Iconic NBA Commissioner David Stern Dies

David Stern, who is credited from taking professional basketball from a distant third amongst major league sports to right at the top, is dead at 77.
Stern was NBA commissioner from 1984 until 2014. At the time he took on the job, there were questions on whether the league could survive.  Stern watched income grow and the league expand.  He is widely credited in promoting superstars like Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and Charles Barkley.
Stern was generally well received by fans around the league until the unexpected sale of the Seattle Super Sonics to a group from Oklahoma City.  Stern was very critical of this area's attempts to prevent the team from leaving it's home of 40 years.  On the other hand, he was not supportive of later efforts to return an NBA team to the area.

It's Final--No NBA In Seattle For 2013-14

Seattle's hopes of gaining an NBA franchise became dim as the NBA voted to keep the Kings in Sacramento.  The Kings have been on the verge of moving for the last few seasons, but a joint effort by NBA commissioner David Stern and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, himself a three time NBA all star has rescued the team each time.  By contrast, when a move by the Seattle Super Sonics took place, Commissioner David Stern rebuked Seattle's efforts to keep the team.

Could The NBA Return Soon?

A Seattle Times report about an NBA team relocating to Seattle has the town buzzing.  Seattle first major sports franchise, the Seattle Super Sonics left town in 2008.  The Times said talks are going on behind the scenes to about a privately financed arena being built, possibly to house what is now, the Sacramento Kings, should a deal for an arena fall through in that city.  The article said that the proposed site would be south of Safeco Field and would possibly also lead to an NHL Hockey franchise relocating to the area. 
After a nasty battle to keep the Sonics in town, many area sports fans lost their taste for the NBA. Comments from Commissioner David Stern aimed toward the city government added insult to injury.

Sonics Move Is Approved!

The NBA has approved the Seattle Super Sonics move to Oklahoma City. According to the Seattle Times.

David Stern Takes A Swipe At Seattle

It doesn't seem that long ago when NBA Commissioner David Stern was everone's hero. Stern assumed the commissioner's position at the beginning of the Magic Johson-Larry Bird era. That was just before extremely marketable superstar Michael Jordan burst on the scene and the NBA rose to incredible heights.
Today the NBA is floundering. It's marquee player Kobe Bryant was involved in a criminal investigation, A shocking fight between the Pacers and the Pistons , New York Knicks coach Isaiah Thomas is involved in a sexual harassment suit, and the latest is the involvement of a referee in a point shaving scandal. Somehow Stern is still commissioner and seems slow to take the blame for the bad turns that the league has taken.
However it has not stopped Stern from criticizing Seattle for taking it's time on a potential arena deal or lack of it. It does not look like Stern has taken the time to investigate exactly what the implications are nor does he have any clue about the local issues involved. Maybe Oklahoma
City is prepared to give the league everything it wants when it wants . If that is the case, losing the Sonics may be less damaging to the area and the region than turning our backs on all the needs of the area and building a third multimillion dollar sports structure in the area.