RE: PERVIS

["Nissen, David" <DNissen@ventnds1.telstra.com.au>]

Hold on a second Dorine,

I agree that it is a pain that Pervis is taking up cap room and it sure
would be nice if there was a system set up to take care of players with
long term injuries that included removing them from the payroll of the
team they play for, but everything  paved in gold for the athlete ?
surley you jest.

** SOAP BOX ALERT ***

Yes some atheletes make a mint (given that most NBA players put up with
working conditions and a lack of basic rights that most of us wouldn't
tolerate from an employer, I think that is only fair), just as do some
buisiness people, programers, thespians etc.  But if you are not one of
the lucky few, you may well end up sacrificing your childhood and much
of your education simply to end up on the sporting scrap heap.

	"Sir, your resume lists you as a basket ball player who failed
to get drafted but has had numerous short stints in lesser leagues.  You
flunked your last year of college, you are 32 years old and have never
had a steady job.  So, other than needing to support 3 kids, could you
tell me again why we should hire you."

And what about those that do make it.  It's not all roses. You have to
be prepared to move your life and family at the slightest trade whim,
you may be expected to play while injured, you will have to save enough
money to cover the constant travel and to protect yourself and your
family from being constantly in the public eye and face the fact that
your working life is going to be around a third that of a normal person,
if you are lucky.  Wooops, carreer ending injury!  hope the wife has a
job.

** END SOAP BOX ALERT **

The simple truth is that apart from some rare and arguably over paid
exceptions, teams don't sign players to long contracts because it is in
the players interests.  They do it because they feel it is in the teams
best interests.  If teams feel it is too much of a risk to sign  players
long term, they can always offer short term contracts and take their
chances with the free agent market.

 ----------
From: Dorine Pratt
To: Boston Celtics List
Subject: PERVIS
Date: Wednesday, 22 April 1998 10:53AM


I just don't see how the Celts will get rid of Pervis unless he agrees
to retire and take a position with the team, as it was rumored Pitino
already offered him and was turned down.  Who would take a chance on him
like the Celts did?  If you ask me there should be some protections
(nothing against Pervis) written into contracts regarding players who
are injured so often and so long they are useless to the team paying
their salaries.  Most of these guys are college graduates, or at least
they used to be, and hopefully could be gainfully employed elsewhere
even though they aren't -well enough- to play basketball.  Perhaps some
form of limited disability that wouldn't hogtie the team.  Pervis has
given the team a few games here and there and then he's back on the
bench.  There have been many examples of that in the league over the
years.  Those of us with regular jobs have to go on partial disability
with a long illness or absence from our jobs, why is everything paved in
gold for the athlete?  I think he should have the good grace to retire.
Dorine