The Magic have consistently been screwed by a combination of bad luck and poor decisions. Grant Hill's lack of a career (if he'd stay healthy, he'd likely be a HOF lock) is just another in the list of ways that this franchise has dug itself deeper and deeper into the abyss.
Some numbers: "since signing a seven-year, $92.88 million contract in August of 2000, Hill has played in just 47 of a possible 246 games." So through the end of this year, he'll have made approx. $53 million of his money. That's $1.129 million a game. Assuming 38 mins a game, that's $29,716 a minute. I know it's probably a faulty assumption that he's getting paid the exact same every year, but it made the calculation a bit easier. Even if my per minute number is off a bit, still, wow.
Ufez: what's really crazy is that your per-minute number is off by about 25%- last year he only played 29 mpg, and the seasons before that 33 and 36 minutes (for 4 and 14 games, respectively.) So your final number is probably a bit off. vito: in the NFL, at least, 'guaranteed' contracts mean nothing of the sort, and I believe in the MLB they're pretty weak as well. I'm pretty sure the NBA has the strongest meaning of 'guaranteed' of any of the leagues. corpse: the Williams incident reminded all the Duke fans I know of Bobby Hurley, who was never the same after his near-death experience. I hope Jason can come back, but we're just hoping he can walk again first.
Guaranteed contracts in MLB ARE guaranteed. There is nothing the team can do to get out from under them except to trade the player or find some loophole to render it null/void (an example would be Jeff Kent riding a motorcycle even though it is expressly forbidden in his contract). Most teams have injury insurance taken out on their high-priced player, but that's starting to change. Albert Belle ("retired" from baseball for the past 3 seasons because of degenerative hip disorder) is still listed on Baltimore's 40-man roster strictly for insurance purposes. The insurance will pay for most of his salary while he is on the "disabled list" and on the roster. When Tampa Bay ditched Greg Vaughn at the start of the season (outright released him), they were still on the hook for the remainder of his insanely huge salary. Guaranteed = gonna get paid unless you retire or die
