NBA Commissioner David Stern will step down after 30 years at the helm. During his tenure, Stern has established himself as one of the greatest commissioners of all time. When he first took over 30 years ago, the NBA was still on tape delay and not anywhere near as popular as it is today. Now, the NBA is a multi-billion dollar industry and the league goes well beyond the borders of the United States.
While most Laker fans will remember Stern as the person who vetoed the trade that would have brought Chris Paul to the Lakers, General Manager Mitch Kupchak will remember Stern as someone who brought a lot of good to this organization and the city of Los Angeles, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles:
“He’s done so much more good for this organization and in this city than people could ever measure, in the long run,” Kupchak told ESPNLosAngeles.com. “Anything that’s taken place that can be conceived or be construed as not good will be in the rearview mirror and something good is going to happen down the road. And that’s how Dr. [Jerry] Buss looked at it.”
Stern has filled the pockets of plenty of owners, but his contributions to the league as a whole, have benefited everyone. The Lakers are really struggling right now, which is why it is difficult to forgive Stern, especially when the Clippers have become a serious contender in the West. However, Kupchak is adamant that the Paul deal is in the past and he did much more for the Lakers organization during his 30-year tenure.
During Stern’s career, he handed the Larry O’Brien trophy to the Lakers eight times. No other team won more championships during his tenure. As of February 1st, Stern will step down and Adam Silver will be the new NBA commissioner.
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