Gilbert Arenas cites ‘family and friends’ as worst part of being an NBA player
Former star Gilbert Arenas gave an insight into the harsh reality of the effect friends and family have on an NBA player's finances.
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Gilbert Arenas suggests friends and family drain out the finances of NBA stars
The life of an NBA player starts with being thrust into the limelight at a fairly young age. Then they have to navigate the perils of figuring out how to manage their work, finances, endorsements, and more. During this time, they generally lean on family, loved ones, and friends to guide them.
However, as per former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, sometimes those relationships can be a bit daunting. The former All-Star was discussing life as an NBA player on his Gil’s Arena show.
Family and friends is the worst part of being a pro because you become everyone’s savior. You’re superman now. If you go back and look at all your finances, your finances are spent mostly on your friends and family. You can cut a woman off fast as s**t and get a new one. It’s hard to get a friend that you grew up with from 5th grade.
Gilbert Arenas said
Gilbert Arenas added that the 5th-grade friend and family members cannot be cut off from players’ lives, which is why they end up being the ones responsible for their dwindling finances.
Gilbert Arenas says Family and Friends are the Worst part of being an NBA Player
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The former three-time All-Star explained that when it comes to women in their lives, players can move on if a woman is toxic. However, they cannot do the same with childhood friends and family as they become a part of their core.
Several stories of NBA stars losing most of their money have proven Arenas’ point. He also pointed out that the NBA players who managed to keep their money do not have any of their childhood friends or in some cases, even their family, around them anymore.
Gilbert Arenas dismisses co-panelists suggestion of LeBron James and his friends thriving
Former player Brandon Jennings cut in between and gave the example of LeBron James as an example to counter what Gilbert Arenas said. When Jennings stated that James had built an empire with his friends, Arenas was quick to make a correction.
They wasn’t his friends he grew up with. These guys came together with one thing in mind. We need to build…… That’s very different.”
Gilbert Arenas said
James’ friends Rich Paul and Maverick Carter were not his childhood friends. Instead, they were people who came together with a common goal of building on the superstar’s brand, which is now worth more than $1 billion. The three of them have pushed each other to be better and it has resulted in all of them succeeding.
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According to Arenas, that is unlike how childhood friends behave. He feels they stay on like ‘leeches’. In most cases, they drain the finances of NBA stars, who then end up with a lot less than what they earned throughout their lives.
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Joseph Varghese
(2323 Articles Published)