Koby Bryant was prepared to set up a temporary loan company for the NBA players when they had that lockout a few years ago. That should give you a hint where some of these NBA players stand with their finances. The paycheck to paycheck thing may be a little over exaggerated, but I guarantee you a few weeks turning into months would be a REAL problem for many of these players.
It already happened just 3 years ago. They lost almost 2 months worth of income. I'm not saying there aren't players that are in financial trouble, but to say that most are living paycheck to paycheck like a janitor who would be without food if they missed a paycheck is ridiculous. That's why I ask what is the criteria. As I've referenced elsewhere one of the criteria I have seen is that you are living paycheck to paycheck if you do not have more than 6 months of expenses in a savings account.