Veteran point guard Chauncey Billups ready to sacrifice for the younger lot: NBA Update
Back in 1998 when the National Basketball Association saw its first ever lockout, the franchise owners won that battle, as the players were scattered over the new deal and they were also not financially as wealthy as the current
players are.
The owners are once again looking to crack the player power in order to win again. The rumours regarding players fight and division have gripped the media, but the National Basketball Players Association President Derek Fisher
chipped in at the right time and made it clear that the players are standing “shoulder to shoulder” with each other and they are not considering the decertification option.
This unification was not just found at the top level, but also at individual levels. New York Knicks point guard Chauncey Billups is one of such players, who are ready to bear the loss, but not ready to bow down in front of the
NBA owners.
The proof of Billups sincerity with the players came, when he told during a telephonic interview that, “I don’t want to lose that money. Nobody wants to lose the biggest payday they are ever going to get. I’m never going to get
another payday like that again.
“However, I’ve got to look at the big picture and say, ‘Is it about me, selfishly?’ Say, ‘Just strike a deal, I don’t care what it is, because I just want to get my money?’ Or do I care about all these young guys who have 10 to
15 years to play?”
Chauncey said that on behalf of several NBA veterans, who are still in the league because of their skilful play and have seen big pay days. Billups himself would earn $14.2 million by the end of the next season (if it takes place),
as his contract will also end by the end of the season.
Just like others Billups also like to get paid and at the same time he also wants to play. However, the 34 year old is looking at the big picture rather than being selfish. And the big picture is that young players, who had just
arrived in the league, are yet to see their big pay day, as veterans like Billups have seen in their career.
In order to secure the future of these young players, veterans like Billups have to make the sacrifice. Just like the veterans of Billups time did for them in the league’s preceding lockout. Billups is now just trying to pay it
forward now.
Therefore, this time because of players like Billups, who follow principles quiet strictly , owners and other hidden powers so far have failed to create rift between the players. That is why this time decertification of the union
is also not going to be as simple as it was earlier.
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