[26 Year Gap]

I think it is part of the American Dream. As a kid, all you need is a ball and a hoop. You don't even need a second person. You can win NCAA, HS & NBA championships with spectacular buzzer-beating shots. It does not take a fortune to be able to play. Even if you do not realize those dreams as you grow up, you still have a seemingly unending opportunity to play for as long as your body lets you....and you still can go out in the driveway by yourself and win all of those championships.

As officials, most of us played the game and some still do. There is a lot of strategy involved whether you are a player, coach or official. Officials have an opportunity to stay close to the game for a long period of their lives. Of course, when we watch games we see them in a totally different light from others. I can imagine what the play by play and color would be like if say BBR & Rut or any number of the regular posters pre-empted Nantz & Packer on CBS. [See, I am still dreaming even now.]