My letter to David Stern

[CBeyond]

Everyone has argued at great length over the validity of the suspension decision, but I have the impression that such arguments carry little weight in the mind of David Stern. He will always rationalize the decision by stating that he was following the rule, and if the outcome was unfair, it was because of the rule and not his own actions.

There is however one area that was completely within his control, and I sent him a letter today to call this to his attention:

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May 17, 2007

David Stern, Commissioner
National Basketball Association
645 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10022

Mr. Stern,

As a lifelong fan of the NBA and the Phoenix Suns, I feel compelled to express my disappointment over the remarks you made during your interview with Dan Patrick, broadcast on ESPN Radio on May 16th, 2007.

You apparently have some history of resentment toward Mr. Patrick, but I think you forgot that your words were also carried to all Suns fans throughout the world.

Your replies to Dan Patrick's questions carried a tone of mockery and smugness that deeply offended me and other Suns fans. Speaking for myself, I was hoping to hear some sense that the matter of Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw's suspensions were considered by you and Stu Jackson with reflection, rationality, and objectivity. You did not provide that sense during your interview.

You were rude and disrespectful both to Mr. Patrick and to your listeners. You missed a perfect opportunity to provide a conciliatory response that would have gone far to soothe the frustration Suns fans were feeling toward the difficult suspension decision.

Please be more polite and respectful in the future. If you can't maintain a cool head and a composed demeanor on a stressful day such as the 16th, I would encourage you to hire a spokesperson to handle such difficult interviews.

Sincerely,
ME

 

[DarrinS]

(sigh)

 

[Bong]

Nice job.

Gonna also send one to Stu Jackson and Dan Patrick?

 

[Hat]

Doesn't matter. Stern is a smuggant busness-man. He doesn't understand basketball and how the physicallity, emotions, etc. play out, especially in Playoffs. Yes Amare and Diaw were wrong for stepping out from the bench, but it was a crucial time in the playoffs. It's like winning a basketball game with free-throws, no one wants to see that. A little freedom of the rules could have been intiated by Stern, but his disregard for the game and playoffs really played a big part in his horrible decision.

 

[Wally]

The Dead Horse Rises Again

Dictator "Little Hitler" Stern needs to be replaced with someone who has more common sense.

I know this is beating the dead horse but Duncan & Bowen left the bench when Jones knocked Elson to the floor - Elson ran after Jones and was restrained by an official - Duncan was restrained by Bowen. What's good for the goose should be good for the gander. It seems to me that the official felt Elson's intent was to go after Jones (an altercation) and Duncan & Bowen left the bench. The only fair thing to do would be suspend them as well.

 

[TJ]

Dictator "Little Hitler" Stern needs to be replaced with someone who has more common sense.

I know this is beating the dead horse but Duncan & Bowen left the bench when Jones knocked Elson to the floor - Elson ran after Jones and was restrained by an official - Duncan was restrained by Bowen. What's good for the goose should be good for the gander. It seems to me that the official felt Elson's intent was to go after Jones (an altercation) and Duncan & Bowen left the bench. The only fair thing to do would be suspend them as well.

"Little Hitler?" Remember, Stern is Jewisn

 

[az1965]

He will not step down. The owners need to make it an agenda for this off season to force him down. He is destroying the NBA, f****** a******.

 

[scoutmasterdave]

Dictator "Little Hitler" Stern needs to be replaced with someone who has more common sense.

"Little Hitler?" Remember, Stern is Jewish

Godwin's Law never faileth.

 

[Arctic]

He said if the owners want to change that rule, he'd change it. I bet nothing happens. the owners won't act.

 

[Wally]

Godwin's Law never faileth.

Perhaps my use of "Little Hitler" was not appropriate since I don't want to offend my Jewish associates, but I really don't think Hitler comparisons have been over-used on this group as Godwin alludes.....Maybe Osama-bin-Stern ....whoops, I forgot, Stern is Jewish, and I don't want Osama's followers getting mad at me either.

I would be willing to bet that there will be a change in the rule as the fans across the US are expressing their dislike for this "rule".

 

[BC867]

David Stern and his significant other Stu Jackson just said to their neighbors,

Mr. and Mrs. Phoenix and Mr. and Mrs. Goldenstate, "Thanks for letting the

kids entertain us by shooting baskets all winter. But now it's time to put

them to bed and let the men play."