For the Love of the Game?
Tyler Cowen points to this bit from Slate on John Amaechi:
He [Amaechi] writes that the pros play the game for a lot of reasons—money, fame, groupies, self-esteem—but that very few NBA players love basketball. “The fan sitting at home … wants us to love the game like he does,” he writes. “If he knew why we really play the game, for the most part, he might not love the game. He might not even watch it.” The average fan, gay or straight, will probably find that contention more troubling than a former player’s homosexuality.
Does any fan actually think NBA players love basketball? I sure don’t. Some players do, for sure. Reggie Miller always struck me as one. Scottie Pippen must love the game to try to come back now, since he certainly doesn’t need money or fame. Love of the game is one reason March Madness is better than the NBA Finals.
