Woj takes on David Stern

Say what you will about Wojnarowski, but he doesn't mince words. Interesting take on Stern's vice-like grip on the NBA.

"Big and small markets. Winning and losing franchises. Great and lousy general managers and coaches. Old and new owners. They all agree: Don’t push Stern too hard because there will be a price to pay. Better off bowing, kissing the ring and shuffling past him."

Harsh, looking forward to see what kind of reactions this might elicit.

about 1 year ago joelor 15 comments 3 recs |

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So I was wondering the other night

Who decides that stern is the commissioner. Is it a owners vote? Just curious cause it doesn’t seem like he answers to anyone

No one in the world can beat me at RBI baseball 3(nes).

by svlittle on Mar 16, 2011 1:07 PM PDT reply actions

Did you know there have only been 4 NBA commissioners since the position was created in 1946?

It’s surprisingly (or is it..?) hard to find info about this. From what I can tell, the commissioner is appointed by the previous commissioner and then approved by the presidents of the teams.

I tried to do some quick research about how the lifespan of a commish usually goes, but with limited results. It doesn’t appear that a commissioner has ever been “fired,” and I can find no indication of how that might actually happen.

by joelor on Mar 16, 2011 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions

The oversight of officiating needs to be stripped from the Commissioner

It is too much of a threat to leave in his hands.

Now all we need is the rest of the roster to get into "how can everybody help Nicco and Oden" mode. -- Oden Mad, Oden Smash! Sep 29, 2010 7:47 PM

by LaoTzu on Mar 16, 2011 1:45 PM PDT reply actions

I agree.

Always thought that was messed up.

by beeroy on Mar 16, 2011 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Who's going to do that?

Certainly not the media or a fan boycott

If Mark Cuban isn’t powerful enough to bring down the cabal, then there’s really no conspiracy—it’s a consensus. The league has a formula and it’s worked extremely well (read: made the networks, the players and the owners a lot of money) while Stern has been in charge. If your organizational goal is to win a championship it pays to be located in L*A or on the east coast. San Antonio is the exception, so that’s a franchise and front office worth emulating

but I think Paul would rather just hire ex-Sonics

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Mar 16, 2011 7:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Well it's not working very well right now

Considering the league is losing money and the NBA is experiencing next to no growth in comparison to NFL and MLB. Stern did great things to help save the NBA; unfortunately he’s become a victim of his own game and his formula has turned the league into something quite crappy, honestly. I think most people realize that the NBA is a second-tier league compared to other major leagues in the world.

by Seven06Renault on Mar 17, 2011 6:01 AM PDT up reply actions

they're doing great, compared to 1978

and with the economy the way it is, the NBA is on as good of a financial footing as any business it’s size

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Mar 17, 2011 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions

Meh

He’s just a lightening rod for the owners.

"You're standing in my sunlight, please move." —Diogenes to Alexander the Great

by pixelpusher on Mar 16, 2011 6:32 PM PDT reply actions

Stern stole the Sonics

by Sonic Boom on Mar 16, 2011 10:36 PM PDT reply actions

That's why my friend calls OKC the Plunder.

Who's that tromping across my bedge!

by Troll Blazer on Mar 17, 2011 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions

Its about time

a sports columnist with as big an audience as Wojnarowski has says something about Stern’s inflexibility and childish behavior.

For years it has been frustrating to watch how teams get abused by poor officiating in important games then get slapped with fines for complaining about what is painfully obvious to even a casual fan, as if fining someone tens of thousands of dollars disproves their argument.

Wouldn’t it be nice if these articles become more prevalent and something actually happens to reform the way the NBA handles controversy and oversight? I don’t think it will happen without people in the media pointing to the issues and allowing the public to give voice to their frustration in forums, in response to published observations like these.

"She turned me into a newt!
A newt?
...I got better."

by Seijeff on Mar 16, 2011 11:35 PM PDT reply actions

It's all a sham

Thought we all knew it already.

by loyal_blazer on Mar 17, 2011 8:40 AM PDT reply actions

Game 6, SacTown v Lakers, anybody?

And what the dunk “contest” has become?

At least with pro wrestling it’s more or less out in the open.

Now all we need is the rest of the roster to get into "how can everybody help Nicco and Oden" mode. -- Oden Mad, Oden Smash! Sep 29, 2010 7:47 PM

by LaoTzu on Mar 17, 2011 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

How about ANY SERIES the Lakers are involved in.

The only series where I saw another team have the advantage over them with the officials like they usually get, is when they played the Thunder last year.

Phil Jackson was traded heated words with Stern through the Media BTW. Go figure.

by loyal_blazer on Mar 18, 2011 12:25 AM PDT up reply actions