Player ignores ref

[Hawks Coach]

First, he is a 17 year old kid - why are you asking him if he understands? As much as you took exception to him not answering, he may have felt that your comment was insulting and demeaning. Asking again may simply seem like you are treating him like he is an idiot. You shouldn't be surprised that he didn't respond - the words that were probably on his mind were the kind that can get you T'd up automatically.

You are only looking at this from your perspective. From my perspective, I see an authority figure talking down to a player with enough experience to know and understand the call you have made. You wouldn't say, "you travelled, do you understand what I am saying?" You would understand if that kind of comment offended a player, you probably didn't realize that your comment may have been equally offensive.

Now having said that, silence is definitely something that should not be T'd up. I am not sure what sportsmanship code requires that a player answer an official's question - it may be impolite, but it is a huge stretch to call an unsportsmanlike T for this. Even more so when you consider the points I made above.