Making the sacrifice
The thought of giving up $63 million is mind-boggling, but the thought of playing ball under duress is probably even worse. So I guess Andrei Kirilenko must be in a situation that warrants this kind of move. The game should be fun and it should be something you look forward to doing. NBA players are highly-skilled professional athletes that have usually spent a great deal of their lives training for it. Yes, $63 million is a whole lot of money and most would not even think about giving it back once it’s theirs… But this takes me back to that thing called sacrifice. And in life, it is going to come up here and there. It must be chosen or not.
Doug was injured and needed surgery one and a half years ago and finally had it done, but only after he made the decision to sacrifice playing to go under the knife. He knew it would be a very long road back and now he is ready to go. The lesson here is this… All that glitters ain’t gold, so sometimes even in pro sports you have to make a decision to do what’s in the best interest of everyone involved – even if it means giving up the money.
ANTHONY Said,
September 22, 2007 @ 8:58 pm
this is truly a travesty for the nba when you have players saying here take back the money i’ll pass and it’s that kind of money that is not good they will need to do some really good damage control if he does go through with it.
Modern Day Pirates Said,
September 23, 2007 @ 1:52 am
I can’t say I feel “bad” for him when people are starving all over the world but he did get bumped out of his position when Boozer came back. And it seems like Deron doesn’t like him and when you look at the rockets series last year he only averaged about 3-4 shots a game. i’d be pissed too but he’ll make a ton of money playing in russia and his wife has money too. plus russia is cheaper to live in and he probably will be much happier there. but then again there’s always the “what if” factor.
Alan Said,
September 23, 2007 @ 8:03 am
Wow! As someone who was born and raised in Salt Lake City, I can see why he doesn’t want to be there anymore, but 63 million????
That’s alot of $$$ to give up on just because you don’t like the city or the coach.
MD Said,
September 23, 2007 @ 4:11 pm
When it comes down to what really makes you happy you have to follow your heart. If he’s willing to forfeit and give up $63 million, that’s on him. It’s either take the money, play for the team and not be happy or give it up and follow what he feels is best in his heart. And that’s his choice and just others opinions. Because it’s obvious that here in the US they make money such a huge factor. But if any of you have traveled abroad you’d see that many European countries value LIFE itself and they don’t live to work like we do here in America.
Blasz Said,
September 23, 2007 @ 4:48 pm
Jackie Christie is an NBA wife? Which active roster nba player is she married to?
Jake Said,
September 23, 2007 @ 8:23 pm
AK signed to play for the Jazz and their style of play. Maybe, instead of the team being built around him (which didn’t bode so well, did it?) he should adapt to his current coaches style. That’s his job. If I worked as a teacher and I was told to teach a US History, I’m not going to start teaching Geometry, am I? He knew full well that Jerry Sloan played slow, strategic basketball. I don’t care if he doesn’t enjoy playing in Utah. I don’t enjoy going to work. Honor your contract and do what your coach says, you overrated, overpaid, spoiled punk. Anyone who looks at Kirilenko as the victim is no fan of the NBA, instead a fan of prima-donna idiots who are comprimising the integrity of the game.
Whatever happened to the greater good of the team?
ANTHONY Said,
September 23, 2007 @ 10:36 pm
GO DO YOUR HOME WORK AND THE ANSWER IS SURELY THERE,
chris Said,
September 24, 2007 @ 1:26 am
whatever it takes bro! you gotta put respect to the game. it would be great to see christie back on the court!
NC Said,
September 24, 2007 @ 8:52 am
Are you kidding me! He is just upset that he isn’t the star. I say he should go back to Russia….who cares if he is upset…I am sick of players demanding trades….they aren’t the boss, they are the employee…and don’t give me employee rights bs…because they are overpaid, and should be giving there all, not complaining like Mr. K over here.
If he was to pick up his game, then maybe he would see more action in all aspects. He was way overpaid to begin with, so him turning down 63 million is not a travesty but justice.
statusmvp Said,
September 24, 2007 @ 8:52 pm
all the money in the world dont matter if u aint happy or winning…jus ask malone, stockton, miller, barkley etc…..AK-47 is already rich, so he dont need the money, now he needs championship rings….its not always about the money
ANTHONYY Said,
September 25, 2007 @ 7:56 pm
WHO CARED WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT KIRILENKO, MRS. CHRISTIE YOU DON’T EVEN WRITE WITH CLEVERNESS. BORING BLOG.
Soul Said,
September 28, 2007 @ 12:09 am
Blasz, that was brilliant! lol
Matt Said,
October 1, 2007 @ 4:30 am
Jackie,
It will be a pleasure reading your blog and seeing how inventive you are in finding segues back to the topic of your Husband.
ANTHONY Said,
October 1, 2007 @ 11:54 am
that’s great matt your saying somthing very nice to mrs christie, how smart.
ANTHONY Said,
October 1, 2007 @ 11:56 am
and to anyone that has somthing silly to say about this being a boring blog go jump off a bridge this is a very interesting insight into the nba from a whole different perspective and besides no matter what she or doug writes the haters won’t get it or try to for they are jelous and can’t see beyond the hate!
John Said,
October 16, 2007 @ 5:04 pm
Aww poor little millionaires. Give me a break