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Many NBA players are unprepared for the large sums of money they're given when they first come into the league. The money they're given completely changes their relationships with family and friends they've known their entire lives.
Jackie MacMullan of ESPN spoke with multiple people about this dynamic. Longtime NBA agent Archie Goodwin said:
“People don't understand what these guys in the African-American community go through. It's so hard for them to separate themselves from the people they grew up with. It leads to withdrawal, anxiety. There's guilt about turning their backs on people they care about but who aren't good influences in their lives. There's this pressure of, ‘I have to succeed because so many people are counting on me.' And then there's all the people with their hands out because everyone wants money.”
Anyone can relate to how these players might feel. Everyone wants to help out their family and friends when possible. For players, they feel obligated to stay connected with people they've known their whole lives, even if that spells trouble for them.
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Charles Barkley learned this first-hand this when he got to the league. He had this to say about his experience:
“Money ruins all your relationships. No matter what you do for your family, it's never enough. All your friends think because you're rich, you should bail them out of every situation. The only time I had any peace and quiet was on the basketball court.”
It's unfortunate that this stress is put on young players when they enter the league, but hopefully, experiences like Barkley's can help steer the next generation in the right direction.
