WASHINGTON – No one is more responsible for making basketball a
global sport than David Stern.
Stern, the NBA commissioner from 1984-2014, died Wednesday in a New
York hospital after suffering a brain hemorrhage on December 12. He
was 77.
Inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014, Stern oversaw the
addition of seven franchises, the marketing of stars and exponential
growth in player salaries and team values through TV deals and
corporate partnerships. But the game's global popularity became a
reality through his vision.
"Because of David, the NBA is a truly global brand - making him not
only one of the greatest sports commissioners of all time but also
one of the most influential business leaders of his generation," NBA
commissioner Adam Silver said.
Stern was the driving force behind the Dream Team, which put NBA
stars Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan on the international stage of
the 1992 Olympics and became the foundation for a generation around
the world who grew up wanting to play in the NBA.
"He devoted his life to basketball, a sport that cannot be understood
without his contribution and revolutionary ideas," Euroleague
president and CEO Jordi Bertomeu said.
"He was a fundamental part of what we know as modern basketball,
bringing the NBA to a global audience and unprecedented popularity."
While Stern was commissioner, nine foreign-born players became the
top overall draft pick, including Yao Ming, who opened the gateway to
China. Four collected six MVP awards, including German juggernaut
Dirk Nowitzki.
Stern's global influence remains strong, as reigning MVP Giannis
Antetokounmpo hails from Greece and the defending champions reside in
Canada and are run by a Nigerian executive.
"He was transcendent," Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri said.
"He oversaw the expansion of our league to Canada. He knew there was
basketball talent around the world and he saw opportunity for players
and fans everywhere - he is a great, global giant in sports."
EARLY RETURNS: Internationals led the first returns of All-Star fan
balloting announced Thursday, with Antetokounmpo of Milwaukee leading
in the Eastern Conference and Slovenian sensation Luka Doncic of
Dallas atop the West.
Doncic leads all players with 1,073,957 votes, 599 more than
Antetokounmpo. Cameroon natives Joel Embiid of Philadelphia and
Pascal Siakam of Toronto are second and third, respectively, in East
frontcourt voting.
Boston 7-foot-5 rookie centre Tacko Fall from Senegal, who has played
11 minutes this season, is sixth among East froncourt players with
110,269 votes.
Fan voting continues through January 20 and comprises 50 per cent of
the vote, with the media and players splitting the other half. The
All-Star Game is February 16 in Chicago.