Former NBA stars Glen Rice, Chris Webber, Mitch Richmond and Gary Payton, along with some NBA D-League standouts, graced the Araneta Coliseum last 27 August 2010 in Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines to showcase their basketball prowess.
Also present in the said event are current and former PBA players, including legendary shooter Allan ‘The Triggerman’ Caidic. And while the NBA delegation delivered what is expected of them, it was Caidic who grabbed the limelight as he connected on several three-point attempts and erupted for 54 points.
Payton, who played alongside Caidic during the game, was amazed by The Triggerman’s remarkable performance, and was quoted saying “It was an unbelievable display of outside shooting. I rarely see an exhibition like that.”
Coming from the 1996 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Caidic must feel pretty good about himself. Though The Glove is way past his prime and should be called The Mitten nowadays, he’s got less rust to shake off compared to the Pinoy gunner who has been retired for almost 10 years now. However, it’s good to note that the ballers who participated in the Asia Challenge-Philippines played little defense. Still, making 14 three-pointers is not a piece of cake.
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In his column published last 24 August 2010 in The Philippine Star, Joaquin Henson cited that Payton was running on “love of the game” and “love of competition” throughout his 18-year stint in the NBA.Contrary to the motor that powered Michael Jordan, Henson stated that The Glove’s “motivation does not come from hate or revenge.”
Good to hear that there’s another way to win NBA titles aside from loathing. But we shouldn’t forget that Jordan was the top dog of the Chicago Bulls that won six NBA championships, while Payton was playing behind Shaquille O’Neal and Dwayne Wade when he won his lone title with the Miami Heat back in 2006.
Sorry GP, but it seems Hate-o-rade works better than you’re Love Shaq approach.
To support this claim, here’s a rundown of notable multi-titled NBA champs, the number of championships they’ve won and their motivation:
Bill Russell: 11 NBA titles. Defense and teamwork win championships.
Larry Bird: 3 NBA titles. Hates seeing Magic Johnson win.
Magic Johnson: 5 NBA titles. Hates seeing Larry Bird win.
Isiah Thomas: 2 NBA titles. Held a grudge against people who underestimated him during his playing days. Also hates Jordan, Johnson and seeing the New York Knicks win.
Michael Jordan: 6 NBA titles. Like Thomas, the G.O.A.T. held a grudge against those who dismissed him. He practically hates anyone else winning other than himself.
Shaquille O’ Neal: 4 NBA titles. Used to Hate Kobe Bryant but now hates Dwight Howard.
Tim Duncan: 4 NBA titles. Overlooking the San Antonio Spurs wins championships.
Kobe Bryant: 5 NBA titles. Since he's emulating Jordan, he must be running on Hate-o-rade. Besides, he still hates Shaq as evidenced by his statements after winning his latest NBA title. Also, All-star 7-footers win championships.
So you see GP, the harsh reality is, hate wins it all. And even though a Black Eyed Peas song implies that hate only generates hate, it turns out it can also generate championship rings for NBA stars.
But for the Average Joes out there, let's just leave the hating to the professionals. After all, karma works differently for the ordinary person, and we don't got the moolah to handle what comes back to bite us when we start releasing negative stuff.
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