A championship remains the ultimate dream for many NBA players. Damian Lillard recently revealed that he’d rather win a ring than go diamond as a rapper. Thus, for those who like to leave their stamp in the league, winning is everything. However, there are also examples of players preferring financial security. Having already worked hard for the NBA grind, they need the comforts that last till late in life. To have privileges, many NBA players opt for a lot of cash and leave winning scenarios. 

Stephen Curry need not address such charges, he has both his bag and the chips. But one of his former teammates lays it into those who are choosing money over the titles.

Money over the ring, or ring over money?

With the way the current contracts are shaping up, role players like Dillon Brooks are getting paid around $20 million a year. Those who are borderline All-star can earn double that amount. However, there are players who even sacrifice money for winning. 

Russell Westbrook, who is worth at least around Brooks even now, signed a minimum deal that pays him below $5 million a year. While this sacrifice is huge, Brodie is a three-figure millionaire by now and has successful business strategies. 

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But then there are players who are young and can miss out on a big payday if they opt to be on a roster with a lot of top-tier players. However, for Stephen Jackson, winning takes precedence over cash.

Shooting a selfie video from his car, the former Spurs champion said, ”I am tired of hearing this sh*t on Instagram coming from basketball players. That’s why a lot of you are losers. If you ain’t come from nothing then you would understand why people say they would rather take $50 million and a championship. Because I care about being the best at the gift God gave me.”

Then the former sharpshooter went into why he would sacrifice $50 million.

Stephen Jackson urges ballers to chase championships

Then he stated,”$50 million is enough for people who came from nothing. We know how to make that work. That $50 million is like $200 million to us. It goes to show the people who struggled and the people who did not struggle.” He added, ”Nah, I’ll take the $50 million and that championship, but you are not a winner, you don’t want to be the best. you just want to maintain and just go on. That’s the difference between a lot of champions and y’all. You made your money but you were not the best at nothing”.

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The Forward who won a championship with Spurs in 2003, has also played with Stephen Curry, but it was when he was just a rookie. He asked to move away from a young team and get into a winning situation. 

He has always loved winning but is his approach feasible for many young players?

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