Some high-profile athletes end up in the news for all the wrong and reasons. Are they worth the investment?
Lakers forward Ron Artest earned himself a Game 3 suspension after throwing his right arm into the face of Mavericks guard Jose Barea in the closing seconds of the Lakers’ Wednesday night loss. Behavior issues have always been a hot topic for Artest, who famously rushed into the crowd and started swinging at fans after being hit by a rogue beer that flew from the stands back in 2004. The play at the end of Game 2 in LA did not involve any fans, nor was it nearly as dramatic as the night at The Palace in Auburn Hills, but considering the value of Artest’s contract and his value to the Lakers on the court, are these investments worth the baggage that may come with these high-profile stars?
The answer, of course, is yes.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have dominated the NFL in recent years, appearing in three of the last six Super Bowls, yet two of their biggest stars find themselves in the media spotlight this week for non-football related incidents. First came the Twitter comments from running back Rashard Mendenhall in reference to the terrorist attacks on 9/11, stating, “We'll never know what really happened. I just have a hard time believing a plane could take a skyscraper down demolition style.”
Add Hines Ward, Steelers All-Pro wide receiver, and his run in with the police last night after jumping into a car that had been reported stolen and that’s enough to give any franchise owner a serious headache.
However, when you compare these two legendary franchises you’ll find one glowing similarity – championships. These athletes may have their issues inside and outside of the game but when it comes down to winning, they produce a focus and intensity that no normal human being can even understand, let alone execute. Maybe that’s why they’re a little uneven. Whatever the case may be, these guys are paid to win and when you combine the trophies hoisted over each of their heads in the last few years, I’d say they’ve got a pretty solid handle on that.
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