Loyalty In the NBA

[matterxD]

In today's game.. loyalty is not shown at all in the NBA... but why? and Who is the only select few who actually show loyalty to their own team?

[DumDum]

WE TALKIN' ABOUT Loyalty ?

[IgglesFanInCO]

Timmy D and Dirk

[IndyRealist]

Players are supposed to be loyal to their teams, but Boston is looking to trade KG, Indy's taking calls on Granger, Calderon and Gay got moved, etc. It's kind of hypocritical.

Teams are supposed to look to improve regardless of loyalties, why are player not supposed to put themselves in a better position to win or earn money?

[kdspurman]

The Spurs organization, and their big 3.

Dirk, (though him being moved might not be out of the question at some point) same with Pierce

[DITKA4GOV]

The face of the NBA has changed. Reggie Miller, David Robinson/ Tim Duncan, Bird, Magic, Hakeem, Stockton and so on are gone. Loyalty is an honorable thing, but also never netted some of those guys rings. In this day and age of superteams, I only see a select few staying loyal to the end. D. Rose (Chi born and bred), KDurant, DWade, Kobe, and TParker/Manu may be the last remaining guys that could end up retiring from the team that they first played for.

I personally hope the super team trend is just a fad, and stars are spread amongst the league and stay with thier respective team longer. A more level playing field creates more excitment in my opinion. Team basketball to me is way more intersting then ISO offense for Melo or LBJ. If Miami rattles off a three peat, sadly the demise of this league will be 3-5 contenders every year, and a bunch of terrible teams.

**I didn't include Pierce and Dirk because I think they both end thier careers somewhere else, maybe against boths wishes.

[ManRamForPrez24]

Duncan has been loyal, but it really wasn't ever a tough decision for him. I mean, what team has had more success and more talent than the Spurs over the past decade? It never was rough sailing in San Antonio. Same with Kobe, who almost fled the second things weren't perfect. They've had it good and never really had a reason to be "disloyal".

The whole idea of "loyalty" is silly...especially if you expect all players to be equally "loyal" to their teams regardless of circumstances.

[kdspurman]

Duncan has been loyal, but it really wasn't ever a tough decision for him. I mean, what team has had more success and more talent than the Spurs over the past decade? It never was rough sailing in San Antonio. Same with Kobe, who almost fled the second things weren't perfect. They've had it good and never really had a reason to be "disloyal".

The whole idea of "loyalty" is silly...especially if you expect all players to be equally "loyal" to their teams regardless of circumstances.

Well, he seriously considered going to Orlando. A chance to go play with some big named guys, or staying put. I'd say that was a pretty tough decision. Especially knowing his running mate Robinson only had a few years left.

[LongIslandIcedZ]

As a fan it's always nice to see a player show real loyalty and stay with the same team his entire career, but it's not very realistic. Not everyone is put in a perfect situation and guys want to put themselves in the best position to win. I think I would like to see most stars stay with the team that drafted them, but then the KNicks would suck lol.

[ManRamForPrez24]

Well, he seriously considered going to Orlando. A chance to go play with some big named guys, or staying put. I'd say that was a pretty tough decision. Especially knowing his running mate Robinson only had a few years left.

True. And trust me, I remember that.

And that was before Manu and Parker, and it was when Robinson was getting up there. So maybe I'm selling him a little short. However, compared to the decision LeBron had to make, or Love will have to make, or KG had to make, and so on and so on...it doesn't compare. Not all circumstances are alike, that's my only point. He was fresh off a championship....

[NoahH]

You do what you gotta do to win

[kdspurman]

True. And trust me, I remember that.

And that was before Manu and Parker, and it was when Robinson was getting up there. So maybe I'm selling him a little short. However, compared to the decision LeBron had to make, or Love will have to make, or KG had to make, and so on and so on...it doesn't compare. Not all circumstances are alike, that's my only point. He was fresh off a championship....

Ha, I'm sure you and most Magic fans do!

But yea no doubt, not nearly the kind of decision some of these other guys had to make, but he did have the chance to leave for a bigger city and play with bigger names.

I still wonder how that would've changed the 2000's sometimes... Just very fortunate he decided to stay put.

[Jarvo]

The Spurs organization, and their big 3.

Dirk, (though him being moved might not be out of the question at some point) same with Pierce

[Jarvo]

But this is The NBA aka "what have you done for me lately" league so all that loyal **** is out the door.

[Corey]

Its a business.

Too much sensitivity. The end goal is profit and a competitive team/title.