After what can only be described as a memorable 30-year tenure as the NBA's commissioner, David Stern recently shared his thoughts on how he thinks the league has evolved since he stepped down from his post some five years ago.
Stern says that he is more than happy with what the NBA and its players have become today, and that he has no regrets from the past three decades.
“I have no regrets. I know that sounds crazy,” Stern told Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated. “Other than the regrets of lockouts, I would love to have had clear sailing and unanimous agreement on collective bargaining, but I didn’t, and that’s a failure, I would say. I am so happy because when I took over the NBA, our players’ reputations were, I would say, in the basement of the pyramid of celebrity. And now they’re at the tippy-tip of the celebrity pyramid. They’re the most listened to, the most beloved, in some ways, and the most important athletes in all of sports.”
Stern does make a valid point here, and this is indeed testament to all the hard work he put in during his tenure as the league's commissioner. He then went on to explain exactly why he thinks the league has become so great.
“It couldn’t be in better shape,” David Stern added. “The summer league is electrifying. The free-agent movement gives the NBA ownership of a huge chunk of calendar real estate. I like the international endeavors, with the academies and the announcement of the Basketball Africa League. Adam Silver is doing a great job of growing the sport on a global basis.”
Current commissioner Adam Silver definitely has some big shoes to fill, but in all fairness to him, he has done quite a commendable job thus far.
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