Earlier today former ESPN talk show host Jim Rome had
NBA Commissioner David Stern on his nationally syndicated radio show.
In the beginning of the interview, Rome proceeded to question Stern about
the 2012 NBA Draft Lottery.
The Hornets, who
had around a 10 % chance for winning the lottery (and were owned by the NBA),
were selected through the lottery system to have the number one overall pick in
the upcoming draft. During the lottery many NBA team executives
cried foul because the Hornets have been getting special treatment from Stern.
Many accused Stern of NBA nepotism when he refused a trade that
would've sent Chris Paul to the Lakers for a good amount of players and
prospects in return. Stern's reasoning for rejecting the move seemed to
rely on trying to make the league competitively balanced. That's why
less than a week later; Stern approved a trade that sent Paul to the LA
Clippers for less than what the Lakers offered for the superstar point guard.
Fans, Players, and
NBA executives have wondered for a while if the NBA has been playing a favored
type of ownership system. When journalist Jim Rome attempted to do his
job and asked Stern about this on his radio show today, Stern became very testy
and acted more like a crybaby than "respected" commissioner.
Stern repeatedly
insulted Rome, questioning his worth as a journalist and had the audacity
to ask Rome if he had "stopped
beating his wife" yet? When I heard the interview I simply
realized that David Stern has an arrogance that rivals the worst
of politicians. Based on his response, it is clear to me that Stern
simply feels that he is better than everybody else.
Here is a
"Newsflash" for David Stern: He does not have a job if not for
the loyalty of the fans buying tickets for every game this season.
And quite honestly, if someone talked to one of his referees like the way
he talked to Rome, then that player/coach would be fined $500,000. I
don't think Stern is going to fine himself $500,000 but I do think that he
needs to be punished for his actions. If players, coaches and executives
can be punished for opening their big mouths; (but referees are never punished
for their lack of skill or restraint) then so should this phony of
a Commissioner.
