Sad Tale of Former Knicks/Celtics Guard Ray Williams

[ProfessaPackMan]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/The-sad-tale-of-Ray-Williams-10-year-NBA-vet-no?urn=nba,253262

And no one really knows HOW he got to this.

[Cebby]

Re: Sad Tale of Former Knicks/Celtics Guard Ray Williams

And no one really knows HOW he got to this.

I know how he got to this point.

He invested his money poorly.

According to this he signed a four year 500,000 dollar contract that today would be worth 1.75 million.

That would basically put his first contract of four years at the salary of a college degree earner's median over 20 years of employment.

Sorry if I can't dwell up too much sympathy. Assuming the remaining 6 years of his contract were at the same rate as his first four, then Mr. Ray Williams probably deserves to be homeless. Since his second contract was likely higher than his rookie deal, he should be permanently tattooed with an "I'm with stupid" t-shirt outfit.

According to his total contract listing on your link with the last year of the contract's inflation calculator, he earned 3.7 million dollars. If invested properly he should have earned around 10+ million. Given the difference in adjustment per year, you can multiply those numbers by 1.5 to 2.

[55]

Re: Sad Tale of Former Knicks/Celtics Guard Ray Williams

I know how he got to this point.

He invested his money poorly.

According to this he signed a four year 500,000 dollar contract that today would be worth 1.75 million.

That would basically put his first contract of four years at the salary of a college degree earner's median over 20 years of employment.

Sorry if I can't dwell up too much sympathy. Assuming the remaining 6 years of his contract were at the same rate as his first four, then Mr. Ray Williams probably deserves to be homeless. Since his second contract was likely higher than his rookie deal, he should be permanently tattooed with an "I'm with stupid" t-shirt outfit.

According to his total contract listing on your link with the last year of the contract's inflation calculator, he earned 3.7 million dollars. If invested properly he should have earned around 10+ million. Given the difference in adjustment per year, you can multiply those numbers by 1.5 to 2.

Spot on, spot on.

I have no sympathy for anyone who was ever worth seven figures and is now broke. None.

[ParisB]

Re: Sad Tale of Former Knicks/Celtics Guard Ray Williams

Spot on, spot on.

I have no sympathy for anyone who was ever worth seven figures and is now broke. None.

Werd. It would be one thing if he suffered through tragic unfortunate circumstances that were out of his control. But c'mon, there's no reason to feel sorry for him making that much money and not being able to manage it. Same thing with other high profile athletes like Tyson or Holyfield who end up going bankrupt because of lavish spendings and poor money management.

I know people who make $45k and live very comfortably.

[Jonesy]

Re: Sad Tale of Former Knicks/Celtics Guard Ray Williams

It's sad anyone ends up homeless but like the guys have already said, it's his own doing at the end of the day. He's earned more money than the majority of people in his lifetime and ended up broke. If he would have invested wisely etc (easier said than done i know) he should have been able to retire in comfort at a young age and even provide a good life for his family and the next generation as well but he blew it.

[Gibbz]

Re: Sad Tale of Former Knicks/Celtics Guard Ray Williams

Werd. It would be one thing if he suffered through tragic unfortunate circumstances that were out of his control. But c'mon, there's no reason to feel sorry for him making that much money and not being able to manage it. Same thing with other high profile athletes like Tyson or Holyfield who end up going bankrupt because of lavish spendings and poor money management.

I know people who make $45k and live very comfortably.

Some people grew up in different circumstances and don't have the slightest idea how to manage money. Even if it ultimately comes down to bad decisions by them, being homeless is still a really sad life.

I'm sympathetic for that kind of situation.

[Eman5805]

Re: Sad Tale of Former Knicks/Celtics Guard Ray Williams

Some people are just bad with money. They have friends they wanna "keep it real" with and they just make bad decisions. Or since they grew up with nothing, they feel like that much money is just endless.

It's quite unfortunate.

[Jeffx]

Re: Sad Tale of Former Knicks/Celtics Guard Ray Williams

Co-sign on everything said. You cats are preaching THE TRUTH.

It's not just pro athletes either - look at all these Hollywood entertainers and musicians with money/tax woes. Do you lose all common sense when you hit it big?

Where's his older brother Gus? Couldn't he help Ray get back on his feet?

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Sad Tale of Former Knicks/Celtics Guard Ray Williams

Hold up, how ya'll come to the conclusion that I was sympathetic to the dude? LOL

[ProjectRipCity]

Re: Sad Tale of Former Knicks/Celtics Guard Ray Williams

Hold up, how ya'll come to the conclusion that I was sympathetic to the dude? LOL

Uh look at the title.

I kind of feel bad for pretty much anyone that is homeless...Even if they made really bad mistakes. It would be hard to live in a car...Or even on the street. This guy has a lot of regrets of the bad choices he has made..

[NovaStar]

Re: Sad Tale of Former Knicks/Celtics Guard Ray Williams

I hate to see this. I grew up in NY watching Ray, his brothers Gus, Sam, and Scap (to me the best of the bunch) play ball at my neighborhood center. I used to talk to him as a young kid, he was cool. It amazes me that he is in this situation. Gus, had financial problems as well, that is probably why there is no life line coming from Gus. I hope Ray works it out.

[spit_bubble]

Re: Sad Tale of Former Knicks/Celtics Guard Ray Williams

...Sorry if I can't dwell up too much sympathy. Assuming the remaining 6 years of his contract were at the same rate as his first four, then Mr. Ray Williams probably deserves to be homeless. Since his second contract was likely higher than his rookie deal, he should be permanently tattooed with an "I'm with stupid" t-shirt outfit...

Spot on, spot on.

I have no sympathy for anyone who was ever worth seven figures and is now broke. None.

Werd. It would be one thing if he suffered through tragic unfortunate circumstances that were out of his control. But c'mon, there's no reason to feel sorry for him making that much money and not being able to manage it...

Pathetic.

So we should hate him because he's homeless?

Just disgraceful...

But you have your reward... Enjoy it while it lasts (which ain't very long).

[Cebby]

Re: Sad Tale of Former Knicks/Celtics Guard Ray Williams

Pathetic.

So we should hate him because he's homeless?

Just disgraceful...

But you have your reward... Enjoy it while it lasts (which ain't very long).

I don't hate him. Hell, I didn't even think about him since I posted that.

There's a big difference between hating someone and not feeling sorry for them. If my friend has unprotected fornication with a prostitute, I'm not going to feel sorry for him if he contracts a disease but I wouldn't hate him.

[spit_bubble]

Re: Sad Tale of Former Knicks/Celtics Guard Ray Williams

I don't hate him. Hell, I didn't even think about him since I posted that.

There's a big difference between hating someone and not feeling sorry for them. If my friend has unprotected fornication with a prostitute, I'm not going to feel sorry for him if he contracts a disease but I wouldn't hate him.

And you sure aren't showing any love either.

As has been said: Those who don't gather with Me, scatters.

It's remarkable that you can't even see what you are. It's one of the great mysteries to me: the darkness.

[Cebby]

Re: Sad Tale of Former Knicks/Celtics Guard Ray Williams

And you sure aren't showing any love either.

Why would I show him love?

It's remarkable that you can't even see what you are. It's one of the great mysteries to me: the darkness.

What? Is this some emo song lyric?