There are a lot of good reasons to follow amateur sports. And, by amateur, I’m referring to everything from Tee-ball to High School Varsity. You know… those who play for the love of the game.

At the collegiate level, the only ones not getting paid the big bucks are the athletes themselves.

And, in the major programs, even they receive a cost-free education, often worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

It seems that purity in sport has all but disappeared in the pros.

At the risk of dating myself, I can remember when you drafted a guy like Roger Staubach and, more often than not, he would be a fixture for your franchise until the day he retired.

Believe it or not, some guys actually felt a sense of loyalty to their team.

Today it’s all about me, myself, and I. Where can I draw the largest paycheck? How do I maneuver myself into a larger market, thereby maximizing my endorsement potential?

Why, just the other day, Dwight Howard actually told the press that one of the reasons he wanted to bolt the Orlando Magic was because they hadn’t been responsive to his suggestions regarding personnel acquisitions over the years.

Apparently he fancies himself a general manager as well as the most dominating center in basketball.

Still, with all that said, NBA Commissioner David Stern did something last week that was so over the top, even the pundits were left speechless.

Within minutes of a three-team mega-trade being announced, Stern had the unmitigated gall to veto the deal.

This move was nothing short of unprecedented, causing a backlash that will be felt for years to come.

In this trade, the Rockets would have received Pau Gasol, the Lakers would have acquired Chris Paul, and the Hornets would have walked away with a bevy of players including the reigning Sixth Man of the Year winner Lamar Odom and a first round draft selection.

Sportswriters, NBA GM’s, and pretty much everyone with a pulse agreed that the deal was fair, benefitting all parties involved, especially New Orleans, who stands to lose Paul when he becomes a free agent at the end of the year.

Oh, and by the way, if that happens, the Hornets will get nothing in return.

So, the six-million dollar question is, what possible reason could the Commish have had for nixing the swap?

Well, to start, the NBA actually owns the Hornets, having been unable to locate a suitable owner for the team.

And for those of you who don’t follow hoops closely, I’m sure you’re thinking… HUH? Yeah! No conflict of interest there, right?

Yet, even with this mind-boggling scenario in place, there wouldn’t seem to be any justification for Stern’s boneheaded decision.

After all, this deal was in no way some form of highway robbery, as in a bench-player for a proven All-Star head-scratcher trade.

The New Orleans (NBA) Hornets were getting fair value in everyone but Stern’s estimation, including Hornets GM Del Demps who, by the way, was hired and approved by the league to make just such a decision in the first place!

Wish I could manage some insight into Stern’s thought process, but I’m every bit as baffled as the media at large.

When asked about the situation, Stern said the decision was made for “Basketball reasons.”

That would be like President Obama ordering Fannie Mae to increase interest rates and citing “Money reasons.”

Not quite the explanation anyone would be hoping for.

And therein lies the problem.

The NBA and its commissioner are no different than any of the other professional leagues.

Above the law, as their federally endowed Anti-Trust exemption suggests. Free to make and change the rules at their own whim.

And, worst of all, completely comfortable with sending a message to the fans that fair play and common sense don’t mean a thing.