I didn't have a big-time contract out of college like most athletes. In fact I had no contract at all.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Maybe I'm old-school, but I always thought you honor a contract.
As I look back on the day I signed my professional contract in 1973, I've never gone to sleep wondering if I could pay the bills or take care of my family. That's what basketball has done for me. It's given me the greatest of thrills from high school to college to the Olympics to coaching to broadcasting.
And my rookie contract, my first rookie contract was for $5,000.
The NBA wasn't a big deal at that time, so it wasn't really in my career plans.
I didn't think I'd be getting a contract at 34. That wasn't in my mind.
I've never believed in tying myself up in a long-range contract, and I've been very outspoken on that subject.
And my father didn't have money for me to go to college. And at that particular time they didn't have black quarterbacks, and I don't think I could have made it in basketball, because I was only 5' 11". So I just picked baseball.
Suddenly I had a contract and I was earning lots of money.
I didn't make enough money in my sport to retire.
I've got a contract that keeps me around a few more years.