The NBA is Dead!

Okay, the NBA isn't dead, but the second worst thing has happened. David Stern announced he will be retiring as NBA Commissioner on Feb. 1, 2014.

You can read the full news release here.

Stern started his career as commish in 1984. Choosing to step aside on Feb. 1, 2014 will mean that his 30 years as head of the NBA will make him the longest tenured professional sports commissioner ever.

I've always liked Stern, even during the most recent lockout where it was rumoured that he was shaking his finger at Dwyane Wade during negotiations like Wade was a petulant child. Even when some players subtly (and not so subtly) alleged that Stern may be racist during those negotiations, I still put my faith behind him. Does that mean I'm racist? I hope not. I even liked him during the controversial Chris Paul trade veto, which wreaked of conflict of interest.

I like Stern because he's smart. He hasn't been perfect as commish, but when you compare him to the other commissioners of the North American pro sports leagues, it's evident that NBA fans have the smartest one.

Goodell is embroiled in the controversy over his hypocrisy of claiming to care for the safety of his players, despite lobbying for an 18 game season. Selig battled against the steroid epidemic in baseball during the late 90s and 00s after turning a blind eye to the issue for a long time (they were hitting more home runs, weren't they?). And Bettman is the only commissioner who is deliberately trying to get himself fired by sabotaging his own league (okay, maybe that's not what he's doing but wouldn't we respect him more if at his retirement announcement he just smiled and said, "I can't believe I put the NHL through three lockouts and still stepped down on my own terms," dropped the mic then strode out of the press conference while Public Enemy - Harder than you think played him out?)

Stern is also the most self aware out all the commissioners. During this year's draft, he came out to announce every pick with a big smile on his face, loving the boos by the fans. He even cupped his ear Hulk Hogan style during the opening segment. How awesome is that?

I highly doubt we'll ever see one of the other commissioners doing something that displays their own self awareness; unless we see Goodell lighting a cigar with a wad of burning $100 bills.

Although some may not agree with me, I'll miss David Stern and wish him nothing but the best while he sits on a lawn chair on his Florida lawn and fans himself with money, or whatever rich retired guys do.