| 24 October 2011
One of the side effects of the NBA lockout is hundreds of NBA players with hours of extra time on their hands. While most players are spending their time on obvious pursuits (exhibition basketball games and/or charity endeavours and/or travelling to Third World countries to hock shoes - BORRRRRRRING!!), some are taking advantage of this rare abundance of free time to pursue more exotic undertakings. In memory of the "What I Did On My Summer Vacation" essays we all got to write in school, The Hoops Manifesto honours these brave players with our "What I Did On My NBA Lockout" feature. Next up: Kobe Bryant, Luke Walton & Danny Granger give back.
There are three main groups associated with the NBA lockout that all feel like they are the 'victims' in the league's labour discord. They would be, of course, the owners, the players and the fans. But the forgotten party here would be team and arena employees that aren't millionaire or billionaires like the two disputing parties are. Whether it be the training staff or the arena concession worker, these people are out of work as long as NBA arenas remain blackened. That is why it is good to hear some players haven't forgotten these often overlooked casualties of the labour war. Kobe Bryant insisted on donating part of his playoff bonus to two laid off video coordinators (they were given $65,000 to split) and teammate Luke Walton gave money to the team's training staff. Indiana Pacer Danny Granger has invited all of the Conseco Fieldhouse staff out to dinner, his treat. As the lockout drags on, it would be nice to read more stories of acts of kindness, not just from players but from the owners, too.
Previous Players Profiled: Paul Pierce, Kevin Love, Baron Davis, Durant & Bosh
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
