Barbershopman
TMF Master
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2006
- Messages
- 831
- Points
- 18
David Stern died today. Thoughts and prayers to his family and the NBA community.
Stern presided over perhaps the greatest growth of the NBA. He oversaw the rise of the Celtics-Lakers rivalry, the legacy that was Michael Jordan's career, and the drafting and careers of Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.
Perhaps the greatest of Stern's lasting legacy to the NBA was the institution of the draft lottery. It was instituted to discourage teams from tanking and trying to secure the number one pick in the next draft.
I don't know if he rigged the first draft in 1985, but the New York Knicks securing the first pick in the draft to select Patrick Ewing has been debated to this day. There were 12 envelopes in the drum, some say the Knicks card was frozen prior to putting it in, some say the envelope was bent. Either way the Knicks got Ewing and the rest as they say is history.
Say what you will about Stern, the NBAs popularity exploded under his watch and has continued to this day.
Barbershopman
Stern presided over perhaps the greatest growth of the NBA. He oversaw the rise of the Celtics-Lakers rivalry, the legacy that was Michael Jordan's career, and the drafting and careers of Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.
Perhaps the greatest of Stern's lasting legacy to the NBA was the institution of the draft lottery. It was instituted to discourage teams from tanking and trying to secure the number one pick in the next draft.
I don't know if he rigged the first draft in 1985, but the New York Knicks securing the first pick in the draft to select Patrick Ewing has been debated to this day. There were 12 envelopes in the drum, some say the Knicks card was frozen prior to putting it in, some say the envelope was bent. Either way the Knicks got Ewing and the rest as they say is history.
Say what you will about Stern, the NBAs popularity exploded under his watch and has continued to this day.
Barbershopman