NBA Money

College players are now deciding whether or not to declare for the upcoming Draft.

Last night I saw the movie, Blind Side, for the first time. Becuase it was a true story of an orphans rise to the NFL, it was very intreging. To go from being homeless to a millionaire is quite a shift in reality.

For many college basketball players, the reality of bringing home a high paying salary is all about timing and talent. If you can be talented enough to get picked in the first round, you may just be a millionaire over night. It all depends on the talent around you. Some draft years are heavily loaded with talent so your stock my rise or fall depending.

I couldn't imagine opening up my online banking to see a six figure wad of cash on my screen. I probably never will in my lifetime. But pro sports is a very lucrative business.

It's too bad when money can go to a players head. Some Utah fans accuse Carlos Boozer of being only in it for the money. His speedy flee from Cleveland in 2003 left many NBA fans unsettled of his character. With an injury plagued stint at Utah, Boozer still got his $12 million and change every year. However, with his back to all-star form this year, not many people bring up the past. Come this summer though, Boozer will be a free agent. If history repeats itself, he may follow the money again. Some say New York is interested in Boozer and has lots of cap space to give him an ego-stroking contract.

It's not rare to see a pro athlete who made millions in their career to blow it all. If any of us have seen an episode of MTV Cribs, you'd know just how lavish they live! Sure, if I had the money, I'd have a sweet house too. On the other hand, some take it too far. Stephon Marbury struck gold with the Knicks and decided that he needed his own private jet. Antoine Walker, who played for the Celtics and Timberwolves, has huge gambling debts. As one of the famous raps states, "Mo money, mo problems."

Financial advisors can really help and many players hire them to manage all their "bling." Because hey, it's easier for an athletes advisor to tell their 2nd cousin "no" to a hand out than themselves.