David Stern

David Stern
David Joel Stern is the former commissioner of the National Basketball Association. He started with the Association in 1966 as an outside counsel, joined the NBA in 1978 as General Counsel, and became the league's Executive Vice President in 1980. He became Commissioner in 1984, succeeding Larry O'Brien. He is credited with increasing the popularity of the NBA in the 1990s and 2000s...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionBusiness Executive
Date of Birth22 September 1942
CityNew York City, NY
CountryUnited States of America
We think that our players are the most talented athletes in the world and people come to watch them play, not to fight, bump and knock each other down.
NBA teams have embraced the NBA Development League as a place to give their young roster players the opportunity to improve and as a source for game tested talent in case of injury. As a result, more investors are seeking to bring the D-League to their communities.
(The playoffs are) a road you have to follow if you want to be considered among the great ones, because it demonstrates that you're either making the players around you better or management is putting better players around you in order to showcase your talent longer into the playoffs.
We're not going to be crazy. We just want our players to dress up,
I regret the 1998 - 99 lockout. I regret that we didn't work harder to educate our players and our owners about what the damage would be. I never can quite come up with the answer on what else we should have done, but I always blame a part of the problem on us and some part on the players.
The remarkable celebrity that NBA players hold empowers them to effect change.
Our attendance record is further evidence of the extraordinary connection that exists between players and fans. We are thankful for our fans continued support and passion for the game.
In the good old days, Chamberlain and Russell played in anonymity compared to Bird, Magic, Michael and Isiah. And even those guys played in less of a spotlight that our players today are playing in thanks to this saturated media environment.
I've taken the tour, sampled the fare, looked at the extraordinary video board ? this is one exciting building. You cannot miss the video board, it is simply the best in the league.
I've said it from Day 1 that Oklahoma City is a temporary, interim stop.
Is the question do I think the officials miss a play? Absolutely!
Is (pro bono work) considered in the associate's evaluation? Will it be considered in their favor? Unfortunately it is not the case. ... Most firms do not prize pro bono as a criterion for partnership. You can count them on one hand.
epitomized hard work, dedication and perseverance, and more importantly compassion, kindness and selflessness.
Right now, we're operating on the assumption that the team is returning in 2007-2008. I think that that will pretty much reveal itself by this time next year -- the All-Star Game in Las Vegas.