The NBA has done a lot to make basketball a popular sport around the world. New Commissioner Adam Silver has followed the same plan as his predecessor David Stern. Although the global games first began in 1978 and into 1979, there was a five year gap until Stern entered as the Commissioner. NBA teams were matched against teams from inside and outside the league almost every year throughout his tenure, and there’s been at least one global game played since
PHILADELPHIA – Let’s begin with a question. In the three-plus decades since David Stern took the reins as NBA commissioner from Larry O’Brien and handed them to Adam Silver, what do these franchises – the Atlanta Hawks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans, Charlotte Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers – have in common? Answer: None has gone to the NBA Finals. Furthermore, among that group only Denver, Minnesota, Milwaukee, Sacramento and
Sports generally and the NBA specifically have always been pioneers, years ahead of society when it comes to racial issues. Black players entered the NFL in 1946, MLB in 1947 and the NBA in 1951, all more before Brown vs. Board of Education in 1954 and over a decade ahead of the pivotal civil rights events of the 1960s. The NBA has continued to be a leader with more African-American players, coaches, GMs and owners than any other league. Even the fans
The picture above – The Oklahoman newspaper with the headline “Mr. Unreliable” to describe hometown hero Kevin Durant – caused a serious stir around the league on Thursday for obvious reasons. It’s one thing for anyone else to describe Durant with such a negative connotation, but for his hometown paper to do so for a guy that has done such incredible things for the organization? Naturally, many were upset, and it caused editor Mike Sherman of The Oklahoman to come out with
I have already chimed in with my knee-jerk reaction to Adam Silver’s press conference performance Saturday night. I gave him an ‘F’ — and I stand behind that grade. Let’s face it — David Stern spoiled us. When a crisis hit the Association under Stern’s reign, Mount David erupted when Stern decided it was time to go volcanic. Silver? Let’s put it this way: He couldn’t have done a better job Saturday night of showing everyone exactly how much he is not a carbon
Monday afternoon the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame welcomed its class of 2014 inductees. For the NBA, it was a great unveiling, as seven-time NBA All-Star and 2006 NBA champion with the Miami Heat Alonzo Mourning and six-time All-Star and Sacramento Kings great Mitch Richmond were announced. They join recently retired NBA commissioner David Stern—who was previously announced. [Read more…]
With all eyes on NBA All-Star weekend, thanks in large part to the marketing vision of David Stern, the league takes this focused opportunity to make several announcements. One of which is who will be elected into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014. [Read more…]
Adam Silver is in a tough spot. Silver became the NBA’s fifth commissioner on Saturday. He follows David Stern, whose 30 years as the league’s top executive likely will be unmatched by anyone in any sport. Silver begins his term without facing a major problem that needs immediate fixing or a hot-button issue that requires immediate attention. With TV contracts running through 2016, labor peace assured until at least 2017 and most of the top stars in their 20s, the NBA is