Forbes released figures this week showing James was the most underpaid player in the NBA last year, making $15.8 million a year. In the report, Forbes used players' salaries from 2009-10 and juxtaposed individual statistics alongside how many wins the team produced in the season. Specifically factoring into the report was sports economist David Berri's statistical formula that uses the following for each player: points, rebounds, turnovers, steals, assists and shooting percentages per team possessions in a game
The report determined NBA teams spend an average of $1.7 million per victory on a player; after all the number crunching was over, Forbes reported that James brought 27.2 wins to the Cavaliers, worth a total of $46.5 million -- giving Gilbert and the Cavaliers a net gain of $30.7 million on King James, above any other player in the NBA.
Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics were next in line as the most underpaid players.
Interestingly enough, the list was not limited to young players living off early career contracts either. Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks came in fourth place, averaging 10.3 points, 9.1 assists and 5.6 rebounds in his 16th NBA season.
So, how much solace will Gilbert get from the report? Not much. The Cavaliers are 2-8 in their last 10 games with a 7-15 overall record this year. Meanwhile, James and the Heat are coming into their own, riding a six-game winning streak with a 15-8 record on the season.
Comments (Page 1 of 2)
So we are supposed to feel sorry for someone that makes that much money (I feel ALL pro athletes are overpaid) and then tanks a series play off? Not likely. His leaving just goes to show that loyalty is to the almighty dollar, and "team spirit" is just that: a dead thing.
Yeah, Right. Smooth, you forget that he WAS A FREE AGENT and could go anywhere. Why is it ok for you to change jobs to better your situation but James can't. And as far as the " TEAM SPIRIT THINGGOES", owners are constantly moving players from team to team. Its just business and James took advantage of his Free Agency RIGHT TO GO ELSEWELL. Get over it.
Damn you Cleveland fanboys have way too much time on your hands. Will you just people just shut up already. Why would anyone want to be associated with a loser city like Cleveland. All your sports teams suck. I'm glad lebron left that rathole of a sewer.
The Superstars...Michael Jordan, Lebron, most notably Tiger Woods make 95% of their money in endorsements, not salary (or money won on the PGA). I think these 'underpaid' atheletes will skim by with the salaries they have.
His leaving just goes to show that loyalty is to the almighty dollar, and "team spirit" is just that: a dead thing.
He could have made MORE money to stay with Cleveland and yet the article says he was the most underpaid. Did Gilbert even offer LeBron a contract?
Just wondering how many people would choose Cleveland over South Beach for anything...
dude ur dumb that doesnt follow sports because if u knew anything u would know that lebron went to the heat for less money then the cavs would have given him so face it the cavs are losers without lebron they were before he came to town and they are now that he's left them stop crying u sorry cavs fan
Lebron sucks. No one likes this guy. Why do you guys write about him every day?
Get Over it, let it go. Mr. James has the right to change his job whenever he desires, unlike you all who are stuck at an dead end for being selfish. You all made Lebron, God of your city and franchise, and expected him to stay and deliver. Why are you all so selfish!
well,rod,your comment almost made sense...that was a great effort...we are all stuck in a dead end job,because we are selfish,but lebron has the right to get another"job" because he is?...huh?
everybody jump on the bron bron wagon before it too late. i used to be cavs fan but now like most of america i like the heat. i also like the lakers and celtics. if the mavericks would happen to win a championship they would be my new favorite team
That isn't really a fun way to watch basketball.. Only following a team because they win? You should care about a team because they're YOUR team, and you've supported them for a length of time, through the highs AND the lows.
kinda missed the sarcasm,did you dragon?
While I wholeheartedly agree that LeBron has as much right as any player to move to another team/situation when his contract is up, I think anyone who publicly writes that ANY of these players is UNDERpaid is an idiot. I don't care if he's just reporting what someone else said--all this does is add fuel to a fire that shouldn't be burning anyway. There isn't a profession on the face of the earth that "deserves" $15.8 mil a year.
oh my,yes....these guys have the same problems in life as we have,but money isnt one of em..
It's really interesting that the people who complain about how much athletes are paid never, never have anything to say about the people who hire and pay these athletes. And these same people make a good profit off of these highly paid athletes. How is that? Complain all day about the athletes but get real quiet when it comes to the owners.
That's why they're called "owners", quito. If you own the company, you make as much as you want to make, because IT'S YOUR COMPANY. No matter how famous the players may be, they are still EMPLOYEES OF THE COMPANY. Is it unfair that Bill Gates makes a ton of money simply because his software makes huge profits? No difference. The players' enormous egos don't change the fact that they are merely employees, and what they do with a leather ball is just a product to be marketed and sold. It's called capitalism.
He's not an employee of Bill Gates, Bob. He's Microsoft. He's the product, not the "employee." In other words, he's no different that Phil Mickelson, Tom Hanks or Brad Pitt. What owners are they "employees" of? None, not since the Hollywood studio system was overturned a looong time ago by a Supreme Court decision. Ever hear of free agency, Bob? Or professional sports teams that are publicly traded corporations without an "owner," but a board and a CEO. That's our late capitalist system, Bobby.
Congrats on a response with nearly no merit at all, jzz. NBA players are NOT employees? They receive PAYCHECKS, not profit statements. They negotiate the terms of their EMPLOYMENT with a BOSS, called the OWNER. Exactly how is that NOT being an employee? They can't just pick up and go when they want--every move has to be negotiated first. I clearly stated that the product is what the player can do on the court--that's what's being marketed. What any of this has to do with Hollywood or pro golf is beyond any sensible argument--those are clear cases of independent contractors who choose their own paths. Here's a tip--comparing apples to oranges just makes you sound, uh, "silly".
Am I to feel sorry for these athletes because they made a meer 15million or so?? Give Me A Break!!! Forbes is a rich person magazine, that just gloats on how rich people are. Paying these athletes the large amount of money they receive, ups the price of tickets, refreshments and etc., just to see a game for the common folk. As Middle Americans struggle to feed their familes, pay high insurance, high college cost to send your kids to college and racked up prices just to survive. I have no pity for these over paid athletes. Don't tell me that their jobs are dangerous and that's why they are paid so much. Think a truck driver, construction workers, and even driving your care is dangerous!!
Lebron can play basketball, but he just hasn't got it right on how to act where everyone hates his ass....should get rid of his old possee and get someone who can show him how to act....