Kenny Anderson of the Boston Celtics has told the world about the possibility of having to sell one of his eight luxury cars to make ends meet during the NBA lockout. That's nothing, though. Michael Doleac, the first-round pick of the Orlando Magic, has Anderson beat when it comes to lockout-related hardship, hands down.
Doleac is, literally, homeless.Actually, Doleac's predicament isn't nearly as bad as it may sound, even if he is, in the truest sense, "homeless." It's a fact that the former University of Utah star center hasn't made a single dollar for playing professional basketball to date. Still, you're much more likely to find him in a pickup game at Westminster College's gym, lifting weights at the U. or even at the movies than you are seeing him at an I-15 exit holding a "Will work for food" sign.
Doleac has a warm place to sleep each night -- thanks to the graciousness of others. Since the lease on his Salt Lake City apartment expired at the end of last month, he's been relying on friends to provide him shelter from the December cold.
"I've got no place to live out here," said Doleac. "I've just been living from place to place because I don't want to get a six-month lease and then have the lockout end and be stuck with it."
Doleac may not have his own apartment here, but he's not planning to leave Utah soon -- unless the lockout ends. He has a workout routine going where he plays and lifts each day with NBA players. Doleac takes part in sessions each morning at Westminster with Jazz players and other invitees. There he goes up against other big men such as Greg Ostertag, Greg Foster, Isaac Austin and Thurl Bailey on a regular basis.
"I've learned a lot from these guys," said Doleac after a re- cent workout with Jazz players at Westminster. "They've been there (in the NBA) and know what you have to do. I don't. They can tell me what it's like. It's been a great experience playing with them."
After his morning pick-up basketball games he heads to the U. for weight training, often with Jazz forward Adam Keefe.
That still leaves the academic All-American with plenty of time on his hands -- time that could have been spent in the classroom had he known the lockout would drag on this long. "That's the most frustrating part," said Doleac, who someday wants to go to medical school but who still has a few classes to take to earn his undergraduate degree. "I need to finish school. It's hard not knowing when this thing is going to end."
So he spends time at Ute practice -- but he can't practice with them because it would be against NCAA rules.
"When I go to (Ute) practice I just sit on the side and watch and act basically like a manager --
get them water, wipe up the floor," he said.
Meanwhile, Doleac is missing out on the big paychecks he could be receiving right now as a first-round pick. Still, he thinks he's better off than many of the NBA players who've made millions over the years.
"It's a lot easier for me than it is for the rest of the (locked out) guys because I'm used to living off of $700 a month," Doleac said. "I don't have any bills or expenses. I can make nothing -- and live on it."
Doleac, who is represented by super-agent David Falk, has made enough money off of basketball cards and autograph signings that he has enough to live on for awhile. He knows he will eventually make a comfortable living playing basketball.
For now, though, he's just like most basketball fans in the country. He can't understand why billionaire owners and millionaire players are having such a hard time splitting billions in a way both sides can be happy.
"It's so frustrating to me that I don't even pay attention to it anymore," he said. "People ask me all the time when the lockout's going to end and I tell them I have no idea."
Falk also represents Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing among other big name players who are vocal in the union. NBA commissioner David Stern has even implied that Falk and other high-powered agents may be the reason a settlement hasn't been reached. While Falk is on the front-lines of the lockout talks, Doleac says his agent hasn't been sharing any inside secrets about the negotiations with him. He's more concerned about his own immediate future -- which right now is up in the air.
"I don't know if I'm going to go to Europe or if I'm going to go to back school or what will happen," Doleac said. "What can you do?"
After a moment Doleac answered his own question.
"Just wait and hope."