Present Tense on Past Glories : Many NBA Players Prepare Themselves for Shock and Change of Retirement, But Others Don’t and Thus Old Legs Run So Those in Need May Seek Help

On Feb. 9, 22 of the greatest players in the history of the National Basketball Assn. got together to play an old-timers’ game. For at least a few moments, the NBA’s past was present.

The NBA called it the Legends Classic and the game was played as part of the league’s All-Star weekend.

There was 46-year-old Oscar Robertson, the Big O, backing toward the basket and putting a one-handed jumper through the net.

Earl (The Pearl) Monroe, 40, double-clutched and pump-faked through the lane, as he had done so many times with the Bullets and Knicks.

Bob Cousy dribbled, Rick Barry shot, John Havlicek moved without the ball, Pistol Pete Maravich passed, Nate Thurmond intimidated, Walt (Clyde) Frazier glided and Connie Hawkins swooped.

Everyone performed his recognized speciality, although not nearly in the same manner as in the past. It was to be expected, because a lot has happened to these basketball players since they retired.

Now, they live in the civilian world, the business world. Each of them is successful, but in a different way.

For today’s players, there is a lesson to be learned from these old-timers. Younger men have long imitated Cousy’s grace, Zelmo Beaty’s quiet and Frazier’s cool. There is already a new Pearl named Washington playing college ball at Syracuse.

But that’s not the real lesson. The most important thing that can be learned from the guys who used to play is how they coped with life when they could no longer play.

“There are only two types of players,” Frazier said. “Those who are retired and those who will retire. Everyone has to cope with it, no matter what your stardom. One day you have to retire and go on.”

For reasons of money, personality, emotional stability and common sense, some cope better than others.

“For those who can’t, it’s a tragedy,” Havlicek said.

Tom Heinsohn, 50, played nine seasons with the Boston Celtics, who won eight world championships while he was there.

While a student at Holy Cross, Heinsohn learned how to sell life insurance. He then sold insurance while he was playing and when he coached the Celtics. He still maintains his own business.

Heinsohn said he felt fortunate because he was prepared for the time when he would no longer play. His adjustment was short and simple, but he isn’t certain if the modern player will turn out the same way.

“Financially, they’re a lot better off than we were,” Heinsohn said. “But emotionally, I think the guys that played in my era could make an easier adjustment. The current player can set himself up financially, but a side of his personality is hidden.

“When I left as a player, I found out that the things that really got my juices flowing were the creative things,” he said. “When people retire from playing sports, they have to find their new self.”

Heinsohn, who is also a successful artist, has a new career as an NBA color commentator for CBS-TV. Although his own adjustment wasn’t difficult, he said he experienced one nonetheless.

“I thought of it as being addicted to your own adrenaline,” he said. “You never reach that kind of high again. I was involved in all that a game could give a person. It’s pretty tough to come down from that.

“You have to rebuild your own image of yourself--that’s what it boils down to.”

From the time he was 7 years old, Maravich, a coach’s son, knew he would eventually have to quit playing basketball. But when he wrecked his knees and was forced out in 1980, Maravich was still unprepared for retirement.

“(I felt) I was successful and I didn’t have to do anything with the rest of my life,” Maravich said. “That just wasn’t true. I remember I used to be practicing and I’d think, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to play golf?’ Well, it wasn’t great at all. It gets old playing golf real quick because you don’t have a purpose, you see.”

Maravich found his purpose in religion. Two years after he retired, he became a born-again Christian. Maravich now spends most of his time giving testimony to different church groups. He speaks regularly to Salvation Army conventions in Alexandria, La.

“To me, my life just wasn’t where I thought it should be,” he said. “Everything I had didn’t have that great an impact on me. Basketball was my vehicle, the ring was my god and money was my by-product.

“It was kind of a built-in situation from what I did for a living that security would be there if it was handled properly and done right.”

Some of the legends took an active role to make sure that their money would not end when their playing career did.

Dave Bing, 41, worked at the National Bank of Detroit in a training program while he was playing for the Pistons. In eight years, he moved up from a teller to assistant branch manager. Bing also spent two years with Chrysler in a trainee program.

“I had no options other than to work in the offseason because I wasn’t making enough money,” he said.

Bing now owns Bing Steel Co. in Detroit, which has 67 employees. He has also started a construction company and was chosen the Small Business-person of the Year by the Dept. of Commerce.

“The guys today can’t be so naive to know that their careers aren’t going to come to an end,” Bing said.

Beaty learned about financial planning when still a player. Now 45, he is a security representative involved in financial planning. Just as the players today, Beaty said some players were prepared for retirement and others were not.

“Some of them just rolled through the league and they forgot about getting ready,” he said. “There is a life afterward. I knew one day that I would hang up my sneakers. I wanted to make sure I could decide when I quit, to make sure that some of that money that was made wasn’t spent then. It was to be spent later.”

Beaty learned through a financial planner how to control his cash flow and how to invest. But he did not allow his money to move without his knowledge, choosing instead to be an active participant in his financial future.

“If I wanted to be semi-financially independent, I could not allow all those tax dollars to go to Uncle Sam,” Beaty said. “You’ve got to know what’s going on. It’s your money. Learn the language because one day you’re going to get out of basketball.”

Robertson retired in 1973, two years after helping the Milwaukee Bucks win the NBA championship. He lives in Cincinnati, where he has a construction business and also owns a chemical company and a trucking company.

He said he is financially set, but he doesn’t sound happy. There is a restlessness in his voice when he says his transition from player to retired player is ongoing.

“Of course I’ve had problems adjusting,” Robertson said. “I’m still adjusting. Players don’t understand. They don’t realize when they start playing basketball that it comes to an end. They have agents and attorneys who don’t inform these people of that.

“You know what adjustment is?” Robertson asked. “Making money. When you don’t adjust, you’re not making money.”

Robertson said too many ex-players are naive to the ways of the “real world,” so they are often ill-prepared to get along in it.

He said the players’ association should take the lead in helping retired players to adjust when they leave the NBA. Robertson also blamed some players’ agents for poor advice.

“The agents should be the ones,” he said. “If you are going to take a guy’s money, then prepare him for something. Why should you let a guy go on forever and then when he’s up, just cut him off? But the players flock to those guys.”

Robertson said the secret to an ex-athlete’s getting ahead is to be on top of national politics. That means politics in the corporate world, too, he said.

“I really think business is jealous of athletes because you did play so long,” Robertson said. “A lot of guys who are involved in a company say, ‘Oh, well, you didn’t pay your dues.’ Well, you did pay your dues. You paid dues in a way they cannot. And I don’t think they like that.”

Monroe made certain his climb up the business ladder had no mis-steps by starting his own company. As president of “Pretty Pearl Records,” specializing in urban contemporary and rhythm and blues styles, The Pearl said he’s doing pretty well.

He said he wants to work for five more years or so, then he wants to move to another phase.

“Like playing tennis every day,” he said.

Monroe said that for about two years he was numb because he wasn’t playing. Then he realized that he would be in another business for the rest of his life.

“The whole adjustment thing in a nutshell is that you don’t get things as quickly as when you were playing,” Monroe said. “In business, you have to go through a period when you have to nurture and wait.

“I’m used to having things a little quicker than that. But as soon as I realized I’d have to wait, it made things a lot easier.

“You just have to develop ways to live in the real world.”

George Yardley, 56, led the NBA in scoring in 1958. In his last season, 1962, he earned $25,000. He lives in Newport Beach and owns the George Yardley Co., which sells engineered products to refineries and chemical plants.

He said he bought the company while he was still playing, even though he felt he could have played for two or three more years.

Yardley said he found out how to live after basketball through his work.

“I’m very thankful, really, that I didn’t make the kind of money they do now, because I don’t know what I would have done with the rest of my life,” he said. “If I had my druthers, I probably would have taken the money, but at the same time, I don’t think it’s done anybody a lot of good.

“In my era, we didn’t have anything like that money,” he said. “If you’re not prepared to handle the money through some sort of planning or education or experience, you’re going to have a problem continuing your life without having a drug or alcohol problem.

“You have to have some interest or goal in life or you’re going to destroy yourself,” he said. “Me, I enjoy work every day. I’m just as excited with Mondays as Saturdays.”

Before the era of the big bucks, contracts were written much differently, not only in terms of how much money, but how much money now.

But deferred compensation came into being and all the rules changed.

The benefits of deferred payments are two-fold: They allow an owner to put off paying part of the player’s salary to ease the team’s cash flow and they enable the player to get a tax break as well as provide an income after retirement.

But deferred payments were unheard of when the old-timers were still playing in the NBA.

“I didn’t play in the time of the big dollars,” Dave DeBusschere said. “A lot of the players who played at the same time I did were much more conscious of preparing themselves for a career after basketball than the present-day guys who have financial experts and tax advisers to help them sock stuff away.”

DeBusschere said that when he played, the highest average salary in the league was $60,000, which is $5,000 less than the minimum salary today.

“When you make this type of money, you consider that by the time your career is over you’ll probably have enough money stashed away or deferred money coming that you can really do whatever you want for the rest of your life,” DeBusschere said.

But even among the current players, there is disagreement on the merits of deferred salary. The Lakers are typical of the different philosophies.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will earn $2 million next season, but none of it is deferred.

James Worthy, who signed in 1982, will make $400,000 this season, $500,000 next season, $575,000 in 1986, $625,000 in 1987 and $900,000 in 1988, the final year of his contract. None of the money is deferred.

But Mitch Kupchak, who signed his contract in 1981, and is guaranteed $1.15 million this season and through 1987, has exactly $575,000 up front and $575,000 deferred from each season’s salary.

For this season and until the end of his contract, Kupchak will get a total of $2.3 million in deferred money, beginning in 1991 and ending in 1994 when he will be 39.

Magic Johnson’s contract represents the biggest turnaround in deferred money philosophy. His original contract, which he signed when Jack Kent Cooke owned the Lakers, made him $460,000 last season, none of it deferred.

But his 25-year, $25-million contract which he signed with Laker owner Jerry Buss and which went into effect this season, calls for annual deferred payments of $1.5 million between 1994 and 2009.

With that type of money coming in, Johnson and today’s current high-priced stars are set for life after basketball in a way no old-timers could have possibly hoped for.

The NBA and the National Basketball Players Assn. can agree on one area of the after-care of the retired--they both say it’s not their responsibility.

“In no other kind of union is that a responsibility (of the union),” said Larry Fleisher, general counsel for the players association. “It’s always been up to the individual.”

David Stern, commissioner of the NBA, said the proper league stance is to support the players’ association in whatever measures it considers appropriate.

But Stern said that the league’s involvement should be largely limited to the health insurance, and pension requests negotiated into the collective bargaining agreements with the union.

“It’s very much a union issue,” Stern said. “But we, along with the players association, do have some sort of responsibility for helping prepare players for life after basketball. It makes good sense on the human level and the business level.”

At the present time, there is no program available for current NBA players to assist them in planning for financial security, but for some former players, help may be on the way.

Robertson and former Boston Celtic Bob Cousy are co-chairmen of the NBA Legends Fund, the purpose of which is to identify needy ex-players and come up with some sort of program to assist them with their financial problems, through counseling, financial planning or other means.

Proceeds from last Saturday’s Legends game are earmarked for the fund. The game grossed $75,000 and Stern said he hopes that after expenses, the fund will reach $50,000.

Fleisher said the players’ association tried once before to come up with a financial planning program for active players, but failed.

“The agents make it very difficult to combine the two,” he said. “It’s also very hard for it to be the union’s responsibility, 15 years after a player has retired, to be his financial planner.”

The players’ association provides counseling on a limited basis for active players, Fleisher said, to help them earn their college degrees if they have not done so, and also to train them for jobs after they retire.

Under the terms of the NBA’s current collective bargaining agreement with the players’ association, a retired player receives a pension of $140 a month for each year of service, beginning at age 50. An ex-player could receive 65% of the benefits at age 45.

For example, a 10-year veteran could eventually draw $420,000 by age 70.

He would receive full pension benefits of $17,000 a year at age 50. He would also receive $5,000 from a licensing program for every year played, beginning 10 years after his retirement, plus a $30,000 lump sum severance pay.

The licensing program payments are derived from the sale of logos to merchandising companies.

Although medical and dental bills are taken care of for active players as part of the collective bargaining agreement, there is no provision for retired players.

Ex-players can get the same coverage they had when they were active at the same premium extended to the league, but the former players must pay for it themselves.

The first collective bargaining agreement between the players’ association and the NBA was in 1964, but it provided few benefits, only $20 a month pension for each year of service, and was a contributory plan on the part of the players.

Not until 1967, the next time a labor agreement was negotiated, did the pension plan become fully funded by the owners.

As recently as 1979, the monthly pension benefits had risen to just $75 for each year of service.

“That’s a far cry from where we are today,” Fleisher said.

Players who retired before 1964 receive no pension benefits.

Stern believes that the league should act as a silent partner with the players’ association to make sure that when the players retire, they can help themselves.

“They need to know how to save and invest,” Stern said. “And we need to know that the players can take care of themselves.”

WHERE ARE THEY NOW

PLAYER: Rick Barry AGE: 40 YEARS PRO: 14 He lives in Los Angeles and works as a play-by-play announcer for NBA games on the WTBS cable network. He was the only player to lead the NCAA, NBA and ABA in scoring and is the all-time leader in free-throw percentage (.900%). He was a star with Warriors and retired in 1980.

PLAYER: Zelmo Beaty AGE: 45 YEARS PRO: 12 He lives in Bellvue, Wash., where he is a financial adviser. He is best known as a rebounder and defensive specialist, a mark he made with the Hawks. He retired in 1974 with the Lakers.

PLAYER: Walt Bellamy AGE: 45 YEARS PRO: 14 He lives in Atlanta, where he was a delegate from Georgia to the Democratic National Convention. He was a four-time All-Star with the Bullets. Finished in the top six in scoring and rebounding in each of his first five seasons. He retired in 1975.

PLAYER: Dave Bing AGE: 41 YEARS PRO: 12 He lives in Detroit and is the owner of Bing Steel Co. He was a two-time all-NBA player and earned rookie-of-the-year honors in 1967 with the Pistons. The seven-time all-star retired in 1978.

PLAYER: Roger Brown AGE: 43 YEARS PRO: 9 He lives in the Indianapolis area and owns a construction firm, a safety products company and a lawn irrigation company. He is a former Indianapolis councilman, deputy coroner and sheriff. He was the Pacers’ all-time leader in points and minutes and retired in 1975.

PLAYER: Bob Cousy AGE: 56 YEARS PRO: 14 He lives in Worcester, Mass., and works as a color commentator for the Celtics. The 13-time NBA all-star was one of the league’s prototype point guards. The two-time all-star MVP retired in 1963.

PLAYER: Mel Daniels AGE: 40 YEARS PRO: 9 He lives in Indianapolis, where he is a special assistant to the Pacers’ coaching staff. A two-time ABA MVP with the Pacers, he is the leading rebounder in ABA history. The seven-time ABA all-star retired in 1975.

PLAYER: Bob Davies AGE: 65 YEARS PRO: 10 He lives in Coral Springs, Fla., and has worked with Converse for 28 years and will retire in April. He is credited with being among the first to use the behind-the-back dribble while playing with Rochester. He was elected to Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1969 after retiring in 1955.

PLAYER: Dave DeBusschere AGE: 44 YEARS PRO: 12 He lives on Long Island and is the executive vice president and director of basketball operations for the New York Knicks. He played major league baseball with the Chicago White Sox. He was named to the all-defensive team six consecutive years with the Knicks before retiring in 1974.

PLAYER: Walt Frazier AGE: 39 YEARS PRO: 13 He lives in Atlanta and is the president of a sports agency that represents athletes. He was four times an all-NBA pick and led the Knicks in assists in each of his 10 seasons in New York. He retired in 1980.

PLAYER: John Havlicek AGE: 44 YEARS PRO: 16 He lives in Weston, Mass., and is involved in promotional work and a fast-food restaurant. He is a 13-time all-star and is fifth on the all-time scoring list. He popularized the sixth-man role and was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983. He retired in 1978.

PLAYER: Connie Hawkins AGE: 42 YEARS PRO: 9 He lives in Wilkinsburgh, Pa., and is living off a $1.2 million settlement with the NBA, his salary from the Phoenix Suns and his league pension. He was awarded the settlement from the NBA after false implications were made that he was involved in a point-shaving incident. He retired in 1976.

PLAYER: Tom Heinsohn AGE: 50 YEARS PRO: 9 He lives in Boston and is a TV analyst with CBS and for the Celtics on pay TV. He played on eight NBA championship teams in his nine seasons at Boston. The six-time all-star retired in 1965.

PLAYER: Johnny Kerr AGE: 52 YEARS PRO: 12 He lives in Chicago, where he owns an insurance and investment firm and works as an analyst on Bulls’ telecasts. He played in 844 consecutive NBA games, the second-longest streak in league history. He was a star at Syracuse and retired in 1966.

PLAYER: Pete Maravich AGE: 36 YEARS PRO: 10 He lives in Metairie, La. and did color commentary for the University of South Florida. He holds basketball clinics and gives testimony to church groups. He was a two-time all-NBA pick and starred with the Hawks and Jazz. Known as a high scorer and flashy passer, he retired in 1980.

PLAYER: Earl Monroe AGE: 40 YEARS PRO: 13 He lives in New York and is president of Pretty Pearl Records. He starred with Bullets and Knicks, where he was known for his flashy offensive moves. He retired in 1980.

PLAYER: Bob Pettit AGE: 52 YEARS PRO: 11 He lives in Metairie, La., where he is in the banking business. The three-time all-star MVP and two-time NBA MVP was the star of the Hawks. He was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970 after retiring in 1965.

PLAYER: Oscar Robertson AGE: 46 YEARS PRO: 14 He lives in Cincinnati and is the national spokesman for Pepsi. He is also in the construction business in Cincinnati. He is fourth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. A 12-time all-star and three-time MVP, he made more free throws (7,694) and had more assists (9,887) than anyone in history. He starred with the Royals and Bucks and was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1979. He retired in 1973.

PLAYER: Nate Thurmond AGE: 43 YEARS PRO: 14 He lives in the Bay Area and is the director of community relations with the Warriors. The seven-time all-star gained a reputation as a rebounder and defensive specialist with the Warriors. He retired in 1977.

PLAYER: Tom Van Arsdale AGE: 41 YEARS PRO: 12 He lives in the Phoenix area, where he runs a real estate company with his twin brother Dick. He had his best years with Cincinnati and retired in 1977.

PLAYER: Dick Van Arsdale AGE: 41 YEARS PRO: 12 He lives in Scottsdale, Ariz., where he is in the real estate business with his brother, Tom. He also does color commentary with the Phoenix Suns. He is the all-time Suns leader in points scored and minutes played. He retired in 1977.

PLAYER: George Yardley AGE: 56 YEARS PRO: 9 He lives in Newport Beach, where he owns his own company that sells products to refineries and chemical plants. He played with the Pistons and Syracuse, and in 1958 became the first player to score 2,000 points in one season. He retired in 1962.