Ask David Stern

What precautions are you taking to ensure that the NBA does not face the same dispicable problem of performance enhancing drugs that plague the MLB?

What are your thoughts on the decline of the white American Male in NBA basketball?

Do you feel the NBA has lost ground in popularity to other sports becuase it has become too synonymous with hip-hop ostentation?

What steps have you undertaken to minimize incidents or allegations of game fixing by the referees?

How much discussion has there been about reseeding teams in the playoffs based overall record instead of conferences?

Do you ever envision a day where the NBA and the game of basketball becomes a global sport that is as popular as soccer?

Dear Mr. Stern, You have been through a lot in the past 24 years. Was it more impressive to watch Micheal Jordan in his day or Lebron James today? Thank you for your time.

Since the Indiana Pacer organization seems unable to keep its players either out of mischief or associated with mischief, what are you going to do to help the team which has a horrible attendance and seems unable to understand why?

When was the last time you suited up and played ball?

In Soccer after each season, the bottom 3 teams in the top league are replaced by the top 3 minor leagues. Do you think that it could ever be possible in order to have better competition and teams in NBA?

Which areas are suitable for NBA expansion franchises?

Why not make it lucrative for college players to stay in school? Like higher guaranteed contracts for years in school. The youth movement ruined the NBA - kids can't play with men its too hard. Plus, it will help make college basketball better.

Also, why not reach out to your less affluent fans - better tv contracts with more games on the major networks?

I love the Eurpoe idea - however - won't it water down the talent even more, the best players from Europe already play in the NBA?

Who is the player you currently enjoy watching play the most in the NBA?

If the owners of Seattle moves that team to OK City or elsewhere, do you forsee any other NBA team moving to Seattle? (i.e. Don't let the Blazers move)

Will the league attempt to push back the minimum age rule to 20 years old at the next CBA expires? Numerous former superstars (Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley to name a few) have publicly supported the age minimum and recommend pushing it back a year or two simply because it gives the players a chance to mature...

The NBA is a growing global force - very exciting times! How would you want hypothetical NBA China or NBA Europe leagues to interact (if at all) with the current league? Could it ever be more than just exhibition-type games?

Why do you get characterized as having no spine? Is it because you let your referees gamble? Is it because you don't stand for anything? Have you had trouble looking yourself in the mirror? Why does America seem to be loosing any interest in your product? If you can't keep a team in Seattle, why do you think the Europeans would support a team or division?

With illegal performance enhancing drugs plaguing the sports and athletic community, are you considering or already implementing any measures as to how you will handle such crisis if it ever hits the NBA?

when might you consider reseeding the top 8 seeds from the Western and Eastern conferences to help ensure that better teams face each other closer to or in the Finals rather than in the divisional round or the conference finals?

Mr. Stern,
The NBA long ago helped break down racial barriers in this country. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, for instance, were simply stars not a white star and a black star. What influence do you think the NBA has had in voters' growing acceptance of Barack Obama?

Does the NBA plan on fully fleshing out the premise of a minor league system, with each team having a minor league affiliate at one or two levels (equivalent to AA and AAA in baseball)? I think it would help build interest in basketball overall, give players more chances to get fundamentally sound prior to playing in the NBA, and provide another outlet for young players who really have no desire to go to college at any level. Even with the age limit, the college game has been hurt by all the kids leaving early, with power conferences and teams essentially buying teenage free agents for a year or two. I think the NBA could help itself, other struggling minor leagues, and the state of college basketball through establishing a real minor league system. Thanks for your time.

I am a Supersonic fan but more importantly, I am a tax payer in the great
city of Seattle. We have supported the Sonics for 40 plus years and we want to keep our team. However, it gives me pause when Clay Bennett delivers a plan that ask the public to foot a large portion the bill for not only a new arena but a complete sports complex. Surely you and Clay can understand that that money must compete with other city priorities. Solutions can be found by prolonged and serious negotiations and compromises. Our elected officials are accurately reflecting the concerns of their constituents and the realities of budgets.

The impression I get is Bennett and yourself have written off 40 years of Sonic history because the politicians have expressed skepticism over the new Sonic arena. It does not appear you or the Sonic ownership really want to seek a local solution. That is a shame.

Sure our politicians have "popped off" inappropriately but your not without blame.

So bottom line, lets open up serious and flexible discussions to keep the Sonics in one of the major markets in US. Perhaps, Mr. Bennett wants to have an Oklahoma team not matter what. There is renewed local financial interest in the Sonics.

Don't give up on us without a real effort. We are worth it. Walt Winrow

The appeal for professional basketball seems to be growing in places like Europe and China but the NBA can't seem to find its fan base in its own home country. As a a long time fan I can't count how many times people have told me they love college basketball but they "hate" the NBA. Even with the NBA cares campaign is there any hope of creating a broader fan base in the United States? What changes are in store? What are the major obstacles?

NBA has star power, bring back the one on one competitions, that used to be featured during the half-time of Saturday Nationally televised games. I relished these match-ups as a kid, Connie Hawkins vs. Spencer Haywood, Bob McAdoo etc.

Why isn't there a professional team in St. Louis? Many people would love to come out and support an NBA team in this city