i'm usually not quick to jump on the "**** 'em they make tons of money just shut up and play" wagon because i understand it's more about respect than money a lot of the time (being lowballed indicates disrespect and none of us wants to work for a company that doesn't respect us) but that was pathetic and i say to hell with him. why should i help them win a title? and then bringing in the feeding the family BS. i'm trying to think just what else spree could've said to sound like more of a jackass. as LegendZ3 pointed out, he's got a shot at a title and now wants to be traded. and having a shot makes it even worse to cause waves like this. they offer him a contract even his mother wouldn't give him and he says they aren't taking care of him? so, his argument is, no one thinks i'm worth even close to 9M but since y'all are offering 9 instead of 14.6, screw you. awesome argument there spree. what makes it even stupider is everyone knows he's not worth it which just makes him sound ridiculous. besides, based on last season, he was a huge step down in importance from cassell. cassell has a right to want a big contract b/c he's been underpaid by nba standards for a while now and just had a spectacular season. extend cassell to make him happy and ship spree's dumbass.
Sprewell is worth the mid level exception, and not much more. Compare him to Steven Jackson, 8 years younger and signed for 4.9 million: 2003-2004 stats, w/ current salary: Spree born 9/08/70 MPG - 37.8 PPG - 16.8 RPG - 3.80 APG - 3.5 SPG - 1.07 BPG - .26 TPG - 1.93 FPG - 1.20 FG% - .409 3P% - .331 FT% - .814 $$$: $14.6 Million SJax born 4/05/78 MPG - 36.8 PPG - 18.1 RPG - 4.60 APG - 3.1 SPG - 1.78 BPG - .25 TPG - 2.79 FPG - 2.70 FG% - .425 3P% - .340 FT% - .785 $$$: $4.9 Million I'd rather have SJackson for defense, better shot selection, and youth, never mind the MUCH LOWER price tag and less baggage.
It sucks bc I kind of like Minnesota. I like KG, Sam, McHale, Saunders. They did Spree a favor by trading for him and letting him compete for a championship. Obviously winning is not his top priority, so he deserves to get traded to a crappy team. Seriously, shut your mouth Spree. It's bad enough he's making the max now. If 9 mil is too insulting an offer at his age, what does he want?
It looks like Spree is badly advised on this one imho. I would assume that a $9M per for three seasons after this one is fair.......infact very fair for a guy of his talent and age. But it is his life. I will bet not team will give him something bigger than this if he chooses to become a free agent. What is his beef really?
He can join Derek Bell's "Operation Shutdown"... You can't fault him for trying to get $$$ but he should keep the comments quiet, it just makes him look bad/greedy.
Thank you, I just read this article on CBS Sportsline and it is insulting and just pisses me off!!!! "I've got my family to feed". Man, that is just the stupidest thing I ever heard!!!
the first thing i thought when i saw his stats was cuttino can do that and for 1/2 the price. hell, trade him for cuttino. cat would make that team badass.
Spree is a damn fool for turning down 3 years 27 mill. Beyond anything else, it's just a bad business move. I don't think any GM in their right mind would give him that much next offseason. And the dude is 34 years old. For all he knows, he could pull a Payton this year and have his game fall off the face of the Earth. This is a no-brainer. 27 million guaranteed right now, or take your chances with a 34 year old body. Crazy.
still surprised nobody has suggested we trade for him not surprised at all by Spree's actions, surely nobody can, he has been a nutjob for ages........ really i hope the Twolves take the offer off the table and then trade him..... wally is playing great again and maybe they add some more help at centre...... all in all Spree is just helping the owners cause in the upcoming cba renegotiations.. player attitudes like this just turn the public support away from the players to more to the owners........ fricken hell how the hell does a slightly above average player think they are worth more the 9 million a game..... all owners should make a stand and nobody offer him more than a few mill in the offseason
If i were Minnesota I'd straight up trade the guy. I'm sure his expiring contract is appealing enough to bring in some talent. I mean the guy was as inconsistent as houston weather last season. I see no reason why minnesota needs him. Tehy could probably get 2 players that does what he does.
If the trend of Kirilenko and Parker holds - Spree is close to signing and just trying to squeeze more from the rock. Since most NBA players make more than 98% of small businesses in the US - it's difficult to fault players who treat their contractual affairs like that of a business and negotiate for the max. From what I read - Spree is something of an entreprenuer outside of basketball - so that makes it even more likely that is what he's up to. Boki - for all the beating he takes here - and with the team declinign his option - is still one of the wealthiest Slovenians in the world.
apparently stern responded to spree's comments and said it makes the league look bad when people say stuff like this and that talking about tanking it (why should i help them win a title comment) won't happen in this league. that's why i love stern, because he'll actually step out and talk about stuff like this. spree deserves whatever heat he gets.
I feel bad for spree. Seriously, how is his family supposed to eat on only 9 million a year. Poor b*stard is getting screwed.
Guess 10 million a year does not stretch to Beluga caviar for breakfast, lunch and dinner? I don't know what the hell they are eating or if there are an army of them, but his family is mighty hungry! But seriously, this is a serious disconnect. To me (and most folks), a million dollars a year would be an unimaginable sum of money. He is overpaid to play a game, for chrissakes and yet, 10 million isn't enough? Dude, you're in your 30's, a time not friendly to swingmen, especially not ones whose main game was their quickness. I think Spree is a disgrace to the U of Alabama and to the NBA and the T-Wolves would be wise to send his worthless hide packing.
