Just out of curiousity, what is it that makes professional athletes think that they can pick and choose where they play? It's one thing if you're a free agent and several teams are bidding for your services, it's completely different when you haven't done anything in the league or are still under contract with somebody else.
The first thing I think of right away in this matter is Eli Manning. In the 2004 NFL Draft, the Chargers owned the number one overall pick, which was projected to be Manning prior to the draft. However before the draft, Team Manning said that Eli would not play for the Chargers if they drafted him number one overall in the draft. They wanted to play on the east coast (i.e. New York). So what did the Chargers do? They drafted him number one and later traded him to the Giants. I still love that picture, look at him holding his hands over the lighning bolts on the jersey. So I'm wondering at this point, you have not played a down in the NFL, so what gives you the right to pick and choose where you play? I heard a stat one time, I'm not sure of its accuracy, but it said that less than 1% of all college athletes play their sport at the professional level. If that's true, think how lucky you are just to be playing in the NFL. If you don't want to play for the Chargers, I can think of about 99% of the NCAA football players that would jump at that chance.
Then you have Yi Jianlian of the NBA. He was drafted sixth overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, even though they were warned not to draft him prior to the draft. He didn't want to play in Milwaukee because they didn't have a large enough Asian-American population. Again, you're lucky just to be playing in the NBA, so why does your entry franchise matter? Breaking news, if you play well enough, the Asian-American and Asian-Asian population will take notice, no matter where you are playing. Case and point, Yao Ming. He's only played in 5 games this season, due to injury, yet in fan vote he was voted as the starting center for the western conference in the All-Star Game. Miraculously, he was traded to the New Jersey Nets after one season in Milwaukee. Coincidence, I think not. Prior to the current NBA season, Yi was traded to the Washington Wizards. Playing for three teams in four NBA seasons tells me that Yi is not a good enough NBA player to pick and choose his own address, especially before even playing a game in "the Association."
Then there's "King" LeBron James. Talk about a grade-A piece of.... Is it possible to handle a free agency decision any worse? Prior to the "LeBron James: Celebration of Me" special, where he announced his new team, there were several teams (Knicks, Nets, Heat, Bulls, Mavericks, Clippers, and Cavaliers) attempting to gain his services. At the time of his TV "special" nobody, including the teams bidding for him, had any idea where he was going to sign. So on national television, six teams (including the fan base of each team), had their hearts ripped out, especially that of the Cleveland Cavaliers. In order to put a "positive" spin on things, he donated the proceeds from his "special" to charity. If nothing else, the teams involved should've known ahead of time where he was going to sign. They shouldn't have had to watch like everybody else. That is the very definition of a "dick move." However his ego wouldn't allow him to do it any other way.
This brings me to the very reason for this post, Carmelo Anthony. During the previous offseason, Anthony declined to sign a contract extension being offered by the Nuggets. If he wanted to test the free agency market, I have no problem with that. That is his right as a contracted player. However this offseason, while he is still under contract with the Nuggets, he all of a sudden starts talking about his "dream of playing with the Knicks." A couple of times this year, it appeared as though he had been traded to the New Jersey Nets. Then yesterday (Feb. 22), it's announced that Carmelo Anthony had been traded to the New York Knicks. A move he has since called a "dream come true." Again, coinicidence, I think not. The little baby cried long enough and finally got his way. It's as simple as that. It'd be one thing if he made these statements during the offseason while he is a free agent, that's his right. It's another thing completely to make these statements (wanting to play for Knicks) while under contract with the Nuggets. You signed your current deal, shut up and play it out. If you don't want to play for the Denver Nuggets, I'm sure I could find another 99% of players that would jump at that opportunity. Just be thankful that you are getting paid millions a year to play a game. You will probably never have to work a day in your life because you are good enough at this game.
To make a long story short, check your ego at the door.
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