More Crying

Two pro athletes who are looking like selfish brats: The Pistons' Allen Iverson, and Jay Cutler, formerly of the Denver Broncos.

Cutler was upset because the Broncos looked into trading him for Matt Cassell, who stepped in (quite nicely, by the way) for New England's Tom Brady last season. Poor baby. Never mind that trades are a part of the business. Never mind that Cutler was only 17-20 as a starter for Denver. Never mind that Broncos owner Pat Bowlen later said that Cutler "is the man around here." Cutler's wittle feewings were hurt; he didn't feel the love, and he wanted out.

The Broncos finally traded Cutler to the Chicago Bears.

Iverson came to Detroit from Denver after being traded for Chauncy Billups. Now Denver sits in 1st place in the Northwest Division while the Pistons are floundering in the Central Division, a whopping 25 games behind division-leader Cleveland, and clinging to the Eastern Conference's 7th spot for the playoffs.

Iverson never fit in as a starter for the Pistons, and so now they have him coming off the bench. Now Iverson is complaining about his playing time, and says he'd rather retire than be a non-starter. "I can’t be effective playing this way. I’m not used to it." Poor baby. Never mind that the Pistons couldn't win with him in the starting line-up, or that Richard Hamilton was simply the better player. Never mind that the Pistons went into a tailspin with Iverson, while Billups has led Denver to 50 wins faster than any time in their NBA history.

Like that guy in the old commercial said when somebody pointed out that there's no "I" in "team": "Yeah, ain't no 'we' either!"

For these two guys, it's not about doing what you have to do to make the team better. It's all about "me." Winning championships? Who cares. If I can't be a starter, if I can't be "The Franchise," I'm taking my ball and going home. Play a supporting role? Actually battle for a starting position? Are you kidding?

Dudes. Quit crying. Go out and play ball. Get in where ya fit in.

Take note of how Kurt Warner of the Arizona Cardinals went about his business when the Cards drafted quarterback Matt Leinart out of USC and gave him the starting spot. Warner didn't whine; he supported Leinart, then won the job back and led his team to the Super Bowl.

Take a long, hard look at how Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce worked it last year for the World Champion Boston Celtics.

Leave your egos at the door. Please. You ain't all that.