A League of His Own

I'll admit it: in the past, I've been critical of NBA Commissioner David Stern. I was wrong. David Stern has done a lot of great things for the NBA. He's implemented a much-needed dress code and curbed outrageous rookie salaries. Does anyone remember when Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson came out of Purdue and was demanding $100 million in his first contract? Stern has a high schooler-free draft coming up later this summer and a developmental league to cushion the falls of players who, mistakenly, jump to the league too soon. During Stern's tenure (1984-present), the NBA has gone from a league dominated by domestic stars to one filled with international players, including 2-time MVP Nash (Canada), Yao (China), Dirk (Germany), Pau (Spain), and Manu (Argentina). Those guys are so big you recognize them just by one name. Add in Tony Parker, Boris Diaw, Andrew Bogut, Darko, Peja , AK47, Nocioni, Diop, Deng, etc., and you realize that the league is being enhanced by all the talent the world has to offer. At the same time, a new crop of U.S. stars (led by LBJ, Carmelo, Wade, Chris Bosh, Chris Paul, etc.) is taking the league by storm.

David Stern needs to continue to build the league that in the mid-90's was losing its grip on the American public to the NHL. I remember a Sports Illustrated cover with the headline NHL hot, NBA not ... or at least something to that effect. Since then, the NBA has reclaimed its place as #2 (behind the NFL) while the NHL has fallen so far that it has probably been passed by NASCAR. Donald Sterling, another DS, may have allowed Elgin Baylor and Mike Dunleavy to turn around the woeful Clippers franchise. However, there are still laughing-stocks nestled around the nation ... just look at the mecca of U.S. basketball, NYC! The Knicks are atrocious and tied down with the wrong coach, a bad GM, and the absurd pairing of Steve Francis and Stephon Marbury in the back court.* Along with a pair of shoot-first PG's, they have Jalen Rose and Jamal Crawford, a couple of ball-hogging SG's. They also have Jerome James and Eddy Curry clogging up the middle, and I mean that literally and figuratively. The Knicks gave way too much money (and what turned into the #2 draft pick in this year's draft) for a couple guys who played really well in their contract years but have struggled with staying motivated and staying in shape the rest of the time. What did management think would happen when they locked them up to multi-year, guaranteed-money, deals?

David Stern was wrong to make suggestions to Knicks management. The Knicks have had enough time to make changes. They've been saddled with bad contracts, and rather than bite the bullet and wait out their punishment, they've tried to dig their way out of the hole by trading one bad contract for another and adding more expensive pieces that don't fit anywhere in the puzzle that is winning in the NBA. It's time for David Stern to step in! David Stern doesn't need to be making suggestions, he needs to be making calls. He didn't suggest that Allen Iverson clean up his attire, he made a rule that forced AI to dress up, along with all of his peers. Stern should take a similar stance with the Knicks and the Hawks (who have quite the stable of wing players but not much else). The Hawks left Chris Paul on the board last year and took Marvin Williams. They let Boris Diaw go to the Suns in the Joe Johnson deal. Interesting moves ... I've seen enough of them, it's time for Stern to take charge.

In fact, there are a lot of teams that could use some help. The Seattle Sonics were a solid team in 2004-2005, but the losses of Vladimir Radmonovic, Jerome James and Coach Nate MacMillan resulted in the Sonics missing the playoffs this year. The Lakers traded Shaq, missed the playoffs in 04-05 and lost in the first round this year. The Kings fired Rick Adelman, the Warriors hired Mike Montgomery and haven't been able to make the playoffs, despite a starting five of Baron Davis, Jason Richardson, Mike Dunleavy, Troy Murphy and Adonal Foyle (a solid defensive center). The Minnesota Timberwolves blew up the bench (letting Flip Saunders go to Detroit) and roster around Kevin Garnett, the Jazz can't find guards to go with AK47, Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur (although they'd be better off if Kirilenko and Boozer can stay healthy), and the Nuggets gave Kenyon Martin a max deal! Where does Kenyon Martin fit on a team with Carmelo, Nene (Brazil) and Marcus Camby? The correct answer is on the bench, if Nene is healthy. However, despite the front court studs, they can't find a decent SG. The problem with the NBA is that some teams have too many guards, some not enough, some players (Tim Thomas with the Bulls) don't fit with their current team and would be better off playing for another team (like the Phoenix Suns). Basketball isn't necessarily about having the best talent, it's about having pieces that fit together. Sure, you need good players, but Starbury, Stevie Franchise, Jamal Crawford, Jalen Rose, and Eddy Curry are all talented. How'd the Knicks do?

Stern can't just improve the Knicks and Hawks without a little cooperation from other teams. So, in the best interest of the league, Stern should be given full reign ... the NBA is his playground. Owners would be relieved of their duties and given shares in the new NBA Corporation based on the estimated worth of their teams. Teams like the Phoenix Suns, who have been constructed well — with players who have complimentary skill sets and a coach who's system takes advantage of their abilities — will probably remain unchanged. Stern would give Kevin Garnett the chance to be a star in a major market, such as New York City, or on a championship contender, possibly being paired with King James in Cleveland. Kobe won't be burdened with another star and Lamar Odom will be moved elsewhere so he can actually touch the ball every once in a while. By systematically putting teams together that make sense (like the Detroit Pistons), the overall product will improve. Erick Dampier won't be on the Mavericks because Dallas doesn't want an offensive weapon in the post. Diop will man the middle for the Mavericks and provide defense and rebounding.

LeBron James wouldn't have a post-up center (Zydrunas Ilgauskas) clogging up the lane. He also wouldn't have Larry Hughes as a running mate. Hughes is a good player, but he doesn't shoot the three well (28% on the season) and is best with the ball in his hands. LBJ should have teammates who can hit open perimeter shots, defend, and run the floor. In David Stern's NBA, the Cavs starting five would be Raja Bell (49% from 3-pt range), LeBron, Tayshaun Prince (48% from 3-pt range), Kevin Garnett and LaMarcus Aldridge. James would be the primary ballhandler on a team filled with athletic players who can defend and shoot from the perimeter.

Additionally, Stern and his management team will be in charge of hiring, firing, contract negotiations, discipline, etc. To paraphrase the commish, if players don't like it, they can get out and do something else for a living. Players will be rewarded financially based on personal and team performance, as well as attendance, jersey sales, and other marketing-related endeavors. In the interest of good basketball and employee satisfaction, it's important that players and coaches are put in positions where they can succeed. That isn't happening, on a large-scale, currently. It's time for a change. It's time for David Stern's powers to be increased, for the betterment of the league financially and on the court.


*I just googled the NY Knicks and clicked on the link to the Knicks page on nba.com and a 2006-2007 NY Knicks tickets pop-up came up. Who were the Knicks featured? David Lee, Nate Robinson, and Channing Frye. The NY Knicks are marketing Lee, Robinson and Frye.