Inside the NBA’s luxury bubble, and why Joe Ingles was ready to leave
When Australian basketball great Joe Ingles was in the prime of his NBA career, the multimillion-dollar teams were flown across the US in chartered private jets. Having returned to the NBL after 12 seasons in America, he’s back to flying cattle class on Melbourne United’s road trips.
The comedown in airline luxury from his days with the Utah Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves hasn’t fazed him, and that’s because he knows how relentless the NBA grind is on its athletes.
Ingles is enjoying hanging out with Melbourne United teammates, coaches and staff in the Virgin club lounge, as he did on their trip to Perth before the 103-102 loss on Friday night.
“We hang out in the lounge, grab a coffee, yeah, I mean, I got no complaints,” Ingles, 39, said.
Never short of a quip, he added: “Will Larry [Kestelman, majority owner of the NBL] charter us a plane? Probably not. It’d be nice if he would, but no, I mean it’s cool, man.”
The NBA can deliver a life of luxury. There are the eye-watering contracts that could soon even have the top players earning $US1 million ($1.4 million) per game, not to mention the endorsement riches on offer. Then there are the chartered flights, allowing players and staff to swiftly exit a city late at night and arrive at their next destination in the early hours of the morning.
“The flying is cool, like it’s cool flying five nights a week and getting home at 4am,” Ingles said, sarcastically.
“Is it a necessity? Yes, for the amount of games you play and the schedule. You, obviously, can’t sit in the Virgin lounge and wait until the next day and then fly into a city and play. Does it make it a f---load easier? Absolutely. You pull up to the airport, you walk on the plane, and you take off, kind of thing.
“Comfy seats, team nutritionists will have food on there. You can sleep if you want. You can play cards. There’s tables on there. It’s very luxurious in a way, I guess. But, obviously, in saying that, don’t get twisted looking from the outside looking in. The salaries, the big house, the chartered flights, whatever it is, it’s a brutal season and I think people take that for granted.
“I did prior to being in the NBA. I used to sit there and think: ‘Well, of course, LeBron averages 30 a game. It’s LeBron.’ But when you see what it takes on the day to day, on your mind and your body, and the physicality of it, [Minnesota star] Ant Edwards is getting double-teamed every game four or five nights a week and is still putting up 30 points a game, it’s a true level of professionalism.”
Ingles is enjoying life in the NBL, the competition which propelled him into NBA stardom, and a career which has netted him riches he never expected. But as the new NBA season got underway this week, there was a period of adjustment for the father of three who this season is also an ambassador for Prime Video, one of the league’s key broadcasters.
“It was, obviously, a big part of my life for a long time, so it’s very different to be sitting on this end. But yeah, excited to sit back and watch it and watch how it plays out from here and watch the NBA Cup and watch the play-in tournament,” Ingles said.
“All these different things that I’ve I’ve been involved in for so long – it’ll be weird, but it’ll be nice to be on the other side.”
Ingles’ primary focus remains on United, who on Sunday host the defending champions Sydney Kings at John Cain Arena, giving him a chance to catch up with great mate and fellow former NBA player Matthew Dellavedova, who is nursing a calf issue.
United have had a stuttering start to a season, with new coach Jacob Chancefinding his way, while injuries, particularly to marksman Chris Goulding, have hurt. Ingles has delivered as the veteran play-making forward, who can nail a long jump shot – and can still trash talk with the best.
Friday night’s loss to the Wildcats stung, leaving United at 3-5, wasting a huge game from hometown boy Luke Travers, who had 26 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Import Josh Oduro was strong with 22 points, four rebounds and two blocks, point guard Cole Anthony had 19 points and three assists before fouling out late, while Ingles had 11 points, eight assists, six rebounds and three steals.
“We’ve got a bunch of games left, and you want to be playing pretty well a bit later in the season,” Ingles said.
“But we, obviously, have to build towards that, too, so there’s no excuse from that point. We should be, and can, play better.”
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