George Mikan dying and the NBA wont do anything

[syxx2001 0]

I was watching ESPN a few minutes ago and they ran a peice on SC about Mikan having diabetes and kidney failure and due to him retiring before 1965, when the NBA Retiree penchant was born, he only gets 20,000 dollars A YEAR compared to the 45,000 Oscar Robertson or Kevin McHale would get since they left after 1965. He doesnt have the toes on his left foot, his doesnt have his right leg and he is missing fingers on his left hand. He had to auction off his MLPS jersey to pay for his medical bills. He had to sell his MVP trophy to pay his medical bills. This is the man who put the NBA on the map in the 40s and 50s and he cant even get good coverage or whatever from the NBA. SC asked the NBA about it and they said since it is being discussed by the players union or some bullshit, they couldnt discuss it in public. Mikan talked about how in 2001 when his statue was debuted at the Target Center, Stern thanked him via video for being one of the best players in history and at one point being the best and being the NBA's history. So Mikan asked if all of that is true how come he cant even get the money post '65 players get. His son believes since there are less than 100 players that retired before '65 still alive the NBA doesnt care cause they will die soon and wont have to worry about it anymore. Mikan also wants the security for his wife, as widows get 50% of what the players get, so she would get 10,000 dollars a year.

 

The news/sports caster said from where he was sitting someone in the NBA or NBPA should be ashamed of themselves and I couldnt agree more. I just thought I should let some people know since some might not and this shit is horrible.

[Crimson Platypus 0]

You would think that a few current NBA stars would recognize the impact that Mikan had on the game and pony up, but 80+% of them are spoiled bastards who don't give a shit about anyone but themselves.

[Ripper 0]

You would think that a few current NBA stars would recognize the impact that Mikan had on the game and pony up, but 80+% of them are spoiled bastards who don't give a shit about anyone but themselves.

Oh comeon for ever George Mikan there are thousand and thousand going through the same thing that don't have 30,000 a year coming into their household.

 

I hate the "NBA players are spoiled thats why they don't give their money to everyone" thing. They work hard, pay their 40% + in taxes, gotta help their hometowns so they aren't seen as sellouts, have to start charities and the such so they can stay a commodity in their community, take care of themselves and their families and their homes etc.

 

The problem is the NBA itself. They should be handling this.

[syxx2001 0]

Actually Mikan has 20,000 coming in. That means he is just above the poverty line. And considering what he did to help make the NBA the billion dollar business it is today, he shouldnt live like that. And I agree its the NBA problem, but there should be some players that help out, like Oscar said alot of them dont think about who did what to help get them to where they are, they think they are there because of their talent.

[Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly]

The NBA and the Players Association should handle this. When did they determine how much players who retired before 1965 should get? This one's kind of tough because I'm of half the mind that $20,000 a year is decent money back in the 1960's but that was 40 years ago. Also, how much money should a retired player be entitled to fairly?

[Vern Gagne 0]

In a sick unrelated note. I have Mikan in the TSM death pool.

[alfdogg 0]

You probably went and edited it once you saw this thread.

[Guest Redhawk]

1. Good job to Chris Berman for his oh-so-objective take as a reporter last night; "Some people ought to be ashamed of themselves." Come on, man, let Sportscenter tell the story, and let the viewers decide if someone should be ashamed. We don't need your help. All the more reason Berman really gets on my nerves lately, always whining about there not being any hockey and repeatedly slamming the NBA.

 

2. All it would take is for one NBA player to drop Mikan about $50,000 or $75,000 and this would be taken care of. If anything, the player who stepped up and did it would get a huge PR boost. If I were the agent for guys like Ron Artest, Jermaine O'Neal, Zach Randolph, Bonzi Wells or other guys with bad reputations, I'd jump on this opportunity and give Mikan some money.

[the pinjockey 0]

Here you go, the $100,000 they just fined Van Gundy, give it to Mikan. Problem solved, as it shows that fine money goes to decent purposes as opposed to the league's pocket and Mikan obviously gets help.

[The Czech Republic 0]

All the more reason Berman really gets on my nerves lately, always whining about there not being any hockey and repeatedly slamming the NBA.

If FOOTBALL~!!! was off the air, there'd be even more bitching, and you'd all bitch right along, so shut up.

 

Except me. I think ESPN's coverage of the NFL is horrid in all its forms.

[Guest Redhawk]

The Timberwolves should cut Mike Olowokandi and give the pre-1965 retirees his remaining salary. That way we kill two birds with one stone: justice for the old guys, and the Kandi Man is gone.

 

 

If FOOTBALL~!!! was off the air, there'd be even more bitching, and you'd all bitch right along, so shut up.

 

If football was off the air due to screwing itself over, I wouldn't bitch. At least not on national TV over and over and over again.

[Vern Gagne 0]

You probably went and edited it once you saw this thread.

I actually remembered reading that Mikan had to have his leg amputed last season. So i assumed, with his age, health, and size he wouldn't be around much longer.

[syxx2001 0]

They were talking about Bonzi on Around the Horn, whats up with him? They said the coach cant stand him or something?

[iggymcfly 0]

I have to say, it's too bad about Mikan's health problems, but if he's been getting a $20,000 a year pension for the last 40 years, he really doesn't have much to complain about. Show me a pension plan better than that you'd get for a regular job for that long, and I'll be damn surprised.

[Vern Gagne 0]

NBA players make so much more than your average accoutant. Even if during Mikan's time they didn't make much. They still performed a task, only like 1% of the population can play at a pro level.

[nogoodnick 0]

They were talking about Bonzi on Around the Horn, whats up with him? They said the coach cant stand him or something?

Bonzi was ran out of Portland for being an ass so its no surprise that hes in the doghouse again. His career is turning out like his former mentor and friend J.R. Rider. Bonzi is super talented but will probably never get over whatever his issues are.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

Hey, I went to the same college as him.

[Ripper 0]

Actually Mikan has 20,000 coming in. That means he is just above the poverty line. And considering what he did to help make the NBA the billion dollar business it is today, he shouldnt live like that. And I agree its the NBA problem, but there should be some players that help out, like Oscar said alot of them dont think about who did what to help get them to where they are, they think they are there because of their talent.

 

They ARE there because of their talent. If they didn't have talent, it wouldn't have mattered.

 

And my point is that if your job screws someone on their pension or health benefits, noone would call you or your coworkers selfish for not giving up your money to help them. Its the companies resposibility. Same thing here.

 

NBA players are employess, nothing more nothing less, and people keep acting like because they make alot of money they have to be the saviors of the world.

 

George Mikan meant alot to the world of sports in general. With that said, baseball players should pony up and get this man the help he needs.

 

And not to be a asshole, but seriously, what does social securtiy pay for the rest of america anyway? I think he has a sweeter deal than most of us have.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

George Mikan meant alot to the world of sports in general. With that said, baseball players should pony up and get this man the help he needs.

 

What does baseball have to do with any of this?

 

Seriously, I don't think the NBA owes any further obligation (how much ARE you indebted to a man for 439 games anyway). But it would be nice to see some players get together and organize a charity game or something of that nature.

[syxx2001 0]

He was using an example.

 

And never did I say NBA players should pay for it, I said the NBA and the PA.

[Crimson Platypus 0]

Oh I never meant to say that anyone, be it the NBA or the players or the NBAPA should HAVE to pay for anything. It's not like that. It's about doing the right thing for a person who is suffering because you have the means to do so. If 20 players ponied up $10k that would almost equal Mikan's entire year's worth of pension. Now is $10k a lot? Sure. But were talking about multi-millionaires here.

[iggymcfly 0]

Oh I never meant to say that anyone, be it the NBA or the players or the NBAPA should HAVE to pay for anything. It's not like that. It's about doing the right thing for a person who is suffering because you have the means to do so. If 20 players ponied up $10k that would almost equal Mikan's entire year's worth of pension. Now is $10k a lot? Sure. But were talking about multi-millionaires here.

First of all, you can't do math. If 10 players ponied up $10k, it would equal ten times his pension.

 

Second of all, why is it that former NBA players with large pensions that are the most needing of charity. That same amount of money could probably feed 500 starving children in Africa for a year.

 

Just because you recognize someone's name and face, doesn't mean you need to go out of your way to help them. A lot of NBA players do a great deal of charity work, and I think most of it's more valuable then doubling the pension of an old man who used to play basketball.

[Crimson Platypus 0]

First of all, yeah I can't do math at all.

 

Second of all he's not just "an old man who used to play basketball". He's an old man who is suffering greatly due to a debilitating disease and the lack of the financial means to get the care that he needs.

 

Third of all, I don't give two shits about starving kids in Africa. Here's an idea, move.

[Ripper 0]

First of all, yeah I can't do math at all.

 

Second of all he's not just "an old man who used to play basketball". He's an old man who is suffering greatly due to a debilitating disease and the lack of the financial means to get the care that he needs.

 

Third of all, I don't give two shits about starving kids in Africa. Here's an idea, move.

*laughs at the idea of african children just packing up and getting on a bus and driving to a better country*

 

I can't afford to move to another STATE and I am a grown man with a job.

[Guest Redhawk]

I don't think any NBA players should feel obligated to pay Mikan's bills. All I'm saying is that if one of them did pay his bills, it'd be a great PR move.

[alfdogg 0]

First of all, you can't do math. If 10 players ponied up $10k, it would equal ten times his pension.

...who doesn't know how to do math?

 

Mikan's pension is 20,000 a year. 10 X 10,000 = 100,000

 

That would be *five* times his pension, kid. If you're going to insult someone's intelligence at least have your own facts straight.

[Ripper 0]

I don't think any NBA players should feel obligated to pay Mikan's bills. All I'm saying is that if one of them did pay his bills, it'd be a great PR move.

Kobe should have been the first. He should be changing the mans bed pan with the press covering it.

 

Anything to get his taste for rape off peoples mind....allegedly....

[Crimson Platypus 0]

First of all, you can't do math. If 10 players ponied up $10k, it would equal ten times his pension.

...who doesn't know how to do math?

 

Mikan's pension is 20,000 a year. 10 X 10,000 = 100,000

 

That would be *five* times his pension, kid. If you're going to insult someone's intelligence at least have your own facts straight.

Good stuff. Of course, I never double checked his math either. Damn you math *shakes fist*

[Slayer 0]

I have a BS in math and sometimes I don't know how to do math...

[iggymcfly 0]

Oh I never meant to say that anyone, be it the NBA or the players or the NBAPA should HAVE to pay for anything. It's not like that. It's about doing the right thing for a person who is suffering because you have the means to do so. If 20 players ponied up $10k that would almost equal Mikan's entire year's worth of pension. Now is $10k a lot? Sure. But were talking about multi-millionaires here.

First of all, you can't do math. If 10 players ponied up $10k, it would equal ten times his pension.

Ok, I copied the quote wrong, but he did originally say 20 players. I multiplied properly, I just didn't successfully rewrite a number, which probably has something to do with the fact that I was up all night studying for my Chem final.

 

And also, I think my main point still stands that when making a list of the world's problems, Mikan's medical bills aren't so damn pressing that it's an absolute travesty that no one in the NBA has paid them, which was the original point of the Chris Berman story.