According to his job description, David Stern is supposed to be totally neutral and impartial. Except for possibly desiring a big-market rather than small-market team to advance to the NBA Finals, who wins and who loses shouldn’t be something that concerns the commissioner. However, I absolutely guarantee that Stern was passionately rooting for Miami to beat San Antonio in Thursday night’s already infamous M.I.A. game. [Read more…]
When the NBA is doling out suspensions for flagrant fouls and fights, Commissioner David Stern has said that a player’s previous track record factors into determining the penalty. For example, during a nationally televised regular-season game last season, Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace received a seven-game suspension for elbowing James Harden in the head, flooring the Oklahoma City Thunder guard and leaving him with a concussion. World Peace was clearly caught up in the emotion of the moment – which
There are a number of noteworthy players that are on the verge of becoming a restricted free agent by season’s end, including guards Stephen Curry, Jrue Holiday, Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans and others. Why? Because their respective teams have yet to decide whether they are worth the long-term investment. James Harden was also among the boat of players looking to receive a contract extension, but we all know how that ended up (he is preparing to suit up for the
When the Oklahoma City Thunder traded James Harden on Saturday night, they revealed to everyone that they are a team far more concerned with the bottom line than the top of the heap. Probably a bit ahead of schedule, the Thunder reached the NBA Finals last season. As we have said before, they were a questionable foul call away from opening a 2-0 lead on the mighty Miami Heat that would have cultivated the doubt and derision that has swirled around
As we get underway with the NBA season, we know we are in store for some wondrous action. We also know in the majority of the 1,230 regular season games on the schedule, the entertainment will be wonderful. And we know acts of wonder by players will be performed regularly. But as the season begins, we are face with a different sort of wonder – the one of uncertainty. So as we predict and project, I find myself contemplating these mysteries. Call them the Twelve
When you want to hear a candid opinion about any given subject, there may not be a better NBA personnel to listen to than Sir Charles Barkley. The Van Gundy brothers are up there as well, but Barkley just has a way of grabbing you by the balls about what he has to say. He will be honest about anyone, even if it’s about his best friend Michael Jordan, who – as you’ll find out below – doesn’t exactly appreciate the
Have you ever read the book “When the Game Was Ours”? It’s about the rise, rivalry and friendship of two of the finest players in the history of the NBA in Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, and how their love and passion for the game of basketball helped shape the NBA into what it is today. What you also find out in the book is the role of one David Stern, who wasn’t always hated and booed at every basketball event he
