Not All NBA Players Are Degenerate Gamblers

We've talked at length about the rampant gambling that goes on among NBA players -- it's gotten so bad that some players are apparently leading fans sitting courtside astray -- but David Stern should be happy to know that not every player in his league is traveling down that sinful path.

Jazz guard Dee Brown made a friendly wager with Salt Lake Tribune writer Steve Luhm, though he refused to make it interesting with any money. From Luhm's blog Jazz Notes in the Salt Lake Tribune:

Two weeks ago after a game, I was talking to Brown. The brief discussion turned to Illinois and the upcoming NCAA Tournament. When I suggested the Illini would be lucky to be a No. 10 seed, he was horrified.

Seeing a chance to fleece a gullible young man who was blinded by loyalty to his alma mater, I suggested a friendly wager.

I suggested betting one dollar that Illinois would be seeded higher than No. 10, if it even got an at-large bid to the 65-team tournament. Perhaps because he doesn't make superstar money, Brown wanted to bet something other than one George Washington.

His idea: If Illinois made the tournament as something better than a 10-seed, I would have to bow down to him and his wisdom. On the other hand, if Illinois made the tournament as a 10-seed or higher, he would have to bow down to me.

Because the Jazz immediately embarked on a four-game road trip, I didn't see Brown until this week. Yes, he paid up. He walked out of the locker room prior to Monday's practice, bowed down, shook my hand and laughed. Typical Brown, although I would have preferred the $1.

Considering the league's crackdown on Gilbert Arenas over a ten-spot, it was probably a good idea for Brown to avoiding putting even a single buck on the line. And, on a side note, here's to hoping he put that dollar saved into a jar so he can save up for another totally awesome sport coat like the one pictured above.