LOS ANGELES – As the world headed into the year 2020 and the Los Angeles Lakers prepared to take on the Phoenix Suns, the NBA lost one of their own on Wednesday with former NBA commissioner David Stern passing away at the age of 77.

Stern's impact was felt not only in the league itself with its popularity hitting an all-time high when he was commissioner, but he also helped revolutionize the game by turning it into a global sport. Lakers superstar LeBron James talked about Stern and what he meant to the game at the Staples Center on Wednesday night.

“It was bittersweet. The bitter part of it is we lost a great visionary,” James said of Stern's passing. “I think him and Dr. James Naismith are two of the most important people for the game of basketball. Obviously, Dr. Naismith because he created the game. David – his vision, his vision to make this game global. I don't know how many people believed in that with him or thought it was something that couldn't be done, but he made this game global where is the game is watched in over 250 countries over the world.

“You just look at the collective group of players. You've got the Giannis's, the Dirk's, the Manu's and the Luka's now, and so on and so on. I think you have to give him so much credit because of that. He saw the game being so much greater than just in the States domestically.”

Stern faced a daunting task of turning things around for the NBA when he took over as commissioner back in 1984. Although the league had an influx of talent with Magic Johnson and Larry Bird leading the way and Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and Hakeem Olajuwon getting drafted that year in '84, the NBA still needed a lot of work to rebuild its image and expand its horizons.

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Stern was able to do both during his stint, which has carried over to today's game with Adam Silver at the helm for what has become one of the most popular leagues in the world.

The Lakers forward reflected on the day he was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers back in 2003 and being able to meet Stern on stage.

“For me personally, it was a dream come true to step up on that stage and shake David's hand, knowing where I come from, and gaining the relationship over the course of my career with him,” LeBron said. “That's great. My prayers and my condolences go to his family.”

It is no easy task to turn around a struggling professional sports league and leave it in a better place after retiring. Stern left his mark, and he gets the respect he deserves from the superstars of today for the incredible work he was able to do for the NBA and the game of basketball.