Nov. 8, 2004
I read some disturbing quotes from Minnesota Timberwolves veteran Latrell Sprewell recently. Here's a guy making $14.6 million a season to play in the NBA, yet he claims that he didn't know why he'd try to help the Timberwolves win a world championship because they aren't doing anything for him in terms of a contract extension.

	Sprewell

The St. Paul Pioneer Press quoted Sprewell as saying, "Why would I want to help them win a title? They're not doing anything for me. I've got a lot at risk here. I've got my family to feed."

Don't you think a lot of families would like to live off the .6 in Sprewell's contract? Come on, are you kidding me, $600,000 a year can get you lots of groceries and lots of fine meals out.

NBA commissioner David Stern -- in my opinion, he's the best leader of the four professional sports leagues -- criticized Sprewell's remarks, saying he expects NBA players to play hard.

I can't believe a pro athlete would make a comment like that. Then again, look at Sprewell's actions in the past, like the choking incident with P.J. Carlesimo, his former coach with the Golden State Warriors. All Carlesimo wanted was for Sprewell to do what he was supposed to do in practice.

Following the instructions of a coach shouldn't be that difficult. Instead, Sprewell abused Carlesimo.

Don't you think a lot of families would like to live off the .6 in Sprewell's contract?

Then there was the recent problem with Sprewell and a police officer. Sprewell, who was the passenger, received a misdemeanor for interfering during a traffic stop when the driver was pulled over. Sprewell claimed he was mistreated in the incident.

It's great to see guys like Tim Duncan and Grant Hill do it the right way. They're classy players whom kids can look up to. Unfortunately, we hear so much about the negatives and the guys who do it the wrong way.

Shame on you, Mr. Sprewell, for your comments and actions. Then again, I'm not shocked at all.

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.