Another sad story about a former NBA player

Truly sad for one ex Knick captain.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/The-sad-tale-of-Ray-Williams-10-year-NBA-vet-no?urn=nba%2C253262

 

I remember him first during his days at Minnesota. A physical guard with a decent handle who could really shoot it.

Here's hoping he finds his way back.

 

Dude played in the 70s and 80s. The article says he made 2 million during his career. Assuming that is pre-taxes, is it even surprising that he'd be broke? Unless you pick up a new post-basketball career, you'd have to live VERY modestly to survive the rest of your life on that type of money.

 

He made $2 million for the first seven years or so. He even played a couple of years after that, so figure he made at least $2.5 million.

Even taking away half for taxes, then living on 50K a year for those ten years, which he wasn't, he would have had $750K left in 1987. It wouldn't have lasted forever, but he shouldn't have been homeless unless he made some very foolish decisions, which it sounds like, he did.

He's floated around from job to job, never trying to improve his education or anything like that, or even learn a second trade. Instead, he's now living in his car. It sounds sad, but it's also hard to be sympathetic.

 

It probably is not too far of a stretch to think that some of these guys (or their family members) never even had checking accounts before coming coming into the NBA, and now they are expected to manage millions of dollars?

What do you think is more important to them - investing in a stable 10-year bond or being sure all their high school buddies have new clothes and are taken care of?

Shit, some of these kids probably have no idea how to properly tip a waiter at an Applebees on a $125 check that has six people eating at the table.

It's no fault of their own that they cannot handle their own money. IJAG might be more successful working in the plumbing department at a True Value.

 

Sad - watched Williams play in HS. Never as smooth as his brother but he could play.

Story seems like there is more to it.

 

or as air conditioning repair specialist.

 

It's easy to Monday Morning Quarterback but I gotta believe there is more to this story.

 

Sorry about Williams, but I saw the thread title and thought it was about Gene Banks.

 

Remember him during his one year with the Kansas City Kings, 1982-83. SI even did a feature on the Kings' hot start, much of it on Williams' arrival. He came off as an idiot.

NFL and NBA players who didn't play past 1987 or 1988 are a threat to this existence, post-career.

 

Why not get new material and stop trolling Slappy? I don't think you are old enough to know much about Gene Banks except by trolling through the internet.