Hello folks. As the NBA playoff season is about to kick off in the next few weeks and the teams that missed the playoffs go home to reflect on what could of been, I feel like I have some reflection of my own. I want to look back on a sporting moment of my own. In March of 2011 I attended a Portland TrailBlazer’s basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks and after the game I was blessed with the opportunity to go down to the court and do a little meet and greet with a former player and take a free throw shot. As I calmly sank a nothing but net shot, I thought about the ramifications of the shot and everything that goes with it. Players nowadays are getting huge contracts and endorsement deals all before they even set foot on a basketball court. Even if the player turns out to be either a bust or an injury-riddled player, the team invests tons of money into him. Does 15,000+ loud fans cheering or booing at you and your season on the line truly change the outcome of the shot. I do not think so. Either it goes in or it does not go in, simple as that. It is amazing to me the amount of money some players demand and actually receive. Too many years of inflated contracts led to 2011-2012 NBA lockout, and did it really fix the broken model of overpay, overpay, & overpay. I think not. The fans should be partially blamed for the problem as we keep putting money into our favorite teams and athletes who help out the owners bottom dollar in what can be paid out to the players. It is like a catch 22 scenario, as we love to watch and support our teams but with the economy still in the pits and just about every person hurting for money it hard to justify the money the athletes receive. I made that free throw shot just like the "superstars" do but my modest income will not be affected by it. Someday professionals that are actually underappreicated in the healthcare, law enforcement, government, and just about any other job will hopefully get the respect and income to match their hard work and dedication. In conclusion it is a simple Yes to professional athletes being overpaid.
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