At least they're playing
NBA rookies Henderson, Baston wait out lockout in CBA
Posted: Tuesday November 10, 1998 08:23 PM
| |
Maceo Baston is enjoying his stint in the CBA Stephen Dunn/Allsport |
ROCKFORD, Illinois (CNN/SI) -- They're close enough to feel it, to touch
it, even to reap the substantial rewards of it. But the lingering NBA
lockout has forced rookie hopefuls J.R. Henderson and Maceo Baston to put
their dreams -- and their wealth on hold -- in the no-frills world of the
CBA.
"It's kind of weird being here," said J.R. Henderson, the former UCLA
Bruin. "Take right now, there's nobody here ... no crowd or anything.
You've got to really pump yourself up to play and things like that. But it
helps mentally."
"The crowd's not who you play for, I'm playing for myself to get better,
my skills better, and also for the other guys in the locker room," said
Maceo Baston. "It's still war. Even though it's CBA, it's still game time
and you still have to get ready to play."
Instead of possibly basking in the presence of Michael Jordan
and the six-time champion Bulls, Baston keeps in shape with the CBA
champion Quad City Thunder. His baseline partner, at least for now, is Vancouver Grizzlies
draft pick Henderson. Together, they watch and wait and long for greener
pastures.
"I expected to be in the NBA, but I didn't know how the lockout worked,"
said Henderson. "I didn't know how long it was going to take or anything
like that. So I just looked for the next best thing and this was the next
best thing."
Baston's just happy to be playing basketball.
"I know what's going on, no one can do anything about it right now," said
the former Michigan Wolverine. "In the meanwhile, I'm doing this and
playing and having fun, meeting good guys and playing good basketball."
While the billion-dollar bickering continues in NBA board rooms, Baston
and Henderson feel the real pinch in their pockets. CBA salaries range from
$18,000-$30,000 versus the NBA minimum of $242,000. And until the CBA
regular season starts later this month, Baston and Henderson earn $30 a
day.
"It's a tremendous [pay] cut between the leagues," said Baston. "But no
one is getting paid right now so I'm in the same boat as the other guys
are. I don't have any money saved up but I have the income coming in from
this league to help keep me above water while the lockout's still going
on."
For Henderson, the lack of an NBA paycheck is no big deal.
"I just came out of college and I'm not used to having money," said
Henderson. "I've been without for mainly mostly all my life and it's no big
change. The money we're getting here, I think it's good money."
By opting for some money and playing time in the CBA, Baston and Henderson
can earn no more than the minimum should they make the NBA this season.
That's likely why they're the only two 1998 NBA draftees so far to travel
this anonymous route.
| 
