[Mr. ChicagoParticipant]

I am not sure if any of you read Jason Whitlock or not from ESPN, however he came out with a great article about David Stern. Every other article on ESPN is basically a huge congratulatory article about everything Stern did, how great he was etc. However, this article takes a different look; at missed opportunities, failure to grow the game, his bullying nature, etc.

I thought it was an interesting read. http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10377689/whitlock-david-stern-was-bully-got-lucky

I really liked the portion where it states, "Stern focused too much of the league’s relevance on individual superstars at the expense of promoting teams, rivalries and championships. He has never understood the importance of the health of college basketball. College football fuels the popularity of pro football. It’s just the opposite in basketball. College and NBA fans hate each other."

I also agree when Whitlock discusses Basketball being "America’s Game," because at some point most American’s have played the sport. It is inexpensive to play, and the open accessiblity of the game. What are you thoughts on Stern’s reign as commisioner?

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Stern was lucky to be lucky, but he was also pretty good.  He maximized Magic, Bird, MJ, Shaq, Kobe, LeBron, and those guys.  He got dealt a pretty good hand. 

I think he did a good job marketing the game to American fans and also international fans.  He took the ball and ran with it.

The NBA is a superstar’s league.  Jordan, Magic, Larry, LeBron, Kareem, and those guys make the league worth watching (the few diehards will watch anyway).  Stern’s NBA really marketed the top guys which was great for business.

The NBA is closer to the WWF/WWE than other pro sports leagues.  You have the larger than life guys at the top like Jordan, LeBron, and Shaq.  Some of them are good guys (faces) and others are bad guys (heels.  Tim Duncan?).  Then you have fun to watch, midcard teams that give everyone a good show but bow out before the title fight (NBA Finals).  The Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns had some really entertaining mid-card teams.  The Warriors are currently a fan favorite mid-card team that probably won’t win much — similar to the Kemp/Payton Sonics.

I think he left at the right time — last year’s NBA Finals was AWESOME with two semi-dynasties going at it.  LeBron vs. Duncan 2.0 was a trillion times better than the first matchup.  Then you had dunks, blocked shots, and about a million three pointers.  A great series for purists and casual fans.  … LeBron is at his peak, Durant is at his prime, and the top of the league as far as players and teams go looks good.

New issues for Silver are: is there going to be another LeBron?  Can Kevin Durant take over the NBA Brand?  Heck of a player, but maybe not as captivating as Jordan or maybe even LeBron.  Does KD have the outsized personality?

If I were the NBA I would try to get a Thunder-Heat NBA Finals.  With Durant and the Thunder winning it all.  Give the title to the new guy.  Let LeBron pass the torch.  Very similar to how the Ultimate Warrior beat Hulk Hogan in WrestleMania 6 in 1990.

… then you have the setup of a potential Thunder Dynasty.  You have a possible LeBron Decision 2.0 (I would play this up), then an intriguing NBA Draft.  The new pecking order will be Durant as the probable reigning MVP and scoring champ (next MJ?), LeBron as the best all-around veteran, with some aging superstars as mid-card brands like Kobe and Tim Duncan.  The Pacers and Grizzlies are some good mid-card teams that could threaten both conferences again.

2014 should be about a Thunder vs. Heat Finals with Kevin Durant getting his first ring.  That’s the biggie.  I also think that the new guy needs a good All-Star Game.  Look for a possible shoot out. 

I would market the 2014 Draft rookies as good, all-around players with great work ethics.  I wouldn’t push them too much because I don’t see a Jordan, Shaq, or LeBron out of this group.  I would focus more on pushing up and comers like Blake Griffin and Steph Curry. 

After this season I would hope LeBron makes a good decision.  The best for the LEAGUE might be him going back to Cleveland.  Then there is the question of can he go back home and win a title?  For the 2015 title I would go with an undercard team (to see if the fans will put a team like the Grizzlies, or Pacers, or Warriors over) vs. a traditional power, maybe the Spurs or Thunder.  I would see if more marginal matchups got good ratings too. 

For the 2016 Finals, I would get LeBron back to the Finals for a possible third ring (after losing in 2014 and making a deep run in 2015).  Out West, I would go with whatever team is the hottest.  The Cavs with LeBron would give you both a small market team along with one of the GOAT’s (LeBron) plus a rising star in Kyrie Irving) to headline the NBA Finals.  I would try to give a younger, popular team a pretty big push for the future.  LeBron and the Cavs win, but the league puts a newer power over with a great angle.

In 2017 I would put the Cavs against the Thunder with the Thunder in a LeBron James’ retirement match/Finals.  This series must go seven games with game 7 in doubt until the last minute.  Let the players play and leave it all on the court.  If LeBron wins he goes out on top.  If Durant wins he is on track to be one of the GREATS. 

… I haven’t read Whitlock’s article, but one thing I might do is get NBA stars to go the Final Four, or maybe even have an NBA convention during the Final Four.  You could even have an NBA Classic game at the Final Four location on the off day.  Maybe do Lakers vs. Celtics every year.  Or, the previous year’s Finals teams. 

I think the NBA needs some superstars out of this draft class.  Embiid, Wiggins, Parker, Smart, Randle, and Gordon, could possibly be superstars but I wouldn’t bet a ton of money on it.

I think the 2015 ASG would really be helped if Wiggins and Gordon entered the dunk contest.  I would also see Paul George do it (rising superstar) and hopefully even Blake Griffin.  It might also be Kobe’s last ASG so I would work with that. 

I don’t think the NBA can manufacture superstars (if they ever could) so they have to see who rises to the top and kind of give them an extra push.  Fans are too sophisticated for that.  They know who is good and who is not.  I would push the team concept — I think the salary cap helps.  The NBA can’t just have the same handful of teams/players in the Finals every year, but it can’t have totally random matchups either.  Every team in the playoffs needs to think they have a chance to win the title (like in the MLB, NHL, and even the NFL), but the best superstars in the game also need to think that they will end their career with at least a couple of titles. 

[Hacker90Participant]

"In 2017 I would put the Cavs against the Thunder with the Thunder in a LeBron James’ retirement match/Finals. This series must go seven games with game 7 in doubt until the last minute. Let the players play and leave it all on the court. If LeBron wins he goes out on top."

..really? You think Lebrons going to retire in 3 years? He just turned 29 in December, I can see him easily playing another 10 years or so.

 

  

[Hacker90Participant]

"In 2017 I would put the Cavs against the Thunder with the Thunder in a LeBron James’ retirement match/Finals. This series must go seven games with game 7 in doubt until the last minute. Let the players play and leave it all on the court. If LeBron wins he goes out on top."

..really? You think Lebrons going to retire in 3 years? He just turned 29 in December, I can see him easily playing another 10 years or so.

 

  

[frogmanParticipant]

 Okay basketball is not pro wrestling.  That was the weirdest commment Ive ever read.  I seriously believe you think all these results are premeditated.

[frogmanParticipant]

 Okay basketball is not pro wrestling.  That was the weirdest commment Ive ever read.  I seriously believe you think all these results are premeditated.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Stern was lucky to be lucky, but he was also pretty good.  He maximized Magic, Bird, MJ, Shaq, Kobe, LeBron, and those guys.  He got dealt a pretty good hand. 

I think he did a good job marketing the game to American fans and also international fans.  He took the ball and ran with it.

The NBA is a superstar’s league.  Jordan, Magic, Larry, LeBron, Kareem, and those guys make the league worth watching (the few diehards will watch anyway).  Stern’s NBA really marketed the top guys which was great for business.

The NBA is closer to the WWF/WWE than other pro sports leagues.  You have the larger than life guys at the top like Jordan, LeBron, and Shaq.  Some of them are good guys (faces) and others are bad guys (heels.  Tim Duncan?).  Then you have fun to watch, midcard teams that give everyone a good show but bow out before the title fight (NBA Finals).  The Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns had some really entertaining mid-card teams.  The Warriors are currently a fan favorite mid-card team that probably won’t win much — similar to the Kemp/Payton Sonics.

I think he left at the right time — last year’s NBA Finals was AWESOME with two semi-dynasties going at it.  LeBron vs. Duncan 2.0 was a trillion times better than the first matchup.  Then you had dunks, blocked shots, and about a million three pointers.  A great series for purists and casual fans.  … LeBron is at his peak, Durant is at his prime, and the top of the league as far as players and teams go looks good.

New issues for Silver are: is there going to be another LeBron?  Can Kevin Durant take over the NBA Brand?  Heck of a player, but maybe not as captivating as Jordan or maybe even LeBron.  Does KD have the outsized personality?

If I were the NBA I would try to get a Thunder-Heat NBA Finals.  With Durant and the Thunder winning it all.  Give the title to the new guy.  Let LeBron pass the torch.  Very similar to how the Ultimate Warrior beat Hulk Hogan in WrestleMania 6 in 1990.

… then you have the setup of a potential Thunder Dynasty.  You have a possible LeBron Decision 2.0 (I would play this up), then an intriguing NBA Draft.  The new pecking order will be Durant as the probable reigning MVP and scoring champ (next MJ?), LeBron as the best all-around veteran, with some aging superstars as mid-card brands like Kobe and Tim Duncan.  The Pacers and Grizzlies are some good mid-card teams that could threaten both conferences again.

2014 should be about a Thunder vs. Heat Finals with Kevin Durant getting his first ring.  That’s the biggie.  I also think that the new guy needs a good All-Star Game.  Look for a possible shoot out. 

I would market the 2014 Draft rookies as good, all-around players with great work ethics.  I wouldn’t push them too much because I don’t see a Jordan, Shaq, or LeBron out of this group.  I would focus more on pushing up and comers like Blake Griffin and Steph Curry. 

After this season I would hope LeBron makes a good decision.  The best for the LEAGUE might be him going back to Cleveland.  Then there is the question of can he go back home and win a title?  For the 2015 title I would go with an undercard team (to see if the fans will put a team like the Grizzlies, or Pacers, or Warriors over) vs. a traditional power, maybe the Spurs or Thunder.  I would see if more marginal matchups got good ratings too. 

For the 2016 Finals, I would get LeBron back to the Finals for a possible third ring (after losing in 2014 and making a deep run in 2015).  Out West, I would go with whatever team is the hottest.  The Cavs with LeBron would give you both a small market team along with one of the GOAT’s (LeBron) plus a rising star in Kyrie Irving) to headline the NBA Finals.  I would try to give a younger, popular team a pretty big push for the future.  LeBron and the Cavs win, but the league puts a newer power over with a great angle.

In 2017 I would put the Cavs against the Thunder with the Thunder in a LeBron James’ retirement match/Finals.  This series must go seven games with game 7 in doubt until the last minute.  Let the players play and leave it all on the court.  If LeBron wins he goes out on top.  If Durant wins he is on track to be one of the GREATS. 

… I haven’t read Whitlock’s article, but one thing I might do is get NBA stars to go the Final Four, or maybe even have an NBA convention during the Final Four.  You could even have an NBA Classic game at the Final Four location on the off day.  Maybe do Lakers vs. Celtics every year.  Or, the previous year’s Finals teams. 

I think the NBA needs some superstars out of this draft class.  Embiid, Wiggins, Parker, Smart, Randle, and Gordon, could possibly be superstars but I wouldn’t bet a ton of money on it.

I think the 2015 ASG would really be helped if Wiggins and Gordon entered the dunk contest.  I would also see Paul George do it (rising superstar) and hopefully even Blake Griffin.  It might also be Kobe’s last ASG so I would work with that. 

I don’t think the NBA can manufacture superstars (if they ever could) so they have to see who rises to the top and kind of give them an extra push.  Fans are too sophisticated for that.  They know who is good and who is not.  I would push the team concept — I think the salary cap helps.  The NBA can’t just have the same handful of teams/players in the Finals every year, but it can’t have totally random matchups either.  Every team in the playoffs needs to think they have a chance to win the title (like in the MLB, NHL, and even the NFL), but the best superstars in the game also need to think that they will end their career with at least a couple of titles. 

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