Former Chicago Bulls guard Jay Williams opened some eyes in a visit with the Brilliant Idiots podcast. He detailed some outrageous activities witnessed during his tenure with the NBA franchise, including rock, paper, scissors games that featured a winner’s pot of $20,000.
According to SI.com, Williams discussed the dangers young men face when suddenly thrust into a world in which money is suddenly no longer an issue. There are many pitfalls, which he detailed, including high-stakes games of chance.
“Think about gambling to the next degree, like rock, paper, scissors, $20,000 … And don’t get yourself down in the dice game … all the sudden you’re down $100,000 and you’re like ‘Bet it back, rock, paper, scissors’”
Apparently, gambling with NBA legend and notorious gambler Michael Jordan isn’t good for the pocketbook.
When suddenly faced with millions of dollars, losing $100,000 doesn’t seem like a huge deal. However, many young men don’t realize how fleeting this money can be and end up penniless after their careers are finished.
Williams’ revelation may seem shocking to most average folks, but it’s not something new in the NBA. Players have been doing this kind of thing for years, but then again, players have fallen into financial hardship for just as long after wasting their money on these frivolous games.
Let’s hope Williams’ discussion sparks at least one young player to think twice about making a similar mistake.