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David Stern is indeed dictatorial. His controlling behavior and corporate style is off-putting for any thinking person, but when it directly impacts NBA policy and the culture of professional basketball it represents potential destruction of value for both the image of the NBA and owners??? franchise value. How much thinly veiled corporatism will the owners allow before realizing that basketball and yes, even professional basketball, thrives off of emotion, personalities and a hint of creative freedom. Stern???s style and policies are negatively impacting the value of the game, the culture of the league.

It is fascinating to consider how the league office, dominated by Stern, decided to ban collared sweaters and turtlenecks from the coaching sidelines last year. Did the vision of Stan Van Gundy relaxed and unpretentious so offend Stern???s ideal corporate l image that he moved to have it removed from the sidelines and camera???s view? The technical foul over-reach, cramping the personalities of players, is another conservative corporate maneuver which could have only been conjured up by someone who has manifestly never played the game. Lastly, and sadly, is this constant silencing of opinions about the game ??? Phil Jackson, Doc Rivers and Van Gundy can???t have opinions on league policy?

Stern???s domineering style is anathema to much of what makes basketball and pro basketball the greatest game in the world ??? freedom of expression and authentic emotional engagement. Owners need to put a leash back on Stern. Better yet, mixing animal metaphors, time to change horses.

Pardon the three ??? above. My apostrophes tech-morphed when submitted.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 12:36 PM ET  03.11 by Jack K

David Stern is indeed dictatorial. His controlling behavior and corporate style is off-putting for any thinking person, but when it directly impacts NBA policy and the culture of professional basketball it represents potential destruction of value for both the image of the NBA and owners??? franchise value. How much thinly veiled corporatism will the owners allow before realizing that basketball and yes, even professional basketball, thrives off of emotion, personalities and a hint of creative freedom. Stern???s style and policies are negatively impacting the value of the game, the culture of the league. It is fascinating to consider how the league office, dominated by Stern, decided to ban collared sweaters and turtlenecks from the coaching sidelines last year. Did the vision of Stan Van Gundy relaxed and unpretentious so offend Stern???s ideal corporate l image that he moved to have it removed from the sidelines and camera???s view? The technical foul over-reach, cramping the personalities of players, is another conservative corporate maneuver which could have only been conjured up by someone who has manifestly never played the game. Lastly, and sadly, is this constant silencing of opinions about the game ??? Phil Jackson, Doc Rivers and Van Gundy can???t have opinions on league policy? Stern???s domineering style is anathema to much of what makes basketball and pro basketball the greatest game in the world ??? freedom of expression and authentic emotional engagement. Owners need to put a leash back on Stern. Better yet, mixing animal metaphors, time to change horses.

I'm also a big NASCAR fan..in that sport sensitivity to the sponsors have silenced many of great personalities like Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart...many sports are going with "NO PERSONALTY STYLE"...Thank you for your comments..

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 07:57 PM ET  03.11 by asifyouknow

I'm also a big NASCAR fan..in that sport sensitivity to the sponsors have silenced many of great personalities like Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart...many sports are going with "NO PERSONALTY STYLE"...Thank you for your comments..

Sorry ..is personality

You people amaze me.
He is the top guy in the NBA.
If any owner of a company hears that a floor manager is talking smack about him, do you think he will stoop to that little guy's cubicle to talk to him? he will talk to the CEO who will talk to the VP who will talk to the director who will tell the little manager to shut up.

This is how it works anywhere. David Stern could have SVG thrown out the league or given a high punishment to show his power. That's not what this is about. he was very political in what he said.

People trying to twist this are complaining for nothing.

QUOTE:

Originally posted by

The problem is not the refs or coaches. The problem is simply that there are too many blacks playing in the NBA. There should be a limit just like the democrats are trying to do elsewhere. Blacks are abou 20% of the US poplulation so lets limit the number of black players to 20% of the total.

You % is wrong. As well as your comment.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:20 AM ET  03.13 by hbomb

You % is wrong. As well as your comment.

Your^^

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 02:23 PM ET  03.13 by {+}SANTA-MARGE{+}

you racist !

forget about it...