David Stern praises Abe as a model owner

[fishercob]

Mods feel free to merge this somewhere else, but I couldn't find a good place for it off the top of my head.

I was listening to Bill Simmons' podcast last night. He had David Stern on, and a good chunk of the discussion was a reflection on Stern's 25 years as commish (in about 6 weeks).

So Simmons is asking him a number of best/worst questions, and he asks him "best owner."

Stern says Larry Miller, Bill Davidson, and Abe Pollin.

Simmons was taken aback by the Pollin choice and asked Stern if Pollin still owned the Wizards -- and if you listen to it, you can sort of tell that they both acknowledge that Abe is in failing health. Stern says that Abe is indeed still the owner, and what makes him great is that he empowers his basketball people to make basketball decisions, etc.

I'm not making an argument at all, but I certainly found it noteworthy that the Commissioner went out of his way to praise Pollin. Stern's perspective is a unique one, as he's concerned with the health of the league overall, as well as its member franchises.

[Benjammin]

To me, that's sort of like winning Miss Congeniality at a beauty contest. But Abe Pollin does have strengths to go along with his failures and weaknesses.

[BanndNDC]

From a league perpective i dont dont that he's a great owner. he doesn't bitch and moan, he respects and cares for his community, he's loyal, he doesn't rock the boat, he's fiscally prudent and he's been around a long time.

from a fan perspective all i can say is that Dan Snyder has made me appreciate Abe's qualities even though a bunch of those qualities have driven me mad over the years.

[badinage]

No, this is a good thing.

Maybe Stern can now fix the lottery for us again -- same as he did in giving a mulligan to his mega-star MJ, who then proceeded to waste the gift on (gulp) Kwybaby Brown.

[LyricalRico]

Of course Stern loves Abe. He's essentially the anti-Cuban.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Stern's words sound a lot like the lifetime appreciation award they give to ancient film directors at the Oscars. They almost never live to see next year's awards.

Abe's time must be up soon.