David Stern Can’t Hear Himself Think
I haven’t found myself in agreement with many of D-Stern’s policy decisions over the last few years. The dress code fiasco, for example; the attempted elimination of any and all hard fouls (especially in the postseason) is another.
The commish’s latest crusade, though, makes total sense and has my full support.
“I’m going to get in trouble for this, but I think they’re ridiculous. I think the noise, the fire, the smoke is a kind of assault that we should seriously consider reviewing in whether it’s really necessary given the quality of our game,” Stern said.
“But I always bite my tongue because I’m not the demographic that wants to be assaulted by loud rap, smoke, pyrotechnics and chemicals. It makes me sort of outdated, but I think it’s time for us to say, ‘Hey guys, let’s look at it one more time,’” he said
Hear hear!
You practically need to bring along a set of ear plugs when attending an NBA game these days. Artificial noise doesn’t create atmosphere in a sports arena; if anything, it completely takes it away. Here’s to hoping that Stern’s annoyance with the whole thing will lead to some changes.
35 Responses to “David Stern Can’t Hear Himself Think”
May.13 at 12:02 pm
Myles Brown says:
One of these days that sh*t is going to go horribly wrong. Like Michael Jackson wrong.
May.13 at 12:07 pm
Gerard Himself says:
Myles, I highly doubt sleeping with children is part of the halftime entertainment.
May.13 at 12:09 pm
J-Smoove says:
they dont only pay loud rap at the beginning of games Mr. Stern
May.13 at 12:11 pm
Myles Brown says:
That was funny. Well, funnier than anything on TBS.
May.13 at 12:16 pm
riggs says:
thanks for singling out rap commish.
May.13 at 12:17 pm
James aka The Artist Formerly Known as Krayzie Bone says:
That brings up an interesting point: Who has the most flammable hair in the NBA?
May.13 at 12:17 pm
Gerard Himself says:
thanks, I guess. Speaking of Michael Jackson, he now has a loan so he can keep Neverland. A loan I tell ya!~A loan! We should call him MJ Hammer from now on.
May.13 at 12:18 pm
Ryan Jones says:
I like that the same fans who want “loud rap” are the ones who want pyrotechnics and “chemicals.” What the f*ck does that even mean?
May.13 at 12:18 pm
Myles Brown says:
That Poison is going to do the ASG halftime show next year.
May.13 at 12:18 pm
Carolyn says:
Agreed. I was at the Cavs game last night and am still waiting for my hearing to return. It almost seems disrespectful of LB’s talent and passion to bring on dancing girls and fling coupons from the sky every few minutes. I was surprised how much the atmosphere felt like a commercial for every product I never wanted to purchase. I had a great time in spite of all that. Total strangers high fiving during the last few minutes was amazing.
May.13 at 12:20 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I’m never sure whether I’m watching a Celtics playoff game or “Platoon”.
May.13 at 12:29 pm
TADOne says:
How about the teams just let the actual GAME market itself? Brilliant!
May.13 at 12:29 pm
Diesel says:
Between Lebron’s blazers and the smoke in the arena, a Celtics game would put any civil war reanactment to shame.
May.13 at 1:04 pm
Co Co says:
They can do away with the fire and smoke, but a lot of that other stuff that’s annoying isnt going anywhere because its being brought to you by sponsors. There’s too much money involved and the owners are not likely to give that up.
May.13 at 1:09 pm
Captain America says:
Nanny Stern has finally hit on something of substance. Maybe they can do a fan giveaway of gas masks?
May.13 at 1:19 pm
WhaHuh says:
Diesel what about the death of “superstars” reputations?
May.13 at 1:26 pm
albie1kenobi says:
i bet it was because Big Ben was threatening to strangle him when Stern made that announcement.
May.13 at 1:26 pm
k.o. says:
i guess it would be repetitive, loud and annoying…to the writers with the best seats in the house for half the games of the year! I would agree that the pyrotechnics should go, especially if they’re making a mess of the court - but all that added in game stuff is to appeal to the few hundred people who are witnessing their first nba game so they’ll be encouraged to have that all around ‘experience’ again
May.13 at 1:51 pm
riggs says:
Saving Private Rondo
May.13 at 2:09 pm
ciolkstar says:
Can everyone on this board make sure to never watch an episode of The Closer. Ever. The promo commercial is literally nothing but quick frame reaction shots of characters. Angry. Surprised. Tough. Scared. Drama. Its literally the worst thing I ever seen. I hope that Show goes up in flames.
May.13 at 2:47 pm
Diesel says:
In my Civil War Reference the East can represent the South and refuse to believe they lost the Finals. They keep doing finals reanactments where the Cavs sweep the Spurs
May.13 at 2:49 pm
Diesel says:
TNT stopped bothering with cutting to commercials now, they just trot Keira Sedgwick out in the lower left corner during the games. Who is making this show the #1 rated cable show of all time??? ‘She’s a woman making it in a man’s world.’
May.13 at 2:54 pm
FLUXLAND says:
Is it normal Russ and Stern share the same view on the “entertainment” factor?
May.13 at 4:56 pm
balogna sammich says:
A basketball game isn’t supposed to be a catholic church service, Mr.Stern.
May.13 at 5:10 pm
what says:
Loud rap is fine. Fireworks are not.
May.13 at 5:17 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I’ve never hidden my feelings on the “entertainment” that accompanies modern NBA games. It all just sends the message that the game isn’t any more meaningful than a t-shirt toss (nothing better than one of those happening with two minutes left in a tight game—and it happens all too often) or a “dress and dribble” race between two four-year-old kids. But I guess they’ve gotta justify those ticket prices and pay all those salaries.
May.13 at 6:41 pm
Steve says:
I actually remember a couple years ago, Kenny Smith made a similar comment through one of his back page articles in SLAM. I have to say I agreed with him then and I agree with D.Stern today (god it hurts to say things like that). The fake athmosphere at NBA games nowaday is just corny and the crowd should be able to generate enough excitement because of the game. Not because T Payne was singing the national anthem.
May.13 at 8:18 pm
Bubba Chuck says:
F*ck David Stern
May.13 at 8:44 pm
Ben Osborne says:
I like that Stern said this (save for the unnecessary dig at “rap”), but Russ’ funny comment notwithstanding I kind of like the smoky vibe at the Celtic games.
May.13 at 8:52 pm
d.Y. says:
Why do people who run sporting events (and concerts) think that some pyro and smoke is going to increase profits? Has pyro ever, EVER in history made a show you’ve seen (or heard of) better or more memorable?
May.13 at 9:35 pm
Dacre says:
…hmmm it made the start of the Sydney 2000 olympics pretty awesome. and new years eve without them is kind of weird…how would you know when to “mack out” otherwise?
May.13 at 9:43 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I liked when Boston Garden used to get smoky because of Red Auerbach. Not that I was around then.
May.14 at 4:57 pm
The Promise says:
Whats the big friggin deal?
May.14 at 8:42 pm
youngmuggsy says:
this only bothers people over 30.
May.14 at 9:27 pm
Dacre says:
lol. blatent lie.