Sent Packing

When the news scrolled across the screen on ESPN announcing the trade of Kendrick Perkins, the first thought that popped into my head was Coach Doc's declaration to the NBA world, “They (Lakers) still have not beaten our starting five. Our starting five against the Lakers starting five has a ring. Tell him don’t forget that. We will be back strong and Perk will be there next year if there’s a Game 7” (Los Angeles Times, August 24, 2010).

Quite a bold and strong statement came crashing down today as Perkins was sent packing to Oklahoma for Jeff Green and the other guy. I guess there isn't going to be a Game 7 after all. This move just solidifies my belief that players such as Chris Paul and Dwight Howard should use the leverage they have as a superstar because once you're not those owners who sing your praises will one day send you packing. There is no such thing as loyalty in a professional sport. It's all about money and winning, in that order.

Entitlement: There's Enough To Go Around

With the possible lock out looming for the NFL, NBA superstars like Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony leaving their small market teams for the larger markets of Miami and New York and Mr. Yankee himself Derek Jeter wanting more money then he is currently valued. It's hard not to ask why. In a time of great economic struggles for most people in the country it's hard to stomach athletes complaining about a few million dollars or watching them leave your home town team for greener pastures while you are forced to watch a mediocre product compete for the possibility of drafting 1st overall. You might believe that the modern day athlete are nothing but spoiled brats who feel entitled, which I agree in some respects. However, if some fans were to look in the mirror they would find that they are infected with the entitlement bug just like these million dollar babies.

Only the side effects of an entitled fan is quite different from there athletic counterparts.

1. Amnesia are one of the first signs as fans forget that their loyalty only goes as far as their athlete produces. No one has every burned the jersey of a O-lineman or kicker.
2. Poor vision may accompany this disease when fans start losing sight of the fact that their contribution though substantial doesn't mean the players owe them anything. Do Walmart workers owe their customers (I know some customers would like to think so) and therefore, shouldn't be allowed to leave or seek out better employment.
3. A weakened empathetic system predisposes the fan to ignorance as he or she forgets that athletes have rights just like them and aren't cattle to do the bidding of their fans or owners for that manner. If a fan wanted to leave their job they could without having a line of coworkers standing outside the office burning his name tag.

So before fans start grumbling about their athletes look in the mirror and ask yourself if your coming down with anything.