What is wrong with professional basketball?

I have been a fan of the sport of basketball since I was a little kid. Like most kids who loved the sport, Michael Jordan was my idol. To this day, my room at my parents house is still covered with Michael Jordan stuff. As most of you know, Michael Jordan was the greatest basketball player to ever live. When watching a game, you knew that Jordan was going win the game by an means necessary. Whether he made the game winning shot, made an assist to someone who hit the game winning shot, blocked a game winning shot for the other team, stole the ball from the other team, or made a crucial rebound. At one point, he was the most known name on the planet. Most importantly, he made the NBA a lot of money because he sold out every arena he played in and his merchandise flew off the shelves. But even though Michael Jordan saved the NBA, he also had a hand in bringing it down.

If you know anything about pro-basketball, you know that it is truly a players league. I once heard Kelvin Sampson, assistant coach to the Milwaukee Bucks and former IU coach, say "In college basketball, it is about the name on the front of the jersey. In pro basketball, its about the name on the back of the jersey." This is completely true. People do not come to a game because they are true fans of the Chicago Bulls. They want to come to a game to see Michael Jordan show off his incredible array of athletic skills. Since most people come to see him play, the referees are encouraged by the NBA to overlook certain calls. It is no question that Michael Jordan took an extra step when driving to the basketball. It is also pretty clear that he pushed Bryon Russel when he made the game winning shot of his 6th NBA championship with the Bulls. The reason these calls aren't made? Because fans are there to see Jordan. If they call every foul, he would have to sit the bench and no one wants to watch MJ sit on the bench. If they call traveling or palming the ball, this keeps the players out of rhythm, which means they will have trouble scoring. People are going to be mad if MJ only has 5 points because he couldn't get into the rhythm of the game.

Today, in the NBA, the biggest superstars are allowed to do things that the average players cannot. The superstars can make little fouls and get away with it. They can travel and palm the ball without much hassle from the refs. This is why people are getting fed up with professional basketball. It is becoming more of a show than an honest display of athletic ability. Die hard basketball fans tend to watch more college basketball, because the officiating is more honest and the game is not about the players.

But to be honest, I do not mind if the superstars get more respect from the refs. I personally feel that they have earned it if they are among the elite in the NBA. It is still an amazing display of athletic ability and is highly entertaining. It isn't rigged or fixed. Refs just don't make nit picky calls on superstars if they do not really matter. People who say they hate the NBA, just don't watch it close enough or have the appreciation for how good these guys really are.

So I ask all of you haters out there, what is wrong with professional basketball?