In a sports world full of athletes who are getting convicted of everything from illegal drug use to murder, analysts and writers criticize these athletes for their behavior time and time again. Yet, at the same time, they "withhold" superstar status from those more down-to-earth, high-performance athletes who aren?t more "outspoken."

After Kobe Bryant was accused of sexual abuse last year, media analysts did not seem at all concerned about the well being of his wife. How was she dealing with everything? What about his accuser?

The media didn?t seem to care much about her, either. They had pretty much already drawn their conclusion as to what she was: a deranged harlot hungry for the almighty dollar.

Now whether or not that ended up to be true is beyond me, but back when it all started it was way too soon to draw any conclusions. Had Kobe been found guilty, many members of the sports media, including many in the general public, would have to join the ranks of the Bob Ryans and Tony Kornheisers of this world.

Found guilty or not, that?s not to say he didn?t do it. Right, OJ?

However, concerns about the accuser?s or Kobe?s wife?s well being weren?t tops on anybody?s list. Instead, the number one question seemed to be -- what was the poor NBA going to do now that its star player?s image was tarnished forever?

Oh, woes me! The game will never be the same!

In all reality, the game has never been the same since the ?92 Dream Team and Larry Bird?s retirement. Players of his caliber have long been gone -- personally, I never particularly warmed to MJ ? and the Tim Duncan?s of today are just a blip on the NBA?s flat-lining EKG.

Which brings me to my next point.

Why worry about the Kobe Bryants of this world when you?ve got a fine player like Duncan? He?s a courteous, gracious, generous, hardworking, team-oriented, superstar who could drop 30 points a night while in a coma. Market him, or at least someone like him. Why not a Kevin Garnett? He hasn?t been arrested? yet.

However, the Tim Duncans of the league are purposely ignored. They?re not newsworthy.

Of course, that?s a two-way street. When the Tim Duncans of the sports? world are truly "un-marketable," that speaks volumes about not just about the seller but the target market as well.

Men like Bird and Magic Johnson, in their 1st class seats, helped make the NBA the global sport that it is today. But, I venture to say that if they were playing today, they?d been lucky to ride coach.

My, oh my, how the league has changed!

Today, we?re not really as concerned about seeing great basketball, football, or baseball. We want to see obnoxious end-zone dances, bench-clearing brawls, and pre-game warm-up scuffles. We want to hear about Allen Iverson?s domestic disputes, Ray Lewis? witnessing a murder, Barry Bonds and his use of the juice, Kobe?s extramarital affair, the Portland Trailblazers drug-of-the-week, and just this past week, Rod Artest wanting to take some time off to promote his album.

Professional sports are nothing more than Reality TV, and if this Bud?s for you, than you?re not really a sports fan, but a couch potato.

NVA Commissioner David Stern has prided himself in forming a league whose players are instrumental in making the world a "better place." Seems duplicitous to position yourself as such, and at the same time worry about whether yet another player?s legal problems are going to bring the league?s image down to the level of Spike-TV.

Memo to David Stern, Stu Jackson, media moguls, and millions of fans -- Don?t worry. Be happy! You must be in heaven.

If you?re going to criticize certain players for their extra-curricular activities, and at the same time pooh-pooh the Tim Duncans of the world for their quiet demeanor, either you?ve really got nothing against the Ron Artests and Dennis Rodmans of the world, or your idea of a superstar is unattainable.

Thank God that real superstars are created by the fans and not the media.