David Stern Is Smart
But you already knew that…
It is often said that David Stern is the best commissioner in pro sports. To be fair, his competition isn’t exactly what one would deem as “strong”—Garry Bettman lords over a practically non-existent league, Bud Selig has been the butt end of jokes more times than Kevin Federline (OK, that’s a bit of a stretch), and Roger Goodell is too new at his job to count. Stern rules over what is arguably the most popular league in the world; and many say he does so with an iron fist.
This season he took things to a new level by introducing a wildly unpopular new basketball, giving more power to the refs in an effort to crackdown on player complaints, and made changes to players’ on court attire. He did all of this without consulting the players or their union. They were pissed, and rightfully so. Four days ago, the NBA Player’s Union filed a lawsuit against the league; they filed two unfair labor practice charges.
Stern, to the surprise of some (including yours truly), has decided to take a diplomatic approach to the situation. Today, in an interview posted on the New York Times website, he acknowledged that the way in which the league introduced the new ball was misguided, that they should have consulted the players beforehand: “In hindsight, we could have done a better job.”
Stern also said that the league will be going back to Spalding, the ball’s manufacturer, to address the players’ complaints about the new ball:
“But if our players are unhappy with it, we have to analyze to the nth degree the cause of their unhappiness. Everything is on the table. I’m not pleased, but I’m realistic. We’ve got to do the right thing here. And, of course, the right thing is to listen to our players. Whether it’s a day late or not, we’re dealing with this. I won’t make a spirited defense with respect to the ball, Stern told the Times. With respect to the ball, I take responsibility for that.”
Stern did not address the charge regarding the refs, but you can be sure something will be done about it before things get out of hand. The last thing the NBA needs is another date in court.
In recent days and weeks, some people, when not too busy making “Don’t close the NBA” videos, went as far as to call for David Stern’s resignation in light of the unpopular league-wide changes. This, of course, is completely insane. He is the best at what he does. And sure, this may just be a political move to get the players’ union to cool off, but it’s still a step in the right direction. For all intents and purposes, Stern is the players’ boss. One of the signs of a good boss is someone who listens and takes his employees seriously; for now anyway, Stern is doing just that.
14 Responses to “David Stern Is Smart”
Dec.6 at 3:24 am
Froggiestyle says:
Most folks still prefer Howard Stern tho.
Dec.6 at 10:48 am
Sparker says:
the most “(what?)” league in the world (last sentence, first paragraph). challenging? high-profile? international? up-and-down? lopsided? star-centric? autocratic? anal? just curious.
Dec.6 at 10:51 am
marcel mutoni says:
any of those would’ve fit in, sparker. but i went with “popular” just to be on the safe side. just in case sternbot comes across it…
Dec.6 at 12:07 pm
Sparker says:
smart man. i imagine he has teams of cyber-sternbots, patrolling nba blogs and looking for violations like non-regulation length posts and wearing arm bands while typing.
Dec.6 at 12:41 pm
SmilingPolitely says:
But he’s only listening because the player’s union filed a lawsuit. If that hadn’t happened, it would be business as usual in Stern Land.
Dec.6 at 1:12 pm
Jamison says:
Regarding the technicals, I think the crackdown is a good thing. I jsut wish it was called equally. Rasheed yells “OH!” after a foul is called on him- TECHNICAL! D-Wade gives the ref a death stare for 5 seconds after not getting a call and they look the other way. They just need to be consistent.
Dec.6 at 2:20 pm
Bryant Reeves says:
did Stern ever take the Wonderlic test?
Dec.6 at 4:38 pm
Need4Sheed says:
need4sheed.com go to the site and do the right thing. TAKE THAT D.STERN!!!
Dec.6 at 6:39 pm
» The Links: New Balls, Shoe Deals and Rashard Lewis Traded? - SLAM Online says:
[…] THE LINKS… • Mutoni already noted this, but yesterday the David Stern Robot made an unprecedented admission of error in the handling of the new ball. As Stern said, “I won’t make a spirited defense with respect to the ball. In hindsight, we could have done a better job. I take responsibility for that.” Which basically means: “Someone here screwed up and I’m going to take this out on them. But in public? My bad.” […]
Dec.6 at 6:54 pm
Dblizzy! says:
Yeah I agree with you Jamison, but the league is never consistant when it comes to superstars. Just like when Dwade goes to the hole, get a little bump and he’s shooting two and then Dorell Wright gets the same bump and nothing is called. I don’t think the superstar treatment will ever end. Not to ramble, but I saw a game one time a few years back. Gary Payton got a tech in the first quarter. He then got a double tech in the second and should have been thrown out right? No. he went up to the ref and I read his lips he said “I’m out the game now, I’m out the game now!” the refs huddled and changed his to a personal instead of a tech, but kept the other guy (Anthony Peeler) as a tech. I thought that was just amazing.
Dec.11 at 5:20 pm
jbn74sb says:
Monday, December 11, 2006
Leather ball will return on Jan. 1 ——————————————————————————–
By Marc Stein
ESPN.com NBA commissioner David Stern, in a stunning reversal, has decided to shelve the new microfiber composite basketball after just a few months of use and switch back to the old leather model for all games starting Jan. 1, ESPN.com has learned. The decision will be formally announced by the league later this week, according to sources close to the situation. Despite an avalanche of player complaints about the new synthetic model from the first day of training camp in October, skepticism was high among players that Stern would consent to a change during the season. But with a number of prominent players complaining of cuts on their hands caused by the new ball’s high-friction cover — Phoenix’s Steve Nash and New Jersey’s Jason Kidd among them — Stern was forced to concede that an in-season swap was unavoidable with the new ball inflicting injuries. Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com.
May.17 at 4:18 pm
B. Heard says:
David Stern may be a good commissioner, but he is erroring Far Greater than he can imagine. His goal of trying to clean up the league (NBA) is going to go totally opposite if he (David) does not do something very very soon to offset the “wrong decision” he has made to suspend Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw, do to “the rules”. Mr. Stern is awarding “dirty playing” and penalizing the clean playing because he (Stern) “thinks” he is following “the rules”. Mr. Stern has basically pulled the legs off a spider and expects it to survive. Where are your “guts” Mr. Stern. You say “it is not about what’s right”? If you really believe this, you are not in the right position. Now you’ve amplified the mess to the point it is now, You, Mr. Stern, need to step up and either throw out the last game, or fine the Spurs one game and get this back on a level field. If you allow this mess to continue and the Spurs win the western conference, whether they win fairly from here. Basketball from here on is going to be like Hockey and Football. Bring on the dirtiest players. You Mr. Stern lose and so does Basketball. Mr Stern, stand up and admit you goofed, big time, before it is way too late. I hope you are not a mouse.
May.19 at 1:48 am
Jeff says:
Amazing, as I have watched the NBA for over 30 years and this is the first time I have seen anyone get suspended for basically just stepping on the court. No shoving, attempt at throwing an elbow, fist, or any act of physical agression. Yet, Bruce Bown can knee someone in the groin and slap and kick at people with no flagrant foul or ejection.
Nov.13 at 9:10 pm
bob says:
Stern is a dumbo, he should have kept his mouth shut, he went from one rogue ref to 30 and then changed the rules, wait until donaghy talks, he has a story I am sure, he will be on Opra with a best seller