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Originally Posted by Bytor Peltor
There is NOTHING embarrassing about not being one of the Top Five paid players in the league......especially when you consider LeBron has never played in a Top Five Market. Truth is, in his entire NBA career, LeBron HAS NEVER even been the highest paid player on his team......NEVER!
Because of this, LeBron has only maid $490 million in carrier earnings......truly no good reason to start demanding the max now!
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The fact that Lebron has never had the max or been the highest paid salary is indeed embarrassing for the NBA, no way around that. Jordan made $33,000,000.. Kobe was making $29,000,000.. Even Pau Gasol was making more than Lebron! You're right about not being in a top-5 market, but that is the thing, Lebron is such a huge market unto himself that he brings in earnings. Miami Heat were the most popular road team in the NBA for the past four consecutive years, they sold out every single one of their road games and they had the most national TV games! Guess who was the post popular road team in 2009? Yup, Lebron's Cavs
Lebron demanded Max money because its good for the players, it gets things back to the way they used to be. The 2011 CBA tried to destroy what the 1990s brought to the NBA which was a "pay the man" philosophy.
In that regard, I applaud Lebron's decision, its good for ALL the players who want to get their next big contract. When KD or Westbrook go to sign next year best to believe they will remember this