Growing up in Philadelphia I had no choice but to become a huge basketball fan. I grew up in Philly during the heyday of Philly hoops. Dr. J and Moses Malone leading the Sixers to the city's last pro sports title way back in 1983. Andrew "The Boston Strangler" Toney ripping the hearts out of Celtics fans. Even "Sir Charles" Barkley rumbling down the court in those tight shorts from yesteryear.

On the college level it was Lionel "L-Train" Simmons leading the nation in scoring. Mark Macon with his relentless game putting the Temple Owls back on the map. Who could forget Ed Pinckney leading the Villanova Wildcats to an epic upset of the Georgetown Hoyas?

And then the purest form of basketball of all. High school hoops. Aaahh I remember it just like yesterday. Hating the Rasheed Wallace led team of Simon Gratz. They were always getting the pub, we at Parkway High School thought we deserved. The feeling that the season lived and died with every game. Back when you played because you loved the game. What happened to those days?

Something changed from the late 1980's to today. Basketball isn't what it used to be. I still enjoy the action on the court but it's all the stuff off the court I could live without. It seems like nowadays recruiting has become more important than the games themselves. How many times have we heard "hotshot basketball prospect is considering State U?" Or "he's a five star recruit?" Or the best one of all "so and so is the top player in the class of 2020." When is enough, enough?

Maybe I'm showing my age here but recruiting and the over-scrutinizing of young basketball players is getting out of control. No longer can kids play the game for the enjoyment of the game. It's now big business. "If you don't play in this summer league tournament you might fall by the wayside." That's ridiculous. What happened to high- schoolers getting a summer job to have a little pocket money? Now their summer job is playing basketball, and they can't even get paid for playing. Kids should be allowed to be kids. They shouldn't have to be pressured into thinking their jump shot, or handle is the only thing that matters. Like that's the only way they can get ahead.

Where did things go so wrong? Is it the internet which has allowed every Joe Schmoe to have an opinion? Is it the pressure put on college coaches who are expected to have a winning team year in and year out? Maybe all of the above.

All I know is the game I grew up loving in Philadelphia has taken a backseat to recruiting and other off the court stuff.

Let me know what you think.

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