NBA commissioner David Stern is probably the best leader in pro sports. Yet, he presides over a league that doesn’t appreciate him. He is given the daunting task of catering to a group of young, rich and predominately black athletes while trying to market a league to an older white audience.
The NBA no longer enjoys the success it had in the 80s and 90s and as a result Stern has seen his product deteriorate since the start of the new millennium. NBA players used to be the best in the world. Now they have become an international laughingstock and can’t even beat a team like Greece.
Like any good leader, Stern realized that changes needed to be made. He started with a simple one last year, the dress code, and predictably the players didn’t want to be told how to dress. Imagine that? An employee who is handsomely paid to play a child’s game refusing to dress like a professional.
Here is what players don’t realize: Stern is on their side! He is like a parent and the players are like ungrateful children. Like any good parent, Stern is trying to do what’s best for the league rather than trying to buddy-up to the players. What players don’t fully grasp is that Stern’s main objective is to sell the NBA, which will then make them even richer! Players are fools for thinking that Stern is out of touch with their hip-hop lifestyles. They should be kissing the ground he walks on because he has built a league that allows them to prosper and become famous.
As any good leader, Stern is constantly looking to improve his product. Let’s look at the two big changes he made this past off-season.
I love the no complaining rule! This change was a no-brainer. No one wants to see the players constantly bitching about a foul call -- they were coming across as spoiled brats. Though, I’m not sure why this rule change has caused such uproar among players. I even read that the union considered suing the league over the increased technical fouls -- which is absolutely ridiculous. But if the players have a problem with the no complaining rule, they should look at MLB and see what happens when a player vehemently argues with an umpire. He doesn’t get a slap on the wrist; he gets thrown out of the game! Ultimately, players need to act like professionals and keep their heads in the game. If a call doesn’t go their way, they need to just deal with it and play better. It’s just that simple.
Lastly, the new ball is a modern marvel and it was created to help the horrendous shooting percentages around the league. Has anyone seen the way the new ball bounces off the rim? The other night I watched Vince Carter sink a 3 from about 26 feet away. The ball hit the back of the rim, acted as if it had just been shot, and fell through the hoop to force overtime against the Washington Wizards. Now, I don’t have any proof, but the old ball would not have gone in in a million years.
NBA players need to lighten up so one day they can see the bigger picture. Stern is a genius and he is constantly trying to improve the game and make his players look better.
