Scarface ... and the NBA

"In this country, you gotta make the money first. Then when you get the money, you get the power. Then when you get the power, then you get the women." (Tony Montana: Scarface)

One of my friends (Tux) has a theory when it comes to contracts in the NBA and in particular how it relates to fantasy basketball. His theory is that when drafting players you want to pick players who are in contract years. Therefore the reverse also applies ... don't draft players who have just received the big contract.

Tux believes that most players when they reach the NBA are motivated mainly by the money and in landing the big contracts. In contract years they step up their game and play flat-out every night. Once they land the money they aren't as hungry, don't put in the same level of effort and production falls the next year.

Normally, a number of my friends and I laugh off many of Tux's theories but this one is spot-on. So why am I bringing this up now? Well, in this NBA Championship Series there is an example of both sides of the ledger.

Exhibit 1: Lamar Odom
Contract status: About to become a free-agent
He struggled through much of the early part of the season adjusting to his new role of coming off the bench. When Andrew Bynum went down injured, Odom stepped back in to the starting line-up and stepped up his play. Fast forward to the Championship Series and Odom is playing out of his skin.

Exhibit 2: Andrew Bynum
Contract status: Just received a 3 year, $42 million contract extension
Bynum has struggled with injuries but when he was healthy last season he was putting up fantastic numbers. Great clips and averaging a double double. Fast forward to his return from injury this season and throughout these playoffs Bynum is averaging 6 points and just over 3 boards per game. Foul trouble, whinging about court-time and arguing with the coach.

I remember seeing a story about Bynum from the crew at Dime earlier in the year. When I saw this video I just shook my head:



Think I'm making this up? Here's an article from ESPN questioning Lamar's motivation. And here's one about some of the worst contracts in the NBA.

Kids, despite what you see in rap videos ... its not all about the money, the ring is the thing!