Is this the end of the David Stern Era?

[JDubJazz]

With disgraced referee Tim Donaghy's allegations of fixing going all the way to the top of the league, is this the end for David Stern?

I think, at this point, we all take anything David Stern has to say with a grain of salt. He comes across as increasingly defensive, but he never offers any other facts besides "Donaghy is a felon" to refute the allegations. At this point, even blind Laker homers (you know who you are ) can see that something is up (thanks to game 2).

I think this is the thing that finally get Stern out of the NBA commisioner's chair. I'm just waiting for Mark Cuban to go ballistic, and owners of teams like the Kings, Jazz and Pacers have got to be privately calling for his head.

[magicfan4life05]

One thing for sure whether this turns out to be true or not, the NBA now has a terrible perception and its reputation and credibility have taken a hit with most people. I dont think anyone can deny that, their refs have gotten terrible publicity in the past before all of this, and people were saying conspiracy before all of this, with these allegations coming out, it's more of a confirmation or verification for most.

The league needs to do something about this because no one trusts the league or stern anymore, he needs to go, NBA needs clean house!



and still people would be suspect of them....



GO STERN GO!!!!!

[BobbyLight]

The fact that Stern has done NOTHING to change the preception of the Refs would have me concered if I was an owner. The more info that comes out and the more this sport looks to be fixed, viewers are going to be leaving in droves. If I was an owner I would think there is no better time to get a new commish. And hopefully that next commish will make all of this BS transparent to the teams and fans.

JVG had a great comment last night about when one team complains to the leauge about something. In the 05 Rockets/Mavs series Yao Ming ended up being the target of the refs. Instead of the leauge giving the info to JVG and try to have Yao adjust, they (the refs) changed the way there were calling the series half way through. If JVG was advised of the complaint and told that they were going to call something a little different, he could've adjusted. Instead he just got screwed.

[Durbanfish4]

This league has become a joke. There should be a complete overhaul of the NBA front office...Stern AND his cronies need to pack their bags and find new jobs....they've frustrated enough fans, players, coaches, and owners. Stern has done very little to help the game of basketball...however, he has made tremendous strides to further develop the business aspect of the NBA. It is obvious that money is more important to him than anything else and that he will stop at nothing to make his business as profitable as it can be.

I couldn't be happier that all this information is coming out during a playoff series that has been bizarre to say the very least. This will stir up an investigation of the league and its practices.

Whenever I hear/read of Stern's (and Stu Jackson) I am always tempted to do this

[Harry Palmer]

I'm not sure where people get the idea that Stern's policy of prioritizing maximum league revenues will somehow get him in trouble with the owners.

[cjs55]

It will if public opinion of the league drops significantly. You only make more money by rigging games if the public doesn't know you're rigging games.

[Harry Palmer]

It will if public opinion of the league drops significantly. You only make more money by rigging games if the public doesn't know you're rigging games.

The public has known that games were being rigged to favor big markets for some time.

A) Market size is a big factor in making a player a star.
B) Stars get preferential treatment from refs.
C) Preferential ref treatment helps teams win.
D) Pretty obvious outcome.

This is just it being done in another way. But if the outrage will be excessive for this, how have we just accepted the above as somehow 'natural'? It was a direct result of Stern's marketing strategy which, in the eyes of many, saved the league back in the early 80's.

[CITYOFANGELSX3]

Are the spurs a big market??

But yeah, i hope david stern gets fired. I hate that annoying little prick.

[Supersonic]

I sure hope so. The liar needs to go!

NBA owners: dump the chump!

[Sroek]

Someone needs to punch Stern in the face.

[massey1992]

I hope Stern is out. He is not a good commisioner and always contradicts himself which means he isn't smart. He needs to just step down or be fired.

[JDubJazz]

I think Stern has been very savvy, and for the most part pretty smart. Playing devil's advocate, if donaghy's allegations are true, then Stern has done an admirable job of hiding for a long time. Eventually this stuff catches up to you though, and I think this may be the end of the line. IF the allegations are true, I hope Stern spends a nice chunck of his golden years in jail.

[HarlemHeat37]

there hasn't been any legit proof, so he's safe for now..

if there's an investigation, Stern's gonna have to make a move IMO..Bud Selig **** up on this..Goodell made some moves that legitimized him more, so I think Stern needs to do the same..if it's assumed that there was cheating, he needs to publicly admit it and strip the Lakers 2002 title, and issue an apology to Sacramento and Houston..

I'd rather he admit it, then keep hiding it..we all know it's probably true anyways, it's not like we didn't watch the games..Stern would gain some respect back from me if he comes out..

[evilRyu]

there hasn't been any legit proof, so he's safe for now..

if there's an investigation, Stern's gonna have to make a move IMO..Bud Selig **** up on this..Goodell made some moves that legitimized him more, so I think Stern needs to do the same..if it's assumed that there was cheating, he needs to publicly admit it and strip the Lakers 2002 title, and issue an apology to Sacramento and Houston..

I'd rather he admit it, then keep hiding it..we all know it's probably true anyways, it's not like we didn't watch the games..Stern would gain some respect back from me if he comes out..

I'm pretty sure there would be severe implications if he ever just spoke the truth. Since it's very difficult to prove, I do'nt know if just coming out will be a reality