OT: The Captain Gives Gold Medal To Casino

[rory]

Say What?

Jason Kidd has been a selfless player for the USA on and off the court in Beijing by sharing his experience and the basketball.

And he is set to dish out a big handoff if the Americans return to basketball supremacy today by beating Spain for the gold medal.
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Kidd promised Elaine Wynn, wife of casino mogul Steve Wynn, that he would give her his newest Olympic medal if the Americans fulfill the redeem dream.

"It's not a (gambling) marker or anything like that," Kidd told The Arizona Republic. "She's just a great friend and a really great person."

They met last year when Kidd and the USA team stayed at the Wynn while training in Las Vegas.

"Last summer, we stayed at the Wynn for (what seemed like) a lifetime, close to three weeks," Kidd said. "We met at a banquet, we got to talking, and she really understands the game.

"I told her I'd make a deal with her, that if we won the gold medal, I'd give it to her. She thought I was kidding. But I told her I had one already, and the way they treated us at the Wynn, it was the least I could do."

That's one way to get a lifetime pass to the front of the buffet line.

 

[pegs]

Just in case anyone's interested, it's already posted in the Mavs forum.

 

[#1_War_Poet_ForLife]

Probably a settlement for groping her.

 

[Dumpy]

Probably a settlement for groping her.

If I was his ex-wife, I'd be furious. The gold medal should eventually pass to his children. SInce (I think) the divorce has been finalized, it is doubtful that she has any property rights in the gold medal, but it still is pretty selfish on Kidd's part.

 

[reganomics813]

Kidd is a selfish moron, in real life situations he's the exact opposite of what he is on the court. At the very least he should give it to CP3 for covering his ass these past month and keeping his sterling international record spotless.

 

[cpawfan]

If I was his ex-wife, I'd be furious. The gold medal should eventually pass to his children. SInce (I think) the divorce has been finalized, it is doubtful that she has any property rights in the gold medal, but it still is pretty selfish on Kidd's part.

The same ex-wife that wanted nothing to do with Kidd's first child? I have zero sympathy for that psycho

 

[SportsTicker]

The same ex-wife that wanted nothing to do with Kidd's first child? I have zero sympathy for that psycho

Not exactly American Gothic. American Goth maybe.

 

[Dumpy]

The same ex-wife that wanted nothing to do with Kidd's first child? I have zero sympathy for that psycho

it has nothing to do with her--it is about his children. Maybe you can argue that his older kids should get it--but it should pass to SOMEONE within his family. Down the street from me is the wife and kids of a former major league player; the player placed some of his memorabilia on e-bay so it wouldn't pass to them. I don't know what the legal status of their relationship and property rights were at the time, but she was able to successfully stop the sale. What Kidd is doing is selfish and slimy, and (assuming that this epitomizes his relationship with them) I wouldn't be at all surprised if his kids end up hating his guts if they don't already.

[I phrased it as his wife being furious because most of his kids are probably too young to understand the ramifications of this, and it mirrors the experience of one of my neighbors, the ex-wife of a former major league player, who tried to sell his personal memorabilia on e-bay to keep it from passing to her and his children. She successfully sued to halt the sale.]

 

[dino33]

I feel bad for his Kidd's Kid.

 

[rory]

Well, to play Devil's Advocate, Kidd's kids now have immense connections with the Wynn family, one of the richest families on Earth.

 

[cpawfan]

it has nothing to do with her--it is about his children. Maybe you can argue that his older kids should get it--but it should pass to SOMEONE within his family. Down the street from me is the wife and kids of a former major league player; the player placed some of his memorabilia on e-bay so it wouldn't pass to them. I don't know what the legal status of their relationship and property rights were at the time, but she was able to successfully stop the sale. What Kidd is doing is selfish and slimy, and (assuming that this epitomizes his relationship with them) I wouldn't be at all surprised if his kids end up hating his guts if they don't already.

[I phrased it as his wife being furious because most of his kids are probably too young to understand the ramifications of this, and it mirrors the experience of one of my neighbors, the ex-wife of a former major league player, who tried to sell his personal memorabilia on e-bay to keep it from passing to her and his children. She successfully sued to halt the sale.]

As long as he is alive and of legally sound mind, it is his to do with as he pleases. How is what he is doing selfish? He was the captain of the team that earned the gold medal. His children did nothing for it and are entitled to none of it. It is no different than earning a college degree. That doesn't get automatically passed to one's children and neither should items earned through competition.

Based upon what you said, I find your neighbor to be a real bitch and I can't believe a judge sided with her. That stuff is his and his alone.

 

[Dumpy]

As long as he is alive and of legally sound mind, it is his to do with as he pleases. How is what he is doing selfish? He was the captain of the team that earned the gold medal. His children did nothing for it and are entitled to none of it. It is no different than earning a college degree. That doesn't get automatically passed to one's children and neither should items earned through competition.

Based upon what you said, I find your neighbor to be a real bitch and I can't believe a judge sided with her. That stuff is his and his alone.

you are being quite unfair. As I said--but perhaps too tersely--I don't know whether their divorce was still pending at the time, or whether his athletic awards were subject to property distribution.

regardless, he is being selfish . . . a college degree is not analogous. A Nobel Prize, an Oscar, or an Emmy, however, are.

 

[cpawfan]

you are being quite unfair. As I said--but perhaps too tersely--I don't know whether their divorce was still pending at the time, or whether his athletic awards were subject to property distribution.

regardless, he is being selfish . . . a college degree is not analogous. A Nobel Prize, an Oscar, or an Emmy, however, are.

Why should any of those things automatically be passed to one's child?

And you still have explained how it is selfish

 

[jerseycarter15]

Where is The Joker?

 

[NJNetz]

Where is The Joker?

You miss me?

 

[jerseycarter15]

You miss me?

............

 

[DynastYWarrioR6]

I don't see why this has anything to do with his kids, his wife, or his divorce. I'm with cpawfan on this one. Look, he earned it and noone else besides the members of his team, the coaching staff, and management did anything to help him earn that. He is alive and he can choose to do with it however he wishes. Why would he be obligated to give it to them? If they were still settling their divorce, and she asked that his gold medal be part of the settlement or whatnot, then she'd just be a selfish bitch for taking his stuff that he earned, that she played no part of.

 

[kdub]

I think it's dumb, but he can do what he wants.

 

[DynastYWarrioR6]

I think it's dumb, but he can do what he wants.

Well no doubt I think it is dumb too lol
Just the whole "entitled to his kids and wife" thing kinda perturbed me.

 

[MaxaMillion711]

Seems suspicious

like bart simpson once said...

its like a milk dud: sweet on the outside, poison on the inside

 

[kdub]

Well no doubt I think it is dumb too lol
Just the whole "entitled to his kids and wife" thing kinda perturbed me.

I can see it both ways.

Yes, he doesn't have to give the medal to his family, but it's assumed that a good family man should. Of course we know that Kidd isn't one, but this just continues to prove that.

What he "should" have said was "I can't wait to give this gold medal to TJ and let him realize the importance and pride that comes with representing your country in the Olympics and give him a dream and a goal to look towards."

But of course, being Kidd, he didn't. He gave it to a casino for some still unexplainable reason.

 

[Netted]

I agree with cpaw, he can do with it what he wants. He earned it. Just because you have kids it doesn't give them entitlement to everything you ever do in your life, however it would've been a nice gesture to give it to his kids.

That said, he just trivialized his achievement by giving it to someone he barely knows in order to look like a big shot with a wealthy Las Vegas big wig. Typical Kidd.

 

[Dumpy]

I agree with cpaw, he can do with it what he wants. He earned it. Just because you have kids it doesn't give them entitlement to everything you ever do in your life, however it would've been a nice gesture to give it to his kids.

The "entitlement" angle was used by Cpaw to (not unexpectedly) mischaracterize my remarks (although he didn't specifically use that word). I stated my opinion that he was acting selfishly; the medal should go to his kids (and then his future grandchildren); and his ex-wife should be ticked off by the whole thing. Yes, he can do what ever he wants with it, and no one is "entitled" to it except for him (again, unless it is subject to a property settlement)--but that doesn't reduce the extent of his selfishness, or should abolish the annoyance felt by his family. Of course, the mere act of giving it away isn't the only factor; we have to consider WHO he is giving it to as well.

There are two issues at play, and Cpaw is (I think) intentionally jumbling them up, partly because I doubt his reading comprehension (or my writing) is that bad to confuse the intent of what I wrote. The first is whether Kidd has the legal right to dispose of it as he sees fit. The answer is probably "yes," although, again, there may be other agreements in play that limit him. The second, though, is more delicate, and goes to what society as a whole would agree is the morally, ethically, and just compassionate thing to do. Just because he CAN do a thing doesn't mean that he SHOULD do a thing. The fact that he is going to give his gold medal to a millionaire's wife "just because" is pathetic and reveals even more about him. If he wants to give it away . . . if he offered to give it to the trainer who helped him recover from microfracture surgery, I'd applaud him. If he gave it to his high school coach who helped develop him into the player he is today, it would be a tremendous gesture and my respect for him would go up tenfold. But, of course, he wouldn't consider one of those things, because he is a selfish, shallow prima donna who deserves nothing but our contempt.

 

[Netted]

The "entitlement" angle was used by Cpaw to (not unexpectedly) mischaracterize my remarks (although he didn't specifically use that word). I stated my opinion that he was acting selfishly; the medal should go to his kids (and then his future grandchildren); and his ex-wife should be ticked off by the whole thing. Yes, he can do what ever he wants with it, and no one is "entitled" to it except for him (again, unless it is subject to a property settlement)--but that doesn't reduce the extent of his selfishness, or should abolish the annoyance felt by his family. Of course, the mere act of giving it away isn't the only factor; we have to consider WHO he is giving it to as well.

There are two issues at play, and Cpaw is (I think) intentionally jumbling them up, partly because I doubt his reading comprehension (or my writing) is that bad to confuse the intent of what I wrote. The first is whether Kidd has the legal right to dispose of it as he sees fit. The answer is probably "yes," although, again, there may be other agreements in play that limit him. The second, though, is more delicate, and goes to what society as a whole would agree is the morally, ethically, and just compassionate thing to do. Just because he CAN do a thing doesn't mean that he SHOULD do a thing. The fact that he is going to give his gold medal to a millionaire's wife "just because" is pathetic and reveals even more about him. If he wants to give it away . . . if he offered to give it to the trainer who helped him recover from microfracture surgery, I'd applaud him. If he gave it to his high school coach who helped develop him into the player he is today, it would be a tremendous gesture and my respect for him would go up tenfold. But, of course, he wouldn't consider one of those things, because he is a selfish, shallow prima donna who deserves nothing but our contempt.

Originally you made it sound like only his kids should get it. Even quoting a legal example.

 

[networks]

I am a big fan of the NBA but the USA Mens Basketball Team bores me. Kidd probably had a side deal already in place. How far is the golf course from the hotel? can you say - Honorary Member for Life.

 

[cpawfan]

The "entitlement" angle was used by Cpaw to (not unexpectedly) mischaracterize my remarks (although he didn't specifically use that word). I stated my opinion that he was acting selfishly; the medal should go to his kids (and then his future grandchildren); and his ex-wife should be ticked off by the whole thing. Yes, he can do what ever he wants with it, and no one is "entitled" to it except for him (again, unless it is subject to a property settlement)--but that doesn't reduce the extent of his selfishness, or should abolish the annoyance felt by his family. Of course, the mere act of giving it away isn't the only factor; we have to consider WHO he is giving it to as well.

There are two issues at play, and Cpaw is (I think) intentionally jumbling them up, partly because I doubt his reading comprehension (or my writing) is that bad to confuse the intent of what I wrote. The first is whether Kidd has the legal right to dispose of it as he sees fit. The answer is probably "yes," although, again, there may be other agreements in play that limit him. The second, though, is more delicate, and goes to what society as a whole would agree is the morally, ethically, and just compassionate thing to do. Just because he CAN do a thing doesn't mean that he SHOULD do a thing. The fact that he is going to give his gold medal to a millionaire's wife "just because" is pathetic and reveals even more about him. If he wants to give it away . . . if he offered to give it to the trainer who helped him recover from microfracture surgery, I'd applaud him. If he gave it to his high school coach who helped develop him into the player he is today, it would be a tremendous gesture and my respect for him would go up tenfold. But, of course, he wouldn't consider one of those things, because he is a selfish, shallow prima donna who deserves nothing but our contempt.

You are jumbling selfishness with morals, ethics and compassion. I've stated two different things. One was that he had a legal right to do with as he wants and the other was to ask you to why you think what he is doing is selfish.

Now that you have provided more information about the selfish angle, I can respond to it. I don't agree with your premise that it should go to one of his children. Kidd has multiple children and a gold medal is not something that can practicably be split among heirs. Why should he be put through the torment later in his life of deciding which child should get it? Especially when a womanizer like him is very likely to continue to have more children.

As far as moral and ethics, I know plenty of people that take the position that there is nothing moral or ethical about passing on "wealth" through inheritance. Now you could take the position that it is a memorabilia and not wealth (even though it does have monetary value unlike a family photo), but still where is the moral or ethical requirement to force a father to pick which child should receive such a unique item?

I believe you are projecting your own values onto a man that doesn't share your same sense of sentimentality.

 

[isrus]

If Kidd wasn't keeping it or giving it to family, why not give it to Coach K? We all know coaches don't earn medals and it would've been the perfect gesture and would show so much respect to USA Basketball. People's views of Kidd would improve tremendously. This isn't the first questionable thing that Kidd has done in his career but after all, it's his choice.

 

[kdub]

If Kidd wasn't keeping it or giving it to family, why not give it to Coach K? We all know coaches don't earn medals and it would've been the perfect gesture and would show so much respect to USA Basketball. People's views of Kidd would improve tremendously. This isn't the first questionable thing that Kidd has done in his career but after all, it's his choice.

That's a great idea also. Kidd already has one from 2000 so that would definitely be a nice a great gesture.

 

[pegs]

If Kidd wasn't keeping it or giving it to family, why not give it to Coach K? We all know coaches don't earn medals and it would've been the perfect gesture and would show so much respect to USA Basketball. People's views of Kidd would improve tremendously. This isn't the first questionable thing that Kidd has done in his career but after all, it's his choice.

IMO Colangelo probably deserved it more than K.

 

[Kidd Karma]

Kidd has already mentioned that the first gold is locked up and probably end up with TJ. I don't know, too many these medals, awards, shouldn't mean too much to the athlete, I mean it's the experience that they'll always take away with that has more value, he's already int he history books as an Olympic Champion, in addition to his NBA hardware....then again he wanted another 20 million from NJ, seems cash is a need of his, would have made more sense for him to keep it and sell it one day when he's in need.....yea right.