[font=Tahoma, Arial, Verdana][size=+2]HoopsHype.com Columns[/size][/font]
[font=Tahoma, Arial, Verdana]Bad timing[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]by Eddie Johnson / October 6, 2004[/font][/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]After watching several fellow All-Stars – such as Shaquille O'Neal, Tracy McGrady and Kenyon Martin – change teams this summer, Vince Carter and Baron Davis decided to let it be known that they would welcome a change of address as well. Their timing could not have been worse. The problem with their request exposes a lot of what is wrong with some of our anointed superstar players.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]It appears the reason for wanting to leave is the instability within their respective teams. But I suspect watching other top players get their wish this summer pushed them to finally go public with their desires.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The difference between these two and the players who got their wish is that those players had expiring contracts. They had leverage because of their ability to sign somewhere else or ask for money the teams did not want to spend – thus prompting management to trade them instead of losing them to another team without getting compensation. [/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]On the other hand, Carter and Davis are locked into long-term deals that total approximately $130 million combined.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Let's put this in perspective. Here you have two players that upon signing their long-term contracts talked about how much they enjoyed the opportunity to represent and bring wins and success to their organizations. Now that the situation has become taxing, they want to jump ship instead of fight and persevere with the same organization that made them multimillionaires and trusted them to take their teams to the next level.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]When you sign a maximum contract, the responsibility you inherit is immense and you are supposed to be the engine and the driver.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]By wanting out, Davis and Carter show they just want to be the engine. They don't want the responsibility of being what they felt they were during negotiations.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]THE REAL STARS[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Just imagine if Michael Jordan had told the Bulls after five seasons and many player changes that he wanted out. The Bulls legacy of six championships would not be and Michael could have become Charles Barkley, who went searching for gold with two other teams and never found it.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]What if Isiah Thomas, who played on bad Detroit Piston teams early in his career, had forced a trade? We wouldn't have the legacy of the Bad Boys.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The edge that Michael, Isiah, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird had was the understanding of how to acquire and keep power even after they retired.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]They did not acquire power through pouting and wanting out when things got tough.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]They got power gaining the respect of their teammates, opponents, media and fans. And also by putting the weight of the organization on their shoulders and carrying them through good and bad times.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]It is called leadership. Both Vince Carter and Baron Davis need to show they are true leaders.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In order to understand what it takes to be a leader, they must do the following:[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]1. Get to know their teammates' strengths and weaknesses.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]2. Show up early for practice and games and exhibit a tremendous work ethic and toughness. Yeah, I am talking about practice.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]3. Encourage and motivate their teammates continuously – thus raising their level of play.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]4. Keep a positive attitude in the locker room – especially in bad times.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]5. Show respect for everyone – from the coaches, fans and office personnel on down to the ball boys.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]6. Be available for and respect the media for the job they have to do.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]7. Be a solid citizen and respect the law.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If Vince Carter and Baron Davis combine these actions with the megamillions they get, they will realize the true power they have with those who are counting on them.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Maybe then they will realize that staying with the organization that made sure you would never have another bad financial day in your lifetime would not be all that bad.[/font]
[font=Tahoma, Arial, Verdana]Bad timing[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]by Eddie Johnson / October 6, 2004[/font][/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]After watching several fellow All-Stars – such as Shaquille O'Neal, Tracy McGrady and Kenyon Martin – change teams this summer, Vince Carter and Baron Davis decided to let it be known that they would welcome a change of address as well. Their timing could not have been worse. The problem with their request exposes a lot of what is wrong with some of our anointed superstar players.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]It appears the reason for wanting to leave is the instability within their respective teams. But I suspect watching other top players get their wish this summer pushed them to finally go public with their desires.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The difference between these two and the players who got their wish is that those players had expiring contracts. They had leverage because of their ability to sign somewhere else or ask for money the teams did not want to spend – thus prompting management to trade them instead of losing them to another team without getting compensation. [/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]On the other hand, Carter and Davis are locked into long-term deals that total approximately $130 million combined.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Let's put this in perspective. Here you have two players that upon signing their long-term contracts talked about how much they enjoyed the opportunity to represent and bring wins and success to their organizations. Now that the situation has become taxing, they want to jump ship instead of fight and persevere with the same organization that made them multimillionaires and trusted them to take their teams to the next level.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]When you sign a maximum contract, the responsibility you inherit is immense and you are supposed to be the engine and the driver.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]By wanting out, Davis and Carter show they just want to be the engine. They don't want the responsibility of being what they felt they were during negotiations.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]THE REAL STARS[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Just imagine if Michael Jordan had told the Bulls after five seasons and many player changes that he wanted out. The Bulls legacy of six championships would not be and Michael could have become Charles Barkley, who went searching for gold with two other teams and never found it.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]What if Isiah Thomas, who played on bad Detroit Piston teams early in his career, had forced a trade? We wouldn't have the legacy of the Bad Boys.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The edge that Michael, Isiah, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird had was the understanding of how to acquire and keep power even after they retired.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]They did not acquire power through pouting and wanting out when things got tough.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]They got power gaining the respect of their teammates, opponents, media and fans. And also by putting the weight of the organization on their shoulders and carrying them through good and bad times.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]It is called leadership. Both Vince Carter and Baron Davis need to show they are true leaders.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In order to understand what it takes to be a leader, they must do the following:[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]1. Get to know their teammates' strengths and weaknesses.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]2. Show up early for practice and games and exhibit a tremendous work ethic and toughness. Yeah, I am talking about practice.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]3. Encourage and motivate their teammates continuously – thus raising their level of play.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]4. Keep a positive attitude in the locker room – especially in bad times.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]5. Show respect for everyone – from the coaches, fans and office personnel on down to the ball boys.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]6. Be available for and respect the media for the job they have to do.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]7. Be a solid citizen and respect the law.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If Vince Carter and Baron Davis combine these actions with the megamillions they get, they will realize the true power they have with those who are counting on them.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Maybe then they will realize that staying with the organization that made sure you would never have another bad financial day in your lifetime would not be all that bad.[/font]
