As announced this morning, long serving NBA Commissioner David Stern has advised the media he will step down from the position he has resided over since 1984. He is to be succeeded by his VP Adam Silver.

Since taking charge 28 years ago, Stern, the NBA’s 4th commissioner, has overseen the drafting and retiring of some of the greatest players the game has ever known, dealt with numerous controversies and scandals and dealt with a number of lengthy and painful lockouts but will always be known as one who set the bar very high.

Stern had this to say:

“For the most part it’s been a series of extraordinary experiences and enormous putting together of pieces of a puzzle and it goes on forever, and there will always be another piece of the puzzle and so the question is at what point do you decide that, let someone else do it? That’s the point that I’m at now.”

Leadership will carry over from February 1,2014 which gives the Commissioner 15 months to fully prepare himself, the league and his successor for the transition.

We wish Mr. Stern all the best and thank him for his lifelong contribution to the game we all love so much.

Nick C.