The NBA: Athletes or Animals?

Is it just me or have NBA players been throwing more punches on the court than they are making baskets?
I was watching the news this weekend when once again I saw a basketball brawl. The game was between the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks. The Knicks were getting blown out of their own building, and I guess you can say that they did not take it very well. When Denver Nugget J.R. Smith went to the basket for an easy lay up, New York Knick Mardy Collins grabbed him by the neck and threw him on the ground. As a normal reaction, Smith was angry. He got up and fought with Collins. Eventually, New York Knick Nate Robinson got in the middle and wrestled with Smith in the front row of the stands. Denver Nugget Carmelo Anthony made the situation worse when he punched Collins in the face, which was uncalled for in my opinion.
You would think these NBA players would have learned from the violent brawl that took place two years ago between the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers. That fight not only involved several fans, but also gave NBA players the reputation for acting too “gangster.”
Here is a message to some NBA players: If you want to fight for a living, then there is another sport for that. You might have heard of it: wrestling. Basketball is supposed to be fun to watch, and it is sad when certain players feel the need to ruin a sport that so many people love to watch. Plus, and most importantly, there are young people who look up to these players as role models. Lately, sports figures do not deserve to be role models. It disgusts me when high salary players (some are way over paid) feel that they can do whatever they want, and take whatever action they want to take. These players are grown men, yet they have the maturity level of 7-year-olds. I am surprised at what poor losers some of these players and teams are. Grabbing your opponent by the neck and throwing him to the ground just because your team is losing by 20 points is not very good sportsmanship. Be a better person than that.
Nowadays, it seems like players cannot even get along with their own teammates or coach for that matter. Take Allen Iverson for example. He has never been able to get along with teammates and has had problems agreeing with coaches. Recently, he demanded to be traded from the Philadelphia 76ers because he was not getting along with his coach. I think Iverson needs to grow up and learn to be less selfish. While the 76ers tried to find a deal with another team who would take Iverson, he sat at home and continued to be paid the big bucks. Iverson is obviously a very talented basketball player, but his attitude and behavior will not win him a championship anytime soon. Iverson was finally traded to the Denver Nuggets. That is all the Nuggets need, another immature player.
Now, not all players are immature. There are decent players left in the NBA. I just wish that there were more decent players.
Luckily, the players involved in the recent brawl were punished. They were suspended for several games without pay. Hopefully, they will learn their lesson. I wish that these stars of the NBA will grow up and play clean basketball. They need to realize that they all have one thing in common. They are doing something that they love to do, and millions of people love to watch. I have been a basketball fan since I was a child. There is nothing like watching an exciting basketball game where both teams are having fun out there on the court. I hope that one day all games can be like that again.