Nope, I don't even think those kids watch much NBA basketball on TV outside of some play-off games and SportsCenter highlights.

The behavior I see in HS games is the same behavior I've seen in my teenage sons and their friends and youngs guys in clubs and bars. I see it playing pick-up ball on military bases. I see it officiating adult rec leagues.

If anything the NBA has a few players who reflect the same immaturity I see in people regularly in everyday life.

I think folks want to blame NBA players for things that happen in HS basketball instead of holding accountable the folks directly in contact with these kids: parents/siblings/coaches/administrators/teachers/neighborhoods

Akin to when coaches and fans (read: parents) try blame us for games "getting out of control". Don't blame the officials. Blame yourselves (parents/coaches) for teaching/allowing your kids to act that way when they get frustrated.

Let's not let ourselves as officials off the hook. There are more than a few of us - well, maybe not here :rolleyes: - who let kids get away with stuff they shouldn't, be it in sanctioned games or rec ball. What stops it is a combination of us taking care of business and coaches/parents/administrators telling the player or coach they behaved like a rockhead.

I would never say it was just us because that would be insane. We only get to see these kids/coaches for 75-115 minutes during a game so others have more influence. However in those cases where we don't do what we should we're just adding to the problem.