One of the longest running debates in sports when we discuss a player’s choices is, is he going to go for the money or try to win? But no matter what players do we often criticize them anyways. Carmelo Anthony was criticized for staying with the New York Knicks where he received more money instead of going to another team like the Chicago Bulls (who were good btw). BUT Kevin Durant was also criticized for choosing the Western Conference champion Golden State Warriors instead of staying with the Oklahoma City Thunder whom he could’ve signed a substantial contract with. Now yes there’s other semantics in these examples and it’s not as clear cut but the point still remains that players have to do what’s best for them because they’ll get criticized either way. But anyway, Stephen Jackson did an interview with HoopsHype and ripped players for taking money over winning.
via HoopsHype:
“There’s a lot of guys in the NBA right now that are making money but they really don’t care if they win or lose as long as they are getting the paycheck and I’ve never been like that.
“That’s the sad part of the NBA right now, that there are some players that are making a lot of money but they don’t really care about winning games and bringing the championship or a winning season to the organization, and that’s what the fans are complaining about. And that’s why a lot of fans want me back in the game. Because they know I appreciate the game, I’m not just there to get a paycheck.”
Some might consider Stak a hypocrite since he chose money over winning before (Yahoo explains it here).
