(04-12-2021 02:33 PM)Stammers Wrote:  

(04-12-2021 02:23 PM)passat25 Wrote:  Man.. Nichols' exit was controversial.. His timing was terrible but he later publicly apologized to the school and Memphis fans admitting he was wrong.. and that meant a lot even for school officials who reached out to Nichols and allowed him to finish his degree.. Nichols finally graduated from Memphis last year in May after 8 years.

Last I heard, he works for a steel factory now.. Austin used to mow lawns for a while after he left basketball.. DAMN!

It's hard to understand from the point of view of someone loving basketball, football, hockey, baseball, golf, whatever and not being good enough to earn a living from it. For some people sports is no more pleasurable than cleaning a house, mowing a lawn, doing data entry, or any job that normal people have and may or may not enjoy.

The worse thing about being labelled lazy, is that at every level of D1 and professional athletics, the lazy athletes are still working really hard. There is such a fine line between success and failure, that unless you are an incredible talent, you can't get by on 80 or 90% effort. If you don't get back on defense in basketball, or don't run full out after a receiver who is 10 yards behind you every single time; you are labelled as lazy, not caring, or not appreciative of the opportunity you have.

As long as you aren't harming others or doing something illegal, there is nobility in ways that most people earn a living.

I am glad he has now a decent job.. I am sure he is not doing warehouse chores in that steel factory.. He is now making a decent living with a degree.. Of course, he will never make the money he would have made in the NBA..

I always thought Nichols was so talented.. Finesse player with great hands and footwork for a PF.. He would have been drafted staying at Memphis.. He and his family got some ill advice and screwed it all up.. but I guess professional or college sports is not for everybody.