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Following his third and final retirement in 2005 from the game of basketball, Michael Jordan made an appearance on the famous talk show Oprah. While most of the show was based on his career and the friendship he shared with fellow NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, with the latter making an appearance as well, there was a statement he made that attracted a lot of attention and has come to be regarded as the bitter truth in the league at present.
While comparing sportsmen to rockstars, Jordan mentioned that in basketball many of the new players – the rookies – get guaranteed long term deals only for their potential unlike back in the 80’s when corporates approached the likes of himself, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, offering them big money which they had rightfully earned.
Every player on the roster of an NBA team must prove or justify his position in the team, whether it’s justifying a contract extension or simply coming off an injury or a terrible season.
Here, we list the three players who have the most to prove this season. The players mentioned are relatively young so they still have time in their career to prove the backing they have received.
Derrick Rose
Even before turning 26, the 2011 NBA MVP Derrick Rose has had to deal with multiple knee issues which have kept him out of action for almost two entire seasons. In what was expected to be the last year together for the Chicago Bulls’ core, Rose shouldered an immense amount of pressure to lead the franchise. However, after successfully returning from a torn ACL, Rose did not last even a month into the new seaosn as he tore his right knee meniscus on November 22nd, 2013.
Although the half of the compeititive players from the team’s previous core are gone (for example Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng), the signing of free agent Pau Gasol during the off-season was a huge boost to the Bulls’ chances of a title with a fit Rose. Currently practising with the USA National Basketball team in preparation for the FIBA World Cup in Spain, Rose has been seen in good shape both physically and from the point of view of his form.
With his game said to have become better than it was earlier, the stakes are higher for Rose to answer the call of the Bulls’ fans for a much awaited championship. Having said that, the true test of his fitness and successful rehab will only come after he plays his first game in the league, given that the highest level of basketball is played in the NBA.
J.R. Smith
From being named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 2012 to being banned and fined for substance use and misconduct respectively in the following season, J.R. Smith has had a roller coaster past couple of seasons in the league. If he wishes to continue to stay in the Big Apple, he must get his head straight and start playing good team basketball and use his talents to their effective best for the team’s cause. .
With stars of the past and present coming together in New York in the form of Phil Jackson and Carmelo Anthony, there is a realistic chance of the Knicks becoming NBA champions. And Smith would have to change his ways if he intends to be among the players to receive a ring in honour of being a part of a championship team.
Nevertheless, all is not lost as the first step to change is admitting one’s mistake and fortunately Smith has done that. He has shown what he is capable of, but with the poor response he has received from the educated fans in Madison Square Garden, it is time he reminded them what a huge asset he is to the team.
Chris Bosh
Bosh might have been an integral part of Miami’s legendary Big 3 – they were the first team to make it to four consecutive NBA Finals since Bird’s Boston Celtics in the 1980’s – but there is no denying that his impact to the team was more like that of a role player in comparison to the influence that LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have on the team.
Despite being offered a highly lucrative offer by the Houston Rockets, Bosh signed a max contract for five years worth 118 million dollars with his current team the Miami Heat. The fact that the best player on the planet James did not receive money to this scale begs the question whether Bosh was overpaid and whether he needed financial incentives to just remain in Miami.
Now that he is sure to receive more touches in the team’s offensive scheme of things, Bosh must let his game do the talking and answer all doubts surrounding him. He is a two-time NBA Champion and a multiple time All-Star, but still Bosh would be compelled to justify the money he is being paid, which many argue is too high for his capabilities and talent. Who knows, maybe Bosh might lead the re-tooled Heat to higher ranks than most people expect.
The citizens and management of Miami would then certainly be happy to justify the pay rise.
