Championship or Money?

In light of the recent player movements, this question popped into my head. Do players play for Championship or it's all business?
Do share your thoughts.

Each player plays for whatever reason is important to them. Ya know, it might even be because they <gasp!> enjoy the game!!?!?!?

Personally, I don't really care about money per se, but life would be much easier with plenty of it, so I'd take money anyday. I care even less about glory.

earlier in career, players go for money and with more fame, age, and money in the bank, some pursuit for the ring. after all, playing bball is a job, so can't really blame those who wants more salary.

I'll take the money. Like Sprewell said, " I got kidz to feed!"

Uh... Some players play for money, others for championship. Its not like every single NBA player has the same motivation. Granted, I am sure that more players do it for the money, since it is a necessity, while glory is just a great feeling to have.

Maybe I'm wrong, but back in the yesteryears, I thot players played for the love of the game; hence the rings... and there weren't as much player movements like they do now...

I would rather play for money and be the #1 guy on a shit team, than to play with a winning team

I reckon players play where they think they will have the most fun. If 'the most fun' comes from having money, then so be it.
But if the most fun comes from taking a pay cut to stay and play with your mates, then that'd be good too.

I would say that players are playing for championships but this is their livelihood we're talking about so they must sometimes make business decisions, just the same as teams will make their own decisions with the players they have under contract. However, players who coast until they're in a contract year would certainly seem to be more motivated by money than competition or the game itself.

I (unusually for me) for me voted for championship....it's a game, you play the game to win regardless of the level you play at....first & foremost, it's about winning....the money comes with it....of course players do choose money over winning, but it doesn't mean they don't care about winning....often you see those players complaining or demanding trades later to go to a better team to win....often when they sign elsewhere, the money is only one reason, teams tend to promise that they'll compete for championships....

so yep, winning first....everybody wants to win....

And of course, successful players can lay a stronger claim to the big bucks.

I would have to go for money. But I would not take a huge contract from a bad team instead of an reasonable deal from a contender (should be a short term deal though).

If I was an NBA player I don't know if I could turn down a more lucrative offer from an inferior team, particularly if I felt I could help change the team's fortune.

i always said, if i was a star player i would want to play with one team for my entire career, if you drafted me i would want to retire from that your team. if i had to change teams for a title or money i would do it for money. to me there is nothing worse than a ageing player trying to sign on to a sure win team(haha malone and payton) just to try and snag a ring at the end.


now there are exceptions to the rule, there are exceptions to every rule, thats just how i would feel if i was a star player. now take for example i was not a star player but a role player, say a solid 6th man. these players are sure to move alot in todays nba so i would start my career going purely for money, mid career try to sign on for a few years and try to win a ring then finish up again for only the money.

assume i am less than a 6th man, 8th or 9th? i play for whoever pays me the most for the longest amount of time no matter what. will i see a minute? dont care. will my team lose 60 games every year? dont care

Based on the polling so far, I'm surprised the results are quite even.. perhaps it's a mixture of both factors? Players playing for both the championship & the money?

Or, perhaps players are individuals!

Players playing for both the championship & the money?

really? u think people want to get paid to win?

get the fuck out of here!

i always said, if i was a star player i would want to play with one team for my entire career, if you drafted me i would want to retire from that your team. if i had to change teams for a title or money i would do it for money. to me there is nothing worse than a ageing player trying to sign on to a sure win team(haha malone and payton) just to try and snag a ring at the end.

It's understandable though, if I were in their position I reckon I'd at least consider it if I'd never won a championship and desperately wanted to be part of such an accomplishment and enjoy the experience.

Players playing for both the championship & the money?

really? u think people want to get paid to win?

get the fuck out of here!

If I understand u correctly, you're of the opinion that they play for the glory?

Players playing for both the championship & the money?

really? u think people want to get paid to win?

get the fuck out of here!

If I understand u correctly

You don't. Why ELSE would anyone do anything, if not for winning and money?

dont say enjoyment, because it can't be that much fun losing.

Last edited by Laxation on Wed Aug 13, 2008 11:52 am, edited 1 time in total.

For the love of the sport?

apparently size 0 text doesnt show up...

i made it a little bigger

The love of the sport has to come into play at some point though. A lot of NBA players played other sports growing up like football and baseball which would have been just as lucrative as professional basketball. Considering that there have been NBA players who were also drafted by other professional sports leagues they must have a greater love of basketball to choose it for their career.

The love of the sport has to come into play at some point though. A lot of NBA players played other sports growing up like football and baseball which would have been just as lucrative as professional basketball. Considering that there have been NBA players who were also drafted by other professional sports leagues they must have a greater love of basketball to choose it for their career.

When it comes to sport, winning isn't everything... its the only thing.

I see what you're saying, but if I'm not winning - I won't enjoy the sport as much.

But you're not them, so you can't speak for them based on your likes/ dislikes.

When it comes to sport, winning isn't everything... its the only thing.

I see what you're saying, but if I'm not winning - I won't enjoy the sport as much.

True, but if they're multitalented enough to potentially play more than one sport professionally and make a good living out of it, they must be passionate about whichever sport they decide they'll dedicate themselves to. From there, being the best they can be and ultimately winning is obviously the goal but they'd have to be pretty enthusiastic about the sport in the first place.