"The NBA's conundrum"

The next time you run into an NBA team, try something for me, OK? Ask the players who Bob Pettit, or George Mikan, or Wes Unseld, or Earl Lloyd was.

Ask them about these former NBA icons, about what these past greats mean to the players. I bet half of the team won't even know some of these guys.

That's too bad. And it's also one of the main problems with the NBA today.

When I was so young that I couldn't even toss a ball to the rim, there was a poster on my bedroom wall of a wolf. It read: "Respect your elders."

If today's NBA players had a greater knowledge and respect of those who came before them, I believe several of the "image problems" we constantly hear associated with the league would no longer be issues.

The truth is that most players gifted enough to reach the NBA are pampered from the beginning. Scouts are drooling over them by the time they reach puberty. High school is nothing more than a prep school for the NBA, as is the one year of college ball. By the time players reach the NBA, their heads are so big that any sign of disrespect just isn't going to be tolerated.

Hence, the minor brawl at MSG the other night. J.R. Smith took exception to Mardy Collins’ hard foul. So he retaliated. Carmelo Anthony was sick of the lowly Knicks talking junk and beating up his players, so he threw a cheap punch.

These players lose their cool over the smallest things. Perspective could help them.

Consider the fact that in the 1950s and '60s, most NBA players didn't make enough money from playing to support themselves. So they worked other jobs during the off-season. I’m sorry - I just can't imagine LeBron bagging groceries.

Back in the day players didn't complain at every call. They just played hard as can be for 48 minutes. There was no need for a "no complaining" rule.

If today's young guns sat down and watched some old tapes, they would see what the NBA is all about: Playing hard every night and representing yourself well off the court.

This isn't to say that all of the past NBA greats led A+ lives. But there wasn't a general problem like there is today.

Too many kids not taught to respect authority. Too many kids taught solely to "get yours." Too many kids who don't appreciate their opportunity.

When all they need to do is take a peek into the NBA archives.