just like John Salmons, Charlie V, Tim Thomas, Erick Dampier, Bobby Simmons, Mo Peterson, who all played their heart out for a contract.

Hey don't talk about our beloved mo Pete like that.

[Now_I_Know]

Ax05, on 30 November 2012 - 01:11 AM, said:

Ersan isnt a better example....Skiles is in his head and doesnt let him break out of his slump. Skiles needs to be fired for Ersan to get off the list

lol...skiles is not the reason he's shooting 34% from the field 21% from three and 46% from the line in 23 minutes of play.