5 Worst Role Models in the NBA
I’ve long been skeptical of the notion that anyone should look up to athletes in professional sports leagues, the NBA included, as role models. Too common is the instance of a superstar like Kobe Bryant or LeBron James being idolized by millions for his exploits on the court, only to find out that (gasp!) he’s a mistake-prone human being who does unsavory things both within and without the public eye.
Who knew selfish stupidity and lawless behavior wasn’t just for mere mortals?
That’s not to say that there aren’t big names in basketball today who seem to set positive examples for the nation at large—guys like Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, Pau Gasol and Tim Duncan, to name a few.
How expansive that potential pool of positive influences is remains to be seen. As for those on the other side of the coin, there’s no shortage of nincompoops in The Association from whose idiocy I would encourage every parent to shield their children’s eyes, or at least allow them to look with some context attached.
Here, then, are five players whose poor attitude and/or past mistakes render them to be less-than-ideal example setters for people of all ages.
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