Some of the top basketball players earn millions of dollars for their jaw-dropping work on court. Just in case you missed it - April 16 marked the beginning of the 2016 NBA playoffs, the peak of professional basketball and the pinnacle for NBA addicts. These are the top 10 players who take home some fat packages.
1. Kobe Bryant
Bryant is a living legend. He played in seven NBA finals and his team won five championships. He will be missed by many as he bid farewell to his NBA career this season.
Born: August 23 1978 in Philadelphia, US
Height: 6’6
Current Team: Retired (20 seasons with Los Angeles Lakers)
Salary: $25,000,000 (Dh91,848,750)
Spouse: Vanessa Bryant
Children: Natalia Diamante Bryant and Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant
2. LeBron James
As a basketball player since his high school days, James has climbed the ladder of success. Forbes has ranked him as one of the world’s most influential athletes throughout his career.
Born: December 30, 1984 in Akron, Ohio, US
Height: 6’8
Current team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Salary: US$22,970,500 (Dh84,392,468)
Spouse: Savannah Brinson (m.2013)
3. Carmelo Anthony
A tragic incident occurred in Anthony’s childhood forcing him to move to Baltimore. To make his late father proud, he worked on his athletic skills and was drafted to the NBA in 2003.
Born: May 29, 1984 in New York City, US
Height: 6’8
Current team: New York Knicks
Salary: US$22,875,000 (Dh84,041,606)
Spouse: La La Anthony (m.2010)
4. Dwight Howard
Playing for the Orlando Magic until 2012, Howard established himself as an all-rounder. After, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers and then signed with the Houston Rockets as a free agent.
Born: December 8, 1985 in Atlanta, Georgia, US
Height: 6’11
Current team: Houston Rockets
Salary: US$22,359,364 (Dh82,147,185)
Children: Braylon Howard
5. Chris Bosh
As a studious and athletic person, Bosh wasn’t entirely convinced with his academic pursuit. Though, he did enroll himself at Georgia Tech College, he later dropped out to pursue a professional basketball career.
Born: March 24, 1984 Dallas, Texas, US
Height: 6’11
Current team: Miami Heat
Salary: US$22,192,730 (Dh81,534,980)
Spouse: Adrienne Williams Bosh
Children: Dylan Skye Bosh, Jackson Bosh, Lennox Noel Bosh, Phoenix Avery Bosh, Trinity Bosh
6. Chris Paul
Since the time Paul learned the tricks to basketball from his father, his eyes were set on a professional basketball career. He is a recipient of the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, two Olympic gold medals and led the NBA in assists four times.
Born: May 6 1985 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
Height: 6’0
Current Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Salary: US$21,468,695 (Dh78,874,912)
Spouse: Jada Crawley
7. Kevin Durant
Apart from the court, Durant can also be seen in the film – “Back to the Future.” He is known for his down to earth personality, kind demeanor to his fans and active charity work in the Oklahoma City area.
Born: September 29, 1988 in Washington, D.C., United States
Height: 6’9
Current Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Salary: US$20,158,622 (Dh74,061,769)
8. Derrick Rose
Rose was shut down for the final two games of the season. Nothing has stopped from playing basketball - not even multiple injuries.
Born: October 4, 1988 in Chicago, Illinois United States
Height: 6’3
Current Team: Chicago Bulls
Salary: US$20,093,064 (Dh73,820,912)
9. Dwayne Wade
Trying to come to terms with his troubled childhood, Wade turned to basketball as a way to fill the void. Since then, he has won three NBA championships.
Born: January 17, 1982 in Chicago Illinois United States
Height: 6’4
Current Team: Miami Heat
Salary: US$20,000,000 (Dh73,479,000)
Spouse: Gabrielle Union (m.2014)
Children: Zion Malachi Airamis Wade, Xavier Zechariah Wade, Zaire Blessing Dwyane Wade
10. LaMarcus Aldridge
During his second year at the University of Texas, Aldridge dropped out and entered the 2006 NBA Draft. He is known to receive professional advice from retired basketball superstar – Shaquille O’Neal.
Born: July 19, 1985 in Dallas, Texas United States
Height: 6’11
Current Team: San Antonio Spurs
Salary: US$19,689,000 (Dh72,320,650)
You can check out the playoff schedule here
