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When we watch our favorite athletes and entertainers hit the stage or the court, we are mesmerized by their performances. They have skills that we all try to emulate, but we never succeed on their level. This aura of greatness eludes us.
This applies off the stage, too. Most public figures have a large sum of money to buy whatever their hearts desire. It heavily contributes to their celebrity status.
This is where NBA players enter the discussion. Basketball stars have been some of the most sought-after phenoms on the planet for decades. The world stopped in January 2020 when Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant passed away suddenly in a tragic helicopter accident. We react to these people because they speak to us on a cultural level.
The cool things that NBA players buy still remain relevant to this day. From sporty rides and their convertible car insurance to exotic animals on the prowl, there is no lack of interesting things NBA players own.
#1 - Klay Thompson's Fishing Boat
Klay Thompson has been drilling jump shots for the Golden State Warriors for over a decade now. He has been rewarded with large contracts from the team, and he bought a nearly 40-foot long fishing boat a couple of years ago. There are no specifics on how much the boat costs, but some fishing boats cost only $10,000.
This is a large sum of money, but it's not impossible for a non-celebrity to save up enough cash to splurge and buy a boat. It's also refreshing to see an athlete choose a different method of transportation than sports cars. Thompson enjoys riding in his boat to practices and games on sunny days.
#2 - Dwight Howard's Snakes
This legendary center has played for several teams in his career. He has called Los Angeles, Houston, and Orlando home to name a few. This makes him one of the most notable centers in the game's history. He also has a colorful personality that is unmatched in the NBA.
One of the ways he stands out off the court is through his love of wildlife and exotic pets. There has been much fanfare made throughout the years as it relates to Howard's collection of pet snakes. These reptiles have a bad reputation, but they can be quite fun if you know how to care for them.
But how expensive would it be to purchase one yourself? It depends on the type. Some snakes like the California king snake can cost less than $100. You need to take into account feeding and veterinary costs, but this applies to all animals.
All in all, this is one of the most affordable pets out there. Howard owns dozens of them, and this gluttony is another example of athletes spending in excess just because they can. Don't get intimidated by that number of purchases. Buy one snake, and feel good knowing that you aren't going to break the bank.
#3 - Jordan Clarkson's Corvette
Jordan Clarkson jumped around the NBA in his early seasons, but he's finally found a home with the Utah Jazz. He won the league's Sixth Man of the Year accolade in 2021, showing that he deserves the large contract he's now enjoying.
Cars seem like a staple of every celebrity's lifestyle, but Clarkson's C8 Corvette is different. Its distinct cream color is a contrast to the typical red or blue that most Corvettes come in. It was custom painted for the star athlete's tastes, something that most likely added a hefty price to the purchase.
If you want to buy a Corvette or a similar convertible, they are more affordable than you think. The C8 can come in at as low as $60,000. This excludes the modifications that Clarkson made to the vehicle, obviously. Let's also note that this is still a lot of money for most people. We're saying that it is manageable if you have good savings.
The fact that athletes and celebrities always add more features to their purchases makes it look like the rest of us can't afford nice things. These additional modifications are status symbol elements to show the extra income that athletes bring in. They want to flaunt their worth, something all of us would probably do.
Another thing that you should consider if you are going to buy a Corvette or another convertible is the price of insurance on it. Rates on these cars can go over $2,000 annually. This is a drop in the hat for Clarkson, but not for middle-class folks who are used to lower average car insurance rates. Keep this in mind if you purchase a sports car.
#4 - Jimmy Butler's Fish Tank
Staying with animals, Jimmy Butler's hobbies include owning fish. This seems pretty common, right? Well, the star forward has the tank designed in the shape of a boom box. The housing unit also plays music. This shows that Butler wanted an aquarium that didn't just look unique, but was also realistic and useful.
He also didn't have to pay for this fish tank. The executives at Animal Planet, the famous television channel, gifted him the unit for free. The fact that rich people also get so many things given to them makes it hard for normal people to feel like they can replicate these things in their own homes.
Remember that fish are some of the most common household pets. You may not be able to purchase a 6,000-pound aquarium, but you can still own some cool marine life for a reasonable price.
As you can see, athletes have a lot of cool things. NBA players are known for their fun personalities and the random products they buy (or get gifted) reflect their vibrancy. Try to find alternative ways to emulate what they own if you want to get in on the fun. You should find that it may not be as hard as you first think it is.
Shawn Laib writes and researches for the car insurance website, CarInsuranceComparison.com. He likes mixing pop culture with insurance information to educate audiences about both topics in fun ways.
