RIP David Stern

As I was watching my Wolverines getting waxed this afternoon, I say that too much lately, news flashed across my tv saying that David Stern had passed away. This was a shock. I know that recently, I believe December 12th, he was rushed to a hospital after having a brain hemorrhage. But, I assumed he was going to be okay because I hadn’t heard much since then. But, while watching the Citrus Bowl, the news scrolled.

I think this is so stunning to me because of how influential Stern was to the NBA, and to getting me back into the game big time while he was in charge. Stern took over as commissioner in 1984, I was only 2, but his time as the boss was unforgettable. He took over the league when guys like Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan were the stars of the league. I think his first year was Jordan’s first year. To take over the league with a player like Jordan at the forefront, you couldn’t ask for it any better. And from there on out, Stern pretty much nailed his job as commissioner.  Stern helped the NBA grow when he took over. He made the game accessible, and watched a ton, in Canada. He got the NBA to be on tv all the time because he knew the product was good enough to get people all over the world to watch. Stern also had a hand in getting the WNBA off the ground. Before Stern, we didn’t have teams move like the Clippers, Grizzlies and Hornets. He also was a part of the relocation of the Sonics, which I’m not a fan of, but the Thunder are a legitimate team. They have been to the Finals, drafted KD, Russell Westbrook and Harden. None of that happens without Stern. Stern was also the guy who vetoed the Chris Paul trade to the Lakers. That would have made them unbeatable, so Stern vetoed it, and then Paul ended up with the Clippers, and then “Lob City” happened. All thanks to Stern. Stern was also the commissioner during the “iced envelope” in the 1985 draft lottery that gave the Knicks the right to draft Patrick Ewing. I’ve always known the draft lottery was rigged, and who cares if that let the Knicks get Ewing. That made New York basketball exciting and relevant again. I’m sure he also had a hand in getting LeBron to Cleveland in his draft. Hometown kid to a hometown, moribund franchise, why not do that. I also loved that he took on morons like Jim Rome. Rome tried to get him to admit to fixing the draft lottery and Stern simply said he didn’t, and then shamed him for asking. I love that. Stern was also a big proponent of not doing load management. He hated it, and so do I. Stern fined players and coaches constantly for doing this, and I supported that. Stern was a very, very important NBA person. He ran the league super well, made it a worldwide phenomenon, dealt with the biggest of stars and never backed down. Stern is a legend and will be remembered rightfully as one.

Rest In Peace David Stern. You will be sorely missed.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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