Duncan has been taking pay cuts for 6 years now. Not something new he just decided to do. He made his money off his first 2 contracts.

Kobe needs a bigger deal to pay all those taxes in Cali.

At the halfway point of last season, the grizzlies were 21-20 and the Mavs were 24 - 17, but the Grizzlies out played the Mavs by 4 games over the last half of the season to finish 1 game up.

Go back even further to the time when Gasol returned from his knee injury, and the Grizzlies were 17 - 19. After he returned, the grizz went 33-13, which was probably better than every team in the nba not coached by Pop.

I'm not going to say the grizzlies are in a better position to win the title, but I wouldn't say the Mavs are either.

The fact is, there is okc and sas, and then there is the clips, followed by 5 or 6 teams that could knock one of those guys out in the playoffs, but would still be long shots to sniff a title.

I agree that they are both long ****s and have close to 0% championship equity. I just think the mavs' equity is higher than the grizz, even if it's still not very high (maybe 3% compared to 1%). The sportsbooks agree. Mavs are 25/1 and grizz are 50/1.

What can you do with $300 million that you can't do with $200 million?

Have more to leave to your kids/grandkids I guess. I know it's insane but it wouldn't be impossible for someone to spend the money (but I'm guessing Dirk/Duncan are not going to be running out anytime soon bc they both seem to have a good head on their shoulders...although Duncan's divorce could have hurt him).

Let's say that Dirk/Duncan take home about 120 million after taxes. Assuming they don't invest, then that's only spending 2 million a year if they live to be 80 and that's not leaving anything to kids. Obviously that is living an awesome life, but it doesn't seem too crazy if you think of it that way. If they are smart and started investing early, then of course they could have much more than 120 million. And they have made more money off endorsements but I'm not sure how much.

The guys who seem to get in trouble financially are the ones with entourages. You surround yourself with an extra payroll of hangers on and it's easy to drop a ton of money. Don't think Duncan or Dirk are those types of guys. Oh, and having a lot of Baby Momma's will tear a hole in your bank account as well.

Kevin Garnett has made almost $100 million dollars more than Duncan. I will never blame or fault any player for taking the most money possible during their playing career.

The ceiling for Carmelo's legacy has already been set. He's not going to be in the discussion for top 5 player, and I'm not sure he's in the list for top 5 SF ever. He should get as much money as possible.


Edited to add: I also think that there is more to a career than making money. Duncan's legacy, his (apparent) relationship with teammates and coaches, have value. Titles have value. I think's he's made the right decisions too.

[This message has been edited by Iowaggie (edited 7/21/2014 2:43p).]

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Let's say that Dirk/Duncan take home about 120 million after taxes. Assuming they don't invest, then that's only spending 2 million a year if they live to be 80 and that's not leaving anything to kids. Obviously that is living an awesome life, but it doesn't seem too crazy if you think of it that way. If they are smart and started investing early, then of course they could have much more than 120 million. And they have made more money off endorsements but I'm not sure how much.

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If you spend $2 mil/year and still live to be 80, you're doing it wrong

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The ceiling for Carmelo's legacy has already been set. He's not going to be in the discussion for top 5 player, and I'm not sure he's in the list for top 5 SF ever.

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I'm pretty damn sure Carmelo isn't on the SF list.

LeBron James
Larry Bird
Rick Barry
Julius Erving
Elgin Baylor
Scottie Pippen
Paul Pierce
Dominique Wilkins

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If you spend $2 mil/year and still live to be 80, you're doing it wrong

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Haha very true

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The ceiling for Carmelo's legacy has already been set. He's not going to be in the discussion for top 5 player, and I'm not sure he's in the list for top 5 SF ever.

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I'm pretty damn sure Carmelo isn't on the SF list.

LeBron James
Larry Bird
Rick Barry
Julius Erving
Elgin Baylor
Scottie Pippen
Paul Pierce
Dominique Wilkins

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I also wouldn't put Carmello above:

Alex English
George Gervin
Bernard King
John Havlicek
Chris Mullin

So he's probably not even Top 10 at the small forward position.

No love for The Matrix?

What a weird thread.

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What can you do with $300 million that you can't do with $200 million?

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- tax - agents - attorneys - child support - ex wives

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No love for The Matrix?

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Matrix has had a great career, pretty solid on offense early on and then changed his game to be a shut down defender. Also, Adrian Dantley is in the conversation.

In the immortal words of Patrick Ewing: "Sure NBA Players make a lot of money, but we spend a lot too."