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.
David Stern was never my hero(Maybe if I were an NBA owner). I think his reign as commissioner has been far to dictatorial.
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