Stern: Phl deserves NBA game
NBA commissioner David Stern wasn't shy of saying that he's happy the Philippines, being the best market in Southeast Asia, got the first shot of hosting a first preseason NBA game in the country.
Stern, who arrived here Wednesday for his first visit in the country, granted interviews as soon he’s settled, the first one before a select few at the Sofitel at around 2 pm, and another for the general media at the MOA Arena in Pasay hours before tip- off of the Indiana Pacers- Houston Rockets pre-season game.
He was joined by NBA Southeast Asia chief Scott Levy, NBA country manager Carlo Singson and NBA executive director for communications Michael Bass in the briefer.
" We've heard great things about the Philippines and how intense the country is about the NBA and basketball. But I tell myself the only way to really know is to be here to appreciate it," said Stern, who turned 71 last Sept. 22. "The Phl deserved this and they got it," he added.
Stern was not shy of conveying how overwhelmed he is by the enthusiasm and interest of Filipinos. " The Filipino fans are extraordinary, they know everything. They're rabid fans in a wonderful way," he said.
The Phl, of course, is the biggest market in Southeast Asia and one of the biggest in the Asian region, the reason the NBA Global Games series decided to visit not just the Phl but Southeast Asia for the first time.
"The NBA is always trying to find ways to take advantage of opportunities particularly in Southeast Asia, and the Philippines lead the way," said Stern. " But we're beginning to see activity around like Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia."
Stern said the coming season may turn out one of the exciting seasons in the NBA because of several subplots.
" It's a great time to be a fan of the NBA because of some extra- ordinary lines. I'm not sure if I can do justice to all of them," said Stern. " But the reshaping of the Brooklyn Nets, the injury of ( Russell) Westbrook, the return of Kobe ( Bryant), the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs and their interesting additions, and also these teams here, Houston and Indiana, should attract interest."
Stern was also asked on what's his favorite moment in the 30 rookie drafts he attended and he counts the years Hakeem Olajuwon and Chinese star Yao Ming were drafted No. 1 in 1984 and 2002, respectively. Interestingly, both were tabbed by the Rockets.
" Honestly, the most memorable moment for me was when in the last draft, the last pick, Hakeem Olajuwon came out wearing what looked like the same tuxedo he wore in 1984. Of course, he’s expanded a bit, but that was a very, very memorable event. And my colleagues hadn’t told me about it," he said.
Olajuwon, of course, was the first pick Stern announced after taking over as commissioner in 1984.
"And Yao Ming. You know, that meant something to me. He wasn’t at the draft. I called his name, and here was someone who was going to go into the CNN studios in Beijing and be interviewed by whoever was in charge of it," he said.
" And it told me that sports has yet another layer to it, because that was really the beginning of Yao Ming being a bridge between two countries.
" Through Yao, the Chinese were going to know a lot more about the USA and Houston, and through Yao we were going to get to know a lot more about China. And that’s an aspect of sport that I’ve always enjoyed, he added." And the worst? " I never really did enjoy telling a player that his career is over because of drug abuse. To tell Michael Ray Richardson that, it was really difficult," said Stern referring to the 1986 ban he slapped on Richardson after violating the league's drug policy thrice.
Stern also discussed his retirement next year and how he will do after it.
" There's nothing to advance Adam because he was with us for 22 years and he knows everything about the league. I will still be around with the league in some capacity but it would be interesting to have a good rest first," he said.
Stern started with the NBA in 1966 as an outside counsel, joined the NBA in 1978 as General Counsel, became the league's Executive Vice President in 1980 before becoming Commissioner in 1984 after filling the void left by Larry O'Brien.
Adam Silver, who has worked with Stern for 22 years, will take over from him next year.