I mean just think about what this guy has done. Could he be the greatest commish ever? Commish over the golden era with Magic-Bird and later Jordan Globalization of the NBA with unprecedented growth in popularity abroad Building of 28 new arenas Regular bowel movements on Houston franchise Relocation of 5 NBA franchises 7 new NBA teams Ratification of the NBA Dress Code NBA Finals Trophy renamed to Larry O'Brien Trophy
I will be honest. Until this lockout I would have said Stern is the GREATEST COMMISH OF ANY SPORT. His marketing of the sport has been fantastic. Embracing Youtube, Facebook, the internet overall. Globalization of the game. All Star Weekend. Ridiculous boom in everything. Salaries, revenues. But I think it's time for him to go.
He stayed on a few years too long. Should have left 4-5 years ago and retired as the best commissioner ever in any sport. But his ego got too big and he became too much of a dictator.
You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain. Stern should have stepped down long ago.
His marketing? His marketing director and those people in the department do a good job. Stern does NOT deserve credit for any of that.