RIP David Stern

[Jiri Welsch]

My condolences to his loved ones; they are missing David Stern the person, first and foremost.

As for basketball, while I can't (and don't) dismiss what he did for the NBA worldwide, I also don't miss having him as commissioner. I have always believed that Bird and Magic were the ones who truly catapulted the NBA's popularity—Stern made some smart business moves, but he wouldn't have had much to work with without those two.

I also think the way he shafted Boston after Reggie died was uncalled for, and his nurturing of biased officiating (see Jordan's career and the Lakers-Kings playoff series as big examples) was absurd. Thankfully, I can like and follow the Celtics regardless of who's commissioner.

If the league botches this "tournament play" idea that they're trying to implement, we might be begging to have Stern back!

RIP David Stern. Sad to see a good dude go.

[boscel33]

He'll get no RIP from me after denying us cap relief for Reggie.

RIP David.

There, I said it, now why I'll always despise him!  During the 80's, the Cleveland Cav's owner tried to assemble a playoff team by trading away his first round picks for five years in a row.  They were thus awarded the 8th overall pick in the 86 draft.  When Len Bias passed and then later Reggie, there was a push for a similar compensation to the C's and they didn't receive any, plus, Lewis's salary remained on the Celtics Cap for the rest of the two years after.

He did a lot to help mold the game to what it is now, but he screwed the Celtics as well.

[Androslav]

RIP.
Visionary commissioner.

[GreenShooter]

He'll get no RIP from me after denying us cap relief for Reggie.

It's one of many things Stern denied the C's. He really hated Red, which takes away from some of his integrity.

[CelticsElite]

A good article explaining that stern was petty and vindicate in his fight against  Seattle getting a team

https://news.google.com/articles/CBMiYmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnNlYXR0bGV0aW1lcy5jb20vc3BvcnRzL25iYS9kYXZpZC1zdGVybnMtbGVnYWN5LWluLXNlYXR0bGUtaXMtc2ltcGxlLXRoZXJlcy1uby1zb25pY3Mv0gFoaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2VhdHRsZXRpbWVzLmNvbS9zcG9ydHMvbmJhL2RhdmlkLXN0ZXJucy1sZWdhY3ktaW4tc2VhdHRsZS1pcy1zaW1wbGUtdGhlcmVzLW5vLXNvbmljcy8_YW1wPTE?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen

[Spilling Green Dye]

Agreed that RIP for his friends and family, it's tough losing anyone.

As far as commissioner, I agree with many of the sentiments here, including that he largely succeeded because of his timing into the league with Bird & Magic. 

His stubbornness and ego were on display many times to the detriment of numerous teams, but they did help in addressing the rookie salary issue from the 90's / early 2000's, and the much needed dress policy to promote a more sell-able brand

[gift]

I didn't always agree with him, but I always kind of liked him and respected his abilities and accomplishments.

[Emmette Bryant]

not a big fan but I'm gonna show him some respect

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ozSwXO6UG0

[Ogaju]

May his Soul Rest in Peace, Amen.