(Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
Few people have had as big an impact on the NBA as David Stern.
Stern acted as the league’s commissioner from 1984 to 2014 and saw some of the biggest changes and draft selections in its history.
Friday would have been Stern’s 81st birthday and fans of the league are celebrating.
Ballifslife posted a video of Stern and some choice moments from his career, along with quotes from NBA greats Charles Barkley, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James.
HBD DAVID STERN
Barkley: “He’s the greatest commissioner in sports history.”
Kobe: “He demanded the best of everyone because he gave it himself.”
LeBron: “His vision to make our game become worldwide was a vision only he could make happen.”pic.twitter.com/hDEisUqGfZ
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) September 22, 2023
Stern saw a lot of future NBA superstars enter the league.
He was at the podium during the draft when players such as Dirk Nowitzki, Blake Griffin, Yao Ming, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and others were called.
But he did so much more than simply greet these young men and level out punishments to unruly players.
Stern was at the center of the founding of the WNBA, the NBA G League, and the development league too.
Additionally, he helped the NBA create a name for itself in the digital space, making sure there was a strong basketball presence on the internet, which came to life during his career.
He also saw the league open multiple offices and reach 200 territories and 40 languages.
During his years in charge, the NBA grew in some huge ways that expanded its reach, attracted new fans, and also brought in international stars.
Sadly, Stern passed away in 2020 so he wasn’t able to see the NBA grow even more.
But today’s commissioner, Adam Silver, and many players in the league credit Stern for helping the Association grow and become the far-reaching, international giant that it is today.
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