David Stern, former NBA commissioner, dead at 77

[CatWoman]

Former NBA commissioner David Stern died Wednesday afternoon, the league announced. He was 77 and had been in serious condition following surgery for a brain hemorrhage on Dec. 12.

Stern’s wife, Dianne, and their family were with him at his bedside, the league said in a statement.

“For 22 years, I had a courtside seat to watch David in action,” current NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "He was a mentor and one of my dearest friends.

“We spent countless hours in the office, at arenas and on planes wherever the game would take us. Like every NBA legend, David had extraordinary talents, but with him it was always about the fundamentals — preparation, attention to detail, and hard work.”

Stern was NBA commissioner from 1984 to 2014, a powerful and controversial 30-year tenure that grew the NBA into one of the most powerful sports leagues in the world.

“David took over the NBA in 1984 with the league at a crossroads,” Silver continued. “But over the course of 30 years as Commissioner, he ushered in the modern global NBA.”

Stern was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014, and was by far the longest-tenured NBA commissioner. Under his leadership, NBA teams exploded in value and popularity, and the league became a global power.


https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/ny-david-stern-nba-commissioner-death-20200101-7blikkskkvedbpttfe5xaxmahy-story.html?fbclid=IwAR0YNPvY44m_yDdVPqhZZW1OfXP4bkiQAc8kCsrr-l8tH5i13fAJbpptAM0

[Drunken Irishman]

1. Damn. Stern revolutionized the NBA.

He oversaw the league grow from likely the fourth most important professional league, behind the NFL, MLB and the NH, to the second - only behind the NFL.

He was also a strong Dem.

RIP

[brush]

2. RIP, David Stern. Thanks for what you did for the NBA.

[BeyondGeography]

3. He was a very substantial person

He also had a great sense of humor. Whenever he announced the 1st round picks at the draft he’d get booed, which he loved. One time he said, for our international audience, booing is a sign of respect in America, eliciting of course louder boos.

RIP Commissioner Stern.

[DinahMoeHum]

4. I'm sure that no tears will be shed in Seattle.

Last edited Wed Jan 1, 2020, 10:27 PM - Edit history (1)

People there haven't forgotten or forgiven how he looked the other way as their NBA franchise SuperSonics was stolen from them and owner Howard Schultz (Starbucks) by Clay Bennett of Oklahoma City. And how they were fucking lied to as it happened.

[jrandom421]

5. You can say that again!

I hope the Oklahoma City Thunder NEVER wins a championship, that Clay Bennett goes broke trying to buy one, that he has to sell the team due to his bankruptcy, and that a new Seattle Sonics rise up again to be perennial championship contenders and occasional champions!