NBA Players Feel the Financial Pinch

It appears that the NBA lockout is going to kill the upcoming season. This means players are not going to be getting their usual paychecks in November. As a result, many players have looked at the option of playing overseas to replace their income. Others have had to cut back on luxuries, become more thrifty, and heaven forbid, even entertained the idea of getting a regular job.

I recently heard that Delonte West had applied for a job at Home Depot. I thought it was a joke at first, but I have seen it reported from several news sources. I'm not sure if it was just a publicity stunt, but Home Depot does have a history of employing athletes as they prepare for the Olympics.

I have mixed feelings about this. First of all, I admire someone who can swallow their pride and take a massive pay cut and is willing to work at jobs that other players may feel are below them. At the same time, I can't imagine a new employee making more than $20 an hour there, so it makes me wonder if he couldn't just find some sort of endorsement deal that would pay better. (Never mind-I just remembered that he has tattoos on his neck and a criminal record).

What really freaks me out about this story is the fact that a guy who was playing in the NBA just months ago and has 7 years experience in the league appears to be out of money. Even if you are the worst player in the NBA and sit on the bench every game and make the minimum salary, you should still be able to save enough for a situation like this.

I should not criticize others for how they handle money. I'm no Mark Cuban. I have, however, learned to live modestly since I have as many kids to support as Shawn Kemp. I'm just shocked when I hear that guys who were making good money for years are broke. He must have attended the MC Hammer school of money management.

I thought I might be of service to NBA players who find themselves in a tight spot when it comes to their finances. Since I learned how to scrape by years ago, I can share some suggestions for NBA players who may be feeling a pinch on their lifestyle as a result of the lockout.

* Trade your Mercedes in for a Kia Optima (the official car of the NBA)

* Order your soft drinks with less ice to get more for your  money.

* Marry a Kardashian. I hear they are loaded and there are still a couple left.

* Try to break into the movies like Kareem, Shaq, Rick Fox, and Gheorghe Muresan did.

* If you have a posse or entourage, you may want let some of them go since it it hard to afford parasites when times are tough.

* Go back to school and finish your degree if you never did.

* Pray the lockout ends soon.