| | Careerbuilder | The Sports Courant |
| 1 | Possessing Poor People Skills “…people consistently and overwhelmingly prefer to work with likeable, less-skilled co-workers than with highly competent jerks.” | Barry Bonds
Seriously, the best baseball player of our generation by far and he has little to no fans. It’s not about steroids and it’s not about race. It’s about nice. Put Barry in a time machine and have him sprinkle in a smile and a kind word every now and then and this stuff would still be getting swept under the rug. Result: No Championship and maybe no Hall of Fame |
| 2 | Not Being a Team Player
“No one feels comfortable around a prima donna.” | Terrell Owens
First of all, you could put TO down for most of these but this one is a no-brainer. Kate referenced this herself when making her list. After being suspended for the 2005 season for being a prima donna Owens was traded away. Result: No Championship
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| 3 | Missing Deadlines
“When making commitments, it's best to under-promise and over-deliver.”
| Tracy McGrady
Up 3-1 on Detroit T-Mac said, "For a guy like me, who's been bounced from the first round of the playoffs three straight years, to finally get to experience the second round, it just feels great." Oops. Detroit came back to win the series and McGrady still hasn’t gotten out of the first round. McGrady was traded the following season. Result: Obviously No Championship |
| 4 | Conducting Personal Business on Company Time
I don’t know what she is talking about on this one. hee hee hee
| Ron Artest
In 2004 Artest asked for time off to, among other things, promote his soon-to-be release rap album. Artest was traded the next season. Result: No Championship |
| 5 | Isolating Yourself
“Don't isolate yourself.” | Alex Rodriquez
A lightning rod for critics in the New York media; A-Rod has suffered because he’s isolated himself from his teammates. That’s why you don’t see them coming to his defense when he is constantly attacked. Result: No Championship |
| 6 | Starting an Office Romance
“And if it ends badly, you're at risk of everyone knowing about it and witnessing the unpleasantness.” | Jason Kidd
Joumana Kidd. Need I say more. Whether you believe it or not she had more to do with Kidd not going to the Lakers than the "untouchable" Andrew Bynum. Result: No Championship |
| 7 | Fearing Risk or Failure
Instead of saying, "I've never done that," say, "I'll learn how." | Alfonso Soriano
Soriano initially refused to move from second base to left field while with the Nationals. Now he has to play for the Cubs. Result: No chance at another Championship |
| 8 | Having No Goals
“Failure doesn't lie in not reaching your goal, but in not having a goal to reach.” | Kwame Brown
Jumped from high school to the pros. Appears content with being utterly useless. Traded to the Lakers from Washington where his only highlight was being called a “flaming faggot” by the greatest basketball player who ever lived. Result: No Championship |
| 9 | Neglecting Your Image
“…don't come to work poorly groomed or in inappropriate attire. Be honest, use proper grammar and avoid slang and expletives. You want to project an image of competence, character and commitment.” | Joakim Noah
His lack of ball handling skills or any offensive game whatsoever has less to do with his draft stock falling than his incoherent ramblings following the national championship game. Result: College Championship |
| 10 | Being Indiscreet
“Don't tell off-color jokes, reveal company secrets, gossip about co-workers or espouse your views on race, religion or the boss' personality.”
| John Rocker
Sports Illustrated, January 2000. “Imagine having to take the 7 Train to the ballpark, looking like you're riding through Beirut next to some kid with purple hair, next to some queer with AIDS, right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time…” I don’t think I need to go on. Rocker was traded the following season and is no longer in the league. Result: No Championship |