Yeah, it is. Stems from the days when slaves were called "boy." It depends on the use and context, though.
If he said "Son", it would of been different. However, to say "Boy" in the hear of the moment, makes this worse than it should be.
Boy is a degrading term in general. I know if someone called me boy at my job or wherever i'd probably flip out.
the ref was black though, so i thought that blacks could call other blacks anything and it wasn't offensive. I guess the rule changed.
It's an insulting term that shouldn't have been said -- sure. But I don't think it's THAT big of a deal.
well the ref cause the nets and vince one game so maybe he should at least be suspended for one game. Doesn't matter if he meant it or not he said it, and then reacted poorly to vc with the two t's.