Smush Whining About Money

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">INDIANAPOLIS ? Smush Parker will start another game at guard for the Lakers tonight, 137 consecutive and counting.

Few would have predicted he'd still be around, much less starting, when the Lakers signed him out of relative obscurity two summers ago. His play over the next few months will determine if he comes back next season.

An unrestricted free agent come July, Parker has performed at an improved level recently, averaging enough points (16.5) over the last two games to make Coach Phil Jackson acknowledge, "He's playing much better."

There's still plenty of evaluating to be done. Parker is averaging 11.5 points, matching his average last season. His assists are down from 3.7 to 2.3 a game, as are his minutes (33.8 last season to 30.9), steals (1.7 to 1.4) and field-goal percentage, slightly (44.7% to 44.2%).

"We keep looking at the whole quality of Smush's game ? his leadership on the court, his defense, the things that he does that help other teammates get into their game," Jackson said. "His defense, which includes steals and up-the-court pressure, that's all areas that Smush has a great opportunity, a great potential. He's still going game-to-game working on that."

Parker, 25, was highly ineffective earlier in the season, so much so that Orlando Magic Coach Brian Hill ripped his team when Parker scored 18 points in the third quarter of the Lakers' 106-93 victory over the Magic in December. "We can't be giving the Smush Parkers of the league quarters like that," Hill said.

Jackson revealed Thursday that Parker, in the final year of a contract that pays him $798,000 this season, was bothered by contract issues at the start of the season. He makes significantly less than several Lakers guards, none of whom are starters: Aaron McKie ($2.5 million), Shammond Williams ($1.75 million), Sasha Vujacic ($974,000) and even rookie backup Jordan Farmar ($939,000).

Parker also noticed when forward Brian Cook signed a three-year, $10.5-million contract extension in October, Jackson said.

"I think there was a period this fall when he was curious about the fact that Cookie got re-signed to a contract, there were some things going on, just the basic understanding of, 'Hey, this is what the NBA's about. This is the rules of our game.'

"He's making a salary that's by and large four times or five times less than a person that starts in that position. It may not be recompense or reward for what he's doing for it, but yet it's a valuable opportunity for him in the future that bodes really well."</div>

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I hate players with this attitude. You signed a contract so shut your mouth and let things work themselves out. If Smush is hardup about being underpaid him and his agent need to get out and sign some marketing deals. There are plenty of opportunities in LA for Laker players to cash in. Hell, Chris Mihm has his own shoe line with Pony.

 

<div class="quote_poster">notMuchgame Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">To be fair he didn?t really say anything. That was phil saying that.</div>

The fact PJax spoke to the media about bothers me. PJax has always used the media to get his point across to players. It's not the first time Smush has been disgruntled about viewing himself as underpaid.

 

<div class="quote_poster">AllNet Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I bet Smush wants MLE type money, he has a point though. He deserves to get paid. Mainly after who else on the Lakers have gotten extensions.</div>

My gut tells me Smush is going to slack off even more if he gets a big payday. He's not the long term solution at PG for the Lakers, and wouldn't make the roster on most teams in the league. The only reason he's had some success in LA is the Triangle offense. It hides his inability to make decisions a normal PG needs to make. Smush is basically a slashing, SG in a PG's body. There's not much demand for players like him around the league, plus Smush is already 25 years old.

He would be a 3rd string starter on most teams in the league, and deserves to be paid as one. $2M to $2.5M is the max I'd pay him.

Jordan Farmar is already taking his minutes in crunch time and has a better grasp of the offense.

 

I think Smush is more of a 3rd string pg, I think he could be a legit 2nd string. I think he deserves his money, but complaining doesn't do anything about it.