Glenn
06-13-2006, 08:49 AM
This is a couple of days old, but it touches on a few things that we have been discussing, the 2.3.2 Finals format, the offense-friendly rules changes, and news about a Pistons/Heat game in Puerto Rico.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-stern10jun10,0,3425103.story?coll=sfla-sports-headlines
Stern aims to change culture
American prospects lag behind imports
By Ira Winderman
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
June 10, 2006
DALLAS ยท Amid scandals from the street level through the high school level and into collegiate recruiting, NBA Commissioner David Stern suggested Friday there might be a better way to develop American players.
In his annual state-of-the-league comments at the NBA Finals, Stern discussed a system similar to those utilized internationally, where prospects are identified early and then cultivated both socially and athletically.
"We have just begun the dialogue about whether, in fact, we should try to support academies or schools or something," he said.
"It just strikes us that there is something out of whack that these world class athletes get exploited and exposed all the way up."
Stern said the approach optimally would be developed in conjunction with the NCAA.
"We have just begun to ask ourselves the question: Is there something, subject to a thicket of rules, that like makes it illegal for the NBA to think about certain things without destroying a kid's collegiate eligibility or something like that?"
Stern also spoke of the need for American prospects to spend as much time working on skill development as their emerging international counterparts, noting how much of the American development system is geared toward game play.
Also during his hourlong session, Stern:
Debated the merits of staying with the 2-3-2 NBA Finals format, in light of the drama presented in the earlier rounds this season under the 2-2-1-1-1 format.
He noted how much of a travel burden a potential Miami-Seattle series could present in the Finals, with the need for four lengthy roundtrip flights between cities, but said, "We would be open to considering it."
Said he received a call from former Heat owner Billy Cunningham, praising the rules changes that have created a more free-flowing game.
"For the first time," Stern said, "he says coaches are putting their best five players on the court, regardless of their position. He just said it's so much fun to watch as a fan."
Announced the Heat and Pistons would play an exhibition this fall in Puerto Rico.
Praised the work of Heat owner Micky Arison, saying, "He's just a very solid businessman who is able to put our business in a broader context."
Stressed confidence in the league's substance testing, but noted the league does not test for HGH, the current scourge of Major League Baseball, because it requires blood testing, which has not been agreed to by the players' association.
Said unlike NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, he has no plans to step down in the near future.
Confirmed the league plans to move forward with permanently returning the Hornets to New Orleans following next season.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-stern10jun10,0,3425103.story?coll=sfla-sports-headlines
Stern aims to change culture
American prospects lag behind imports
By Ira Winderman
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
June 10, 2006
DALLAS ยท Amid scandals from the street level through the high school level and into collegiate recruiting, NBA Commissioner David Stern suggested Friday there might be a better way to develop American players.
In his annual state-of-the-league comments at the NBA Finals, Stern discussed a system similar to those utilized internationally, where prospects are identified early and then cultivated both socially and athletically.
"We have just begun the dialogue about whether, in fact, we should try to support academies or schools or something," he said.
"It just strikes us that there is something out of whack that these world class athletes get exploited and exposed all the way up."
Stern said the approach optimally would be developed in conjunction with the NCAA.
"We have just begun to ask ourselves the question: Is there something, subject to a thicket of rules, that like makes it illegal for the NBA to think about certain things without destroying a kid's collegiate eligibility or something like that?"
Stern also spoke of the need for American prospects to spend as much time working on skill development as their emerging international counterparts, noting how much of the American development system is geared toward game play.
Also during his hourlong session, Stern:
Debated the merits of staying with the 2-3-2 NBA Finals format, in light of the drama presented in the earlier rounds this season under the 2-2-1-1-1 format.
He noted how much of a travel burden a potential Miami-Seattle series could present in the Finals, with the need for four lengthy roundtrip flights between cities, but said, "We would be open to considering it."
Said he received a call from former Heat owner Billy Cunningham, praising the rules changes that have created a more free-flowing game.
"For the first time," Stern said, "he says coaches are putting their best five players on the court, regardless of their position. He just said it's so much fun to watch as a fan."
Announced the Heat and Pistons would play an exhibition this fall in Puerto Rico.
Praised the work of Heat owner Micky Arison, saying, "He's just a very solid businessman who is able to put our business in a broader context."
Stressed confidence in the league's substance testing, but noted the league does not test for HGH, the current scourge of Major League Baseball, because it requires blood testing, which has not been agreed to by the players' association.
Said unlike NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, he has no plans to step down in the near future.
Confirmed the league plans to move forward with permanently returning the Hornets to New Orleans following next season.