Being a professional athlete is a dream come true for almost everyone lucky and talented enough to be paid millions of dollars to play a child’s game. But there is a dark side to the dream. Some athletes — blinded by fame or duped by the people close to them or simply because they lack grey matter — end up burning through their fortunes faster than anyone thought possible.

From Scottie Pippen (pictured) to Rollie Fingers and beyond — check out our gallery to see all the cautionary tales that every young baller should read and NOT replicate.

Photos: ATHLETES WHO BLEW THROUGH DOUGH

[truTV]

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