Been thinking about Jose Calderon. The Raptors point guard was traded to Charlotte the other day. They told him he was out. He finished in Toronto. But then Michael Jordan, who runs the Bobcats, put the nix on the deal. He wouldn't sign off on it. So Calderon remains a Rappie.
In fairness to "his airness" Jordan did the right thing. Calderon is a servicable player. But with a 9 million dollar a year sticker price he's not worth it. For half that price maybe.
Now, it's hard to feel sorry for Calderon. He'll cash his 9 mill per. But if the Raptors can't find another team to cut a deal with this guy has to show for work every day for a company he knows doesn't want or need him anymore. Not a good situation.
I had that happen to me once. Told that I wasn't needed anymore but we want you to stick around for a while longer. No cut in pay. No change in work conditions. But everything is different. You have a hard time sleeping. You hate getting up. You despise going in to work for an outfit that saw fit to discard you but they wont cut the cord. Not just yet. Next week? Next month? Next year? Everyday you're wating to be the target of a drive-by. You know it's coming but you don't know when.
Saw it happen to some other people too. A deal had been cut to replace them. They were on notice. The deal fell through with the replacements so the termination was called off or atleast postponed. Nice to still pull a salary but the trust is gone. Any allegiance evaporates. Day to day you never know if there's going to be another day.
It's no way to run a team. It's no way to run a company. People working out of fear is not envriomentally friendly.
Think about it in personal terms. You're living with the love of your life when one day you're told you have to move out. I've met someone else and they're moving in. A week later there's a snag. We broke up, they're not moving in, so.....you can stay! Good deal hu? Yea, good deal. Can't wait for Valentine's Day. Come to think of it that scenario happened to me too. It's a co-habitation abberation (I know that was a stretch)...you're with someone who doesn't want you and now someone who you don't want.
I know it's a little different in sport. Trades are part of the trade. But working for someone, being with someone or playing for someone you know has the juice to cut you loose at anytime is no way to live, work or play.
Liked this posting Rick. All so true. I have recently had a similar experience at my job....raise time comes and I'm told that I've reached my salary ceiling! I just wanted to clarify this statement with my boss so asked him "so, if I work here another 10 years, there is never going to be a raise?" His answer..."that's right!" WOW, what incentive! WOW, I now jump out of bed and cannot wait to give 150% every day!!! This type of treatment will only backfire on the employer....I now give around 75%, I'm late in to work a bit more, can't wait to leave at 5pm and every now and again, I might take a pen home.....just to kinda get back at them! So they've turned me into an unappreciative employee who steals! Excellent!
Debs: Perfect example. The whole I dea is that you strive for something. Could be a raise or more holiday time or a promotion. Once the incentive is taken away they've lost the loyalty that's been built up over time. I know so many people who don't trust their employers and wont go the extra mile. If they see something that's not right...too bad...not my problem.