Thousands of holiday shoppers will pay full price for an NBA jersey with the name of a popular player stitched across the back. They hope the gift is appreciated in the years, or weeks, before it succumbs to obsolescence.
Before that player is traded or becomes a free agent and signs with a different franchise. It’s the way of major American sports, and all too typical in the NBA.
There are exceptions, one being Stephen Curry. If he ever were traded from the Warriors or nudged into free agency, no matter his age, CEO Joe Lacob might have to leave the Bay Area and join former team owner Chris Cohan in pariah’s dungeon.
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Another who seems destined to remain with one team for the duration of his career – is Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.
If Steve Kerr has his way, neither Curry (for selfish reasons) and Antetokounmpo (for sentimental reasons) will ever wear another jersey.
“Just doing so with one team, I don’t look at it as a burden,” Kerr told reporters Tuesday night prior to the Warriors' loss to the Bucks in Milwaukee. “I look at it as something really special, where there is a bond that is forged between the fan base and that player that lasts, in many cases, a lifetime. Kobe with the Lakers. Reggie Miller with Indiana. Larry Bird in Boston.
“I love seeing it, and I hope Giannis is here his whole career. I hope Steph is in Golden State his whole career.”
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have three players – Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Curry – who were drafted more than 10 years ago and have spent their entire careers as teammates. That’s practically impossible in today’s NBA, where there is significant movement every summer.
Only three other players have been with the same team for more than 10 seasons: Damian Lillard is in his 11th season with the Portland Trail Blazers, Bradley Beal is in his 11th with the Washington Wizards and Miami godfather Udonis Haslem is in his 20th – and final, he says – season with the Heat.
There’s an excellent chance that Mavericks chairman Mark Cuban will do his part to ensure Luka Doncic never leaves Dallas – just as he did with Dirk Nowitzki, who spent 19 seasons with the franchise.
Those are the exceptions. Free agency and player empowerment – power to both – have led to unprecedented roster turnover among All-Star caliber players.
Former MVPs LeBron James and Kevin Durant are with their third franchises. Former MVPs James Harden and Russell Westbrook are with their fourth teams. Former MVP Derrick Rose is with his fifth team.
Kerr was asked about the “burden” of being the face of a franchise, which comes with the territory, particularly when a star is identified with the same franchise for a long period of time.
“I don’t think it’s a burden,” he said. “It’s something to celebrate.
“Great players . . . carry that burden wherever they play. LeBron is a good example. Every team that he plays for, they’re expected to compete for the title. That’s why these guys are the best players in the world. Because they win.”
That’s the common denominator, regardless of the sport.
Tom Brady, a New England icon because he embodied Patriots success, is now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; he won Super Bowls with both teams. Peyton Manning won a Super Bowl with the Colts, and then another with the Broncos. Joe Montana finished his career with the Kansas City Chiefs but won four Super Bowls with the 49ers.
Justin Verlander went to two World Series as the ace of the Detroit Tigers, and three more World Series as the ace of the Houston Astros. Of nine MLB players with more than 10 seasons with one team, three – Cincinnati’s Joey Votto, Colorado’s Charlie Blackmon and the Angels’ Mike Trout – have yet to reach a World Series.
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That Reds jersey with Votto’s name might be safe, as might the Angels jersey with Trout on the back. Good gifts for the baseball fan.
Neither, however, should be considered as safe as a Warriors jersey with “Curry” on the back. If you can find one.