David Stern

Welcome back Dennis and Callahan as we wrap up finally and last game one of the Celtics Lakers game one here in Boston. Joining us on the phone lines the commissioner of the NBA David stern good morning commissioner thank you for your time this morning we appreciated it. We're doing very fine was that -- talked to first about scheduling the finals of both on the clock and on the calendar. By the interest intelligence -- baseline to begin this conversation mr. stern what are the factors in the considerations that have game one scheduled for Thursday when the conference finals and the last Friday.

Oh well when we gave up with -- years ago in conjunction with our broadcast partners but. I think it's more us than them on this one is we try to get a firm date. Or at the start of the finals and affordable that we used as we picked the Thursday's start if either one out the two conference finals -- six stamps if they had -- five or less. We start on Tuesday if it's at least once six game. We swing at this Thursday in that a way we very much like have a spark. That we can work with you know everybody knows what the Super Bowl is separates that are. We will looking for a way to to have it's almost thought they'd as you could have one of the sort.

Maybe that explains that the to a schedule have been taken a beating here this week from from us and from yeah you have indeed -- A beating because. I don't understand you supposed to be a smart guy a visionary. Always thought highly as commissioners ago. And you I have scheduled this finals the Celtics Lakers so that whole generation of fans can't see any of it I don't know if you know many. 101214 year olds but they can't watch this series if it's on too late on the east coast. Virtually every game is going to and midnight and I find that incredibly shortsighted and --

Well you know I guess well I was -- you. That's a nice easy statement but the question becomes. Using the game gets harder -- I stick -- or less people watch the game that late.

Well I think in in likes all of the world here in the country. I don't know the country I assume that I don't grab -- school that we know that right --

You know I mean it's not -- and -- luck and of course you're ignorant if you will what you will be short -- that was as they don't understand. The great old if the ratings go up there rating -- only go up if the if the if there's more people watching why went so slow and so. But I wouldn't 8 o'clock. As more people watched. It will be at the clock. Because because that's where they were going to get the largest immediate.

Why is the Super Bowl on at 630.

I don't know. I don't know -- does that and the other I would say this guy -- reality well at the all the Super -- on a Sunday night yeah you have to certain things you have the game's final that. We have had three networks CBS NBC and ABC. We're told us that despite that an article that they -- east coast radio. That we won't let the world watches aggregation of offense. If we threw it as that we do -- has posted by the clocked as possible pennant and so and so even though. Sounds good what you say it's just accurate.

Well all I said was here's can't watch mr. commissioner ally said was kids can't watch.

Well where we actually. Pete would you -- it's about about the phantom the NBA. Is generating is -- any of -- work and cute. And the other sport that's the reality I agree that is why I -- and watching TV. It is significantly there there're there're there're absorbing such and other ways I can you explain it is good -- but. What it would make those kids so it's. This week but the reality is -- you -- all of course and you know and it's going to be interesting at least in LA. You know you would almost bought it what the 5 o'clock in no way that the late offensive. What -- in their cars on the on the TV sets in their cars.

Why do they have to watch in their cars on the Sunday. Right yeah crusade against two Sunday games on after 9 o'clock at what sense does that.

Up equipment only only a few at the numbers in the fact network -- as -- we get higher ratings the receiver that's just how it. It's easy to say I hit it rates. Well I I think you have stated that higher rates so only flow from higher. He which flow from more people watching the game.

on the demographic. There's a -- I understand that logic as it applies to the five games that are during the week you have an obligation to that large population senator that is southern California I fully grasp of that. My -- point is that you have two games on Sunday and you made a very good point. The growth of the interest to young people you know eight years old ten years or fourteen years old to the NBA you Telesis growing have no reason to doubt. Don't you also -- obligation to those young people the ones who are buying the -- buying the jerseys buying the NBA -- to put on their bedroom wall watching the games all year and watching the games all year when they -- on locally at 75 -- 735 the opportunity to at least watch two games on the weekends if if it goes that far on -- Sunday where you -- start at 6 o'clock he would still -- three in the afternoon in Los Angeles and would go 'til nine -- 930 on -- Sunday night -- in the east -- could not -- masters -- to -- well earlier on the Sunday.

Our our our network partners in that case tell us that there'll be much lower accumulation of audience of that. -- Really solid series and I guess you guys -- is spending the week on the marketing ankle -- of the.

I don't understand -- you can and what you're doing Celtics Lakers Celtics Lakers such a huge event in in it was in my life wasn't all our lives on here and you have a whole generation of kids who can't watch it and they will never be over understand. What was thriller lust for us to watch. In the eighties -- others in the sixties they can't see the 2000 because you decided to put on too late because your network partners -- could get more. Middle aged men and watch it.

that no actually not but those it's you know even if you can't those is not. He doesn't -- so they'll get a chance but look at it would make -- up. This is that it's so important that they you know that mean if you want to talk about technology. We bill would do it but I don't feel that I made these drastic decision. You know that you that the you know we we can agree to disagree.

Let me ask you this do you think this opportunity the first time in 21 years -- the Lakers and Celtics are together. Presents to you not a unique opportunity but one that hasn't been seen in 21 years to have two of the most storied franchises in the game. Go head to head in the second part of that question is if indeed part of your job and I assume it is is to grow that game. What do not take a page from read our -- book many many years ago that he always allowed tickets to be available for walk -- sale on the night of the game so a -- could say that the father at the dinner table -- you want to go to the game tonight -- make a last minute decision take the kid to the game -- ticket at the door that night and grow the game for future generations of NBA consumers commissioner.

And so the question is. The Celtics should help out. I don't know the question is that if you are being dealt a bad itself but that it made game they'd make it to develop and -- talk about it and so I'm.

making the analogy that red -- was very very concerned and very very aware of growing the Celtic product for future generations this does nothing to do with -- but about growing the game for future generations my point is this is an opportunity the first time you've had 21 years to allow Laker and Celtic franchise is that everybody pays attention to not just people that LA and not just people in Boston too consumed this and your future generations. On the play games all have the good.

Only to god that people had not as people on the east coast to be people you know and I don't think we've got a problem Austin. I think everybody knows who the Celtics are fans of of -- so that so I think that. You know remember it's an hour earlier and it goes up to three hours earlier that was of course the country.

You know like -- But it -- shut us Upton all it is just did one game one Sunday afternoon game --

By the way -- a marked by other jobs is shut you up it would open a big way that you guys have only worth of stuff you know that -- it. So it became marketing and gain promotion geniuses it's fun you listened to it the fact of the matter is that we work hard. You know maybe we have failed to witness one day's work hard each of our team's payroll billion tickets available at also -- Edict in the course of the season we have junior NBA should -- WNBA we've worked wildly in the community hard. 22 you know grow our game. You think we missed this terrific opportunity I've not goes to the side and made people that that -- the Upton to watch game. But we're working hard to make them feel good about -- and -- ultimately become fans of the NBA is that no other way. You know the most of them are gathering on line they're playing video games that the league lapses they're getting out. And watching sports center in the mornings so we don't feel as though the story of the FDA is being with help from them.

Commissioner stern I'm wondering how much of an impact or how much involvement do you and your office have. In selecting specifically the officials for the eastern -- Western Conference finals and then ultimately the NBA finals and the reason I bring that up there was a more discussion here you go on the -- that is talk radio as to why the league would allow even the reception to exist. The Joey Crawford might make a bad call against the San Antonio Spurs given his recent history that wasn't so good that got -- suspended. From the San Antonio Spurs even it was completely innocent why would the league that is so sophisticated in in so many areas allow him to officiate that game and put him in opposition.

Oh well I guess you guys -- sitting there and now we have a second there which -- not so sophisticated one marketing. -- What Syria the is. That that either Jolie is a member of the spending. In our refereed staff or he's not. And that are right and I'll take responsibility ultimately as the CEO -- no reference so. He -- I can't have a -- in response to a game. Either he's desirable or is not. -- you concerned all of into the that waited for the judgment about you know about whether reinstate him what he was reinstated. He's a member in good standing up as the.

Yeah what a -- just easier to put him in the Eastern Conference where San Antonio needed it.

You know like if I could you know likely decide yet. Sure you know what you do aren't many teams all up and they lead don't despite -- a -- Joe could you both you guys are just that you don't understand I mean. Wake up. Once you control of the excitement of the official for the teams were at whatever reason. That you might as well pack it is. And that's the decision out of middle long time ago when. And it was a particular official that it seems sort of had trouble with a metaphorical promote storied executives simply about. David -- side that official. The -- game -- was so much younger. I thought about it about said that it is that it can't possibly work that.

You know Crawford probably is a feud in every city anyway so let them know.

Although he's thirty. This thing that we still let the officials for the sole purpose of verdict that why they -- the latest --

Why does the league himself after that call or non call -- league apologize which is pretty cool thing you know we don't -- corrected it. You could.

Which inevitably in the British as police began that I haven't but.

I honest -- credits a wide ban and not like after the Selz Pistons game seven when Ben sell the tournament I would consider one of the worst -- I've ever -- Paul yourself when you three point which. Room he took it away called profits of well. Do you not correct the record on that call is that because the Celtics won that game that wasn't that we -- make a big issue out of it.

I don't remember he had managed to suppress that probably. Probably -- this -- was -- it thing you know we're. -- wrestling with a change in technology the mean now. Look you're looking you look at -- C is slow bowl from six different angles and and so. When someone says it well how to do. So what what happened with that score we do review every hole we don't of course you know correcting correct there -- You know we respond we're -- I wait we're trying to boosted it up without making crazy Eddie that I that one. You know you go both ways. Some of the other shows that doesn't well why would you why would you. Throw your rest of the or if the team didn't complain why did you say anything yet that was we read that we pitted so we're not pleased. Without the please everyone affected -- you'd be about 5050 and everything we do.

I don't where -- how do you go do you pick your officials for the finals should know this but I think it Tuesday guys -- going to be doing well.

These guys that they're rated. In the course of this season. By Joe manages boat shoes I would step. And we. You know -- plus. You know we look at the kind of -- they're having what there was as we thought with a certain number for the playoffs. A certain number of referees what the first round but or out. And as we now over the who I can't remember when this all comedy we ultimately have for the finals policy it doesn't.

So did the best to let it be thought -- had a -- yeah. --

would you address the the donning the story number of times and I read about it it's it's incredible how brazen this guy was. And I can't help but wonder how the how do you know David how do you know that he acted alone is Q did you do your own investigation before you. Given that conclusion -- did did the federal government did the did they convince you that he acted alone.

You know I I I have one -- to make over statements until sense of investigation is formally closed but suffice to say that we. Have which is in -- not -- sure it would it's no recession we've done with indicate that he was other than isolated criminal. And so in -- good. I mean that's that's you know that we thought. -- law enforcement authorities rather directly and so you know it's it's a touchy area but I you know I I was thinking about it earlier this morning because. Because right now public he has declined to meet with -- us. And so the only people who know everything that we read everything we've had our meeting. Party SP the US attorney Don McGee and his lawyer. But you might guess that we've done as much work as we could you would lead to. To understand the what went on here and on the basis of all of our work we have no reason to believe that it was others that -- themselves.

Commissioner stern I assume you've already read the New York papers this morning and the most recent sordid details of donny's enterprise as it -- and used to just the sport you can tell is -- you know law rule got a rogue won one man guy. But I what do you say you thought about the slot and I don't doubt this based on you know -- responsibility to keep your sport a -- boredom is responsible. But it concern. Alice a free pass the certainly the NBA hasn't gotten a free pass on bombing -- but if you can say what getting your. We've ever had any well we're we're just trying to ask questions the Boston Globe ask you about you stop and smell the roses and what's your favorite Celtic Laker stuff we --

So I'd say easily and it just once argued that we got -- In this that I would probably and by the way yeah. Happy that you probably titles and I'll say yes and didn't go audio -- I assume a position where it's not about the lottery. Charles Barkley -- Holidays on the Patrick Ewing handled the New York at. And that that certainly the Pistons were on the same date in two gave there's of the a bodily injury -- because that's my job. We as a head on.

My last question what this commissioner's -- happy with the Lakers till the final at a.

People in Detroit San Antonio think to put the fixing and -- did a good job we appreciate it.

That are excited you know this is. The lottery I mean what might what might story of right.

as much as -- lot about the W situation and -- it -- that I don't want to use the -- free pass is clearly you in the NBA haven't gotten one but have you -- quiet moments with your feet up -- your slippers on said you know what. If this situation. We're taking place in the National Football League everything exactly the same except for you take -- and put him in in in. Linesmen -- or of field judges uniform the NFL. This thing would be off the charts with you know senator from Pennsylvania investigating and congress threatening anti trust and all kinds of things that do you think would be different if this were -- NFL refereed not an invite you -- commissioner.

Lilly violently you've got to be it. Really I mean think about that. You know the NBA with its players it is -- that every time a player -- respite or something. We get -- okay. And there are probably statistically. Were visible -- better days than any other sport. But we get it. Out there we don't get anything that's equivalent to a retest at all. Down two out -- dark spot as the quality of play operators and officials although. That's bad you know Saudi. Patriot nation you kids you can bet yet BA sorry good all right good try guys you know -- condemn. -- the forties anything -- on another sport but let me we'd take shots. We and grow up happy to what was the -- but don't you lead out one because it doesn't.

Fair enough here's my suggest if I were you you know and I'd do gave.

And they not only does all of that.

I would have a day game's first of all on the weekend and you know what our fondest memories and wanted to practice our fondest memories of those. Hot Sunday afternoons at the gun for themselves Lakers themselves playoffs but anyway. Once it.

An -- bit of a lot of members don't like hey where. If it was so -- I had a an official asked I don't rush through red block as what we Adam stretched out in. -- there was no air conditioning but it was spectacular aboard the garden was one of the great buildings in which to watching game.

Must anyway I -- it was -- Earl Strom did you give a multiple.

It would oh god I think it was not -- I think it was that you haven't.

They would you should make it easier to make trades because we just saw the transformation sell the franchise. Almost instantly because of two big deals and and you know Danny Ainge is certainly getting credit for that but it be a lot more fun if teams could turn it around. That quickly by making big trades. And we would talk a lot more with every time someone mixes it. On the way we go it doesn't match.

You do it -- about -- a good anyway but by the way it's we try. You're absolutely right it's it's -- it's -- it's a constant. Struggle because one of the things you do with the salary. You try to promote -- position so that teams even in the small -- can compete. I would not trade you'd think what you're saying is you could have disproportionate salaries. That favors it and that. And so we've wasted the limit you can. Of this proportion by 15% we do things like that so it's but I I had and the point you know and there are trades there are free agent signing that there are drastic. There was development of play has already had a lot.

Did you ever think you'd see a player as good as Michael Jordan and do you think that Kobe Bryant is getting close.

You know I. All I can say is I think it. Hope he is a transcendent talent at a aren't. -- you guys have been openly admit that they report tells the players in the India than ever before if you watch a player of -- the in going there and our you know Dwight Howard this whole. Eric Williams you to use in the seats together with all of the National Guard base surrogates. And Colby as I think it is good as a player that's -- player.

Our commissioner stern I leave you with an easy one just selected in time my early evening -- seven times in a row what time exactly will tap off speed you know.

No I'm -- in those seven and and you want to give me your number are you you'll probably get -- I don't -- a rod and -- what -- the -- so. Optic not mean 978 Beatles -- thirty seconds.

All right David stern commissioner of the NBA thank you very much for in the -- she doesn't a lively discussion --

Thanks for being interest that I appreciate you are at the.

We'll -- in Boston down the road I actually excellent for -- David stern with them. -- I hope that backs had a minute he's going to pick up the I had thought about it but I was scared intimidating followed dale hollow Loria morning voice how hard time usually. I I can sort of ball longer you guys are and what