David Stern was known for many things during his 30 year tenure in the NBA. Wow! 30 years! (Most people don't even stay married that long.) During those 30 years, he has managed to relocate the Kings, Clippers, Nets, Grizzlies, Hornets, and Sonics. Not only that, but he was responsible for creating new NBA teams including the Hornets, Heat, Timberwolves, Magic, Grizzlies, Raptors and Bobcats. He even named the NBA Finals MVP trophy from the Larry O'Brien trophy to the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award.
In my opinion, one of the most successful things that Stern was able to accomplish during his 30 year stint was ratifying the NBA Dress Code. I admire former commissioner Stern for this! It prevented NBA players from dressing in street attire that wasn't very professional. He wanted his players to have an image to attain. He wanted them to look like professionals, not high school hoop stars. He and Allen Iverson had very different opinions about this matter. The new dress code banned players from wearing headphones, chains, sunglasses, jerseys, headgear, etc. This dress was not accepted before or during NBA events.
Although he was a great guy, Stern had been known to be tough as nails. He seemed to have bewildered everybody when he asked Jim Rome on nationally televised show "Rome Is Burning", if Rome was still beating his wife. That was classic!
Commissioner Silver seems to want what is best for the NBA, the players, and the fans. He appears to be dedicated, and bold. Recently, he mentioned that he wants the NBA to be rival the NFL in popularity. Good luck with that. I mean, I am not saying that it cannot be done. What I am saying is that he is going to have to change a lot. It could be getting rid of back to back games and extending the NBA season, or it could be getting rid of the conferences. Who knows?
One thing I love about Adam Silver is that he has been under the tutelage of former commissioner Stern as Deputy Commissioner for some time. He has learned from the best. No doubt that Silver will be using some methods that Stern has used. I cannot wait until he is given his first trying situation as commissioner because you know that there is going to be something that needs to be addressed.
If Silver wants changed, he has to do something about the referees. Everybody has been complaining about those guys. Joey Crawford leads the pack. The man is arrogant and believes he is the law on the court. It is not necessary. I have always believed that the referees had too much power. He should assign an overseer or something of the sort to every game. The overseer would be over the referees and the entire game. In critical decisions, the overseer would be sure that the refs are officiating correctly. I don't care if my idea sounds loony. The fact remains that something needs to be done about the refs. Period.
Another thing would be that horrid NBA League Pass. The fans deserve a broader range of games on ESPN, TNT, and NBC. I find this completely redundant because almost every single good game is broadcast on NBA League Pass while the broader range of NBA fans get to see crummy games that feature two teams that are completely subpar. The fans deserve more. You want to beat out the NFL, start with making key decisions such as this. Adam Silver, this will increase revenue!
Two words: LIVE LOTTERY!
I would not change the regular season. The regular season is fine. Some fans want back to back games eliminated. Some say eliminate timeouts to speed up the game. Some believe the people should be penalized for flopping. Some believe it messes up the game due to extreme embellishment.
Adam Silver is a really good guy and the NBA seems to be in good hands. I see major changes coming.
*Oh, and I have decided to include the clip of the ex commissioner, David Stern asking Jim Rome if he still beats his wife. Rome accused the NBA of rigging the lottery. You can thank me later. *
Stern vs Jim Rome
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