As everyone knows, LeBron James recieved a $90 million dollar contract from Nike without even stepping foot on an NBA court. In fact, he hasn't even graduated from high school at the time the contract was signed. What kind of slipped by the radar was the fact that Nike freed up the money to sign LeBron by dumping another one of it's basketball players... Tim Duncan. Duncan is a two time MVP, former rookie of the year, mvp of the 1999 nba finals, which he won, and considered by many to be the best all around player in the NBA, and one of the greatest PF's to ever play the game... but he's also a nice guy. He doesn't have 30 tattoo's on his arms. He smiles. He wears nice suits in press conferences instead of oversized throwback jerseys. He is a college graduate. He doesn't get arrested for drug possesion. He doesn't choke his coach. He doesn't ignore his teammates and shoot the ball 40 times a game. He also doesn't sell sneakers. How sad is it that as a society, the Allen Iverson's and Rasheed Wallace's and Latrell Sprewell's of the world can get lucrative endorsement contracts baised on their ability to move products, yet Tim Duncan gets dropped from Nike in order to pay an 18 year old kid who's yet to even put on an NBA uniform, besides the throwback jersey's he got suspended for.
These are the top 10 players ranked on number of jerseys sold at the NBA Store and NBA.com
1. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
2. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
3. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
4. Michael Jordan, Washington Wizards
5. Jay Williams, Chicago Bulls
6. Tracy McGrady, Orlando Magic
7. Jalen Rose, Chicago Bulls
8. Reggie Miller, Indiana Pacers
9. Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles Lakers
10. Latrell Sprewell New York Knicks
Tim Duncan is no where to be found, despite being a two-time MVP. Why? He's "boring." I find this to be really really sad.
These are the top 10 players ranked on number of jerseys sold at the NBA Store and NBA.com
1. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
2. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
3. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
4. Michael Jordan, Washington Wizards
5. Jay Williams, Chicago Bulls
6. Tracy McGrady, Orlando Magic
7. Jalen Rose, Chicago Bulls
8. Reggie Miller, Indiana Pacers
9. Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles Lakers
10. Latrell Sprewell New York Knicks
Tim Duncan is no where to be found, despite being a two-time MVP. Why? He's "boring." I find this to be really really sad.