Steele Nba Photo

Millionaire athletes and murder

When you have made millions of dollars, you would think performing the ultimate act of violence - murder - would not cross a person's mind.

After all, when you are set financially for life, why risk it?

Of course, killing someone is not exactly something that someone with common sense does.

As far as I know, Javaris Crittenton could be completely innocent. The former NBA first-round pick certainly deserves his day in court like anyone else.

But his arrest last week for what prosecutors are calling a drive-by shooting of a mother of four on the streets of Atlanta is a reminder that fame and riches does not make one immune from the long arm of the law.

Unfortunately, Crittenton is not the first NBA player to have been associated with murder. Several players have even been the victims.

Former Sixer Jayson Williams was accused of killing his limousine driver in 2002. After a couple trials, he eventually pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and was sentenced to five years in prison.

Nickey Van Exel, the son of Atlanta Hawks assistant coach Nick Van Exel, was accused of capital murder in December 2010. He reportedly shot a close friend and dumped his body in a lake near Dallas. He claimed it was an accident. The case has not been decided yet.

On the other side, former Detroit Pistons player Bison Dele and his girlfriend were presumed murdered during a 2002 boating trip. Dele's older brother was on the boating trip and authorities suspected that he killed the pair and dumped their bodies overboard. The brother committed suicide before he could be put on trial.

Veteran NBA post player Lorenzen Wright was presumed murdered last July in Memphis after he left his ex-wife's house and was never seen again. Police are still investigating.

Just because someone is a millionaire, it does not protect them from the worst of the world.

Stuart London is a confirmed Hoopaholic. Read his usually provocative views on the many levels of basketball right here on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Reach him at slondon@phillyburbs.