donemilio21 wrote:Did he run out of money ? He retired 13 years ago having made over $100M in his career, and now at aged 52 he wants to coach ? I really don't get these former players trying to get coaching or front office jobs. You get to retire in your mid 30s with millions in the bank, and you want to continue to work ? I feel sorry for them honestly that they cannot find anything else in life to make them happy.
Not sure what job you have, I work IT, and while I don't absolute hate it, it's not very passionate for me, if I had a career in as a basketball player, the next logical move is to work for a network like ESPN/ABC or TNT, or coach, then GM, then own a team. Obviously some people like MJ can shoot straight up to the top. Anyways, this is not about putting millions in the bank, and then just live off it for the 50 some years of your life. If you have character to make it in TV like a Barkley or Jalen Rose, or the mind to coach like a Steve Nash (assuming he does atleast for offense), then why would you rot away retired for the rest of your life? I'm sure Payton some time between being a player and a TV personality, and it gave him time to reflect, am I going to wake up every day with nothing to do really, for the next 40-50 years, or am I going to do something chalenging?
Remember, there are the guys like Andrew Wiggins who are clearly not passionate for the game and about evolving themselves, then you have the MJ, Kobe, Lebrons, and Gary Payton. He's going to come into an organization and transform their defensive mindset, perhaps teach small players how to post, whatever he's learned in 30+ years around the game, he'll a sea of basketball knowledge. Keep in mind, he's played for KC Jones, George Karl, Paul Westphal, Nate McMillan, Phil Jackson, Doc Rivers, Stan Van Gundy, and Pat Riley. I can only imagine what he's been able to pick up from this pool of coaches who have won 21 NBA champions as coach, and even more in other roles (player, GM, etc..). Feeling sorry for Payton for wanting to take on new challenges in his 50s instead of just sulk in his fortune is stupid. We should all strive to find something we are passionate about like Payton is with basketball.