Just last season he started in the all-star game, earned $21 million, and was on a team that had been to the conference finals six straight years.
This year he's lucky to earn $3.5 million as a reserve for the Grizzlies (the only team that actively pursued him). They were the only team willing to pay him a measly $3.5 million to play for them, just one year after he earned $21 million dollars!
Can anyone remember a fall from grace like this in any sport, this fast (with the possible exception of a debilitating injury)? In one season he'll have gone from an all-star starter earning $21 million a year to a reserve for the worst team in the league!
I think this situation may be unique in all sports history.
This year he's lucky to earn $3.5 million as a reserve for the Grizzlies (the only team that actively pursued him). They were the only team willing to pay him a measly $3.5 million to play for them, just one year after he earned $21 million dollars!
Can anyone remember a fall from grace like this in any sport, this fast (with the possible exception of a debilitating injury)? In one season he'll have gone from an all-star starter earning $21 million a year to a reserve for the worst team in the league!
I think this situation may be unique in all sports history.