Hughes Says He’d Rather Play His Way Than Win

So it turns out that former Cleveland Cavalier, and current Chicago Bulls guard Larry Hughes is a Diva. The man who kept most of his inner thoughts very private during his tenure with the Cavaliers, opened up to reporters at the Q Arena in Cleveland before his new team took on his old team in a Nationally televised game. According to the Associated Press he told the collective media, he did not enjoy his time playing in Cleveland, even though they made it all the way to the NBA Finals last season. Hughes said that while he played for the Cavaliers he played a game that was not his style, and he much prefers the Chicago style of play. Hughes said to reporters Sunday “They wanted me to sacrifice things so we could win. In this system, there is more movement and draw and kicks. It was a good run. We had 50-plus wins, made the finals and I learned from it. I was unhappy, though, and wasn’t myself. I’d rather enjoy the game than all that.”

You would rather enjoy the game than to go to the NBA Finals Larry? What exactly does that mean? To me, the only interpretation I can take from it is you would rather be the main guy on a bad team, than a second or third option on a Championship caliber club. I mean what other way could you interpret that statement? I was saddened and deeply disappointed when I read these comments. There are many athletes that I know have that mind-set, and I could name a list as long as LeBron James arm. But Larry I never thought you were that way.

People react to fame and notoriety differently. Some people want to be the big fish in the small pool, others the small fish in the big pool. To each their own, I always say. But to complain about having to sacrifice your playing style in order for the good of the whole, is just pure out and out selfish thinking. There is no defending it, there is no other way to define it. Larry Hughes told reporters Sunday that he would rather play his style than win a ring, I’m sorry Larry I just lost a ton of respect for you.

I am extremely competitive, I will out work you or out hustle you, that’s my defining characteristic. As long as I don’t bend my morals or my principles, I want to win at all costs. There is Number One, and then there is everything else, in my mind. Perhaps that is why this is rubbing me the wrong way as much as it is. But those of us who are around sports are taught at an early age, that winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing. To read a professional athlete express that he would rather be the hub rather than a spoke on a winner, to me reflects every thing that is wrong in Sports, and in our Society today. I’m sorry Larry, but I will never look at you with the same admiration I held you in prior to your statement, and I would never want you to play on my team.