WITH the globalization of the National Basketball Association as emphasized by the NBA Global Games Philippines 2013, league commissioner David Stern considers the Philippines as one of the driving forces behind that movement.
“The Philippines is the most important market in Asia,” said Stern, who has served his position since 1984 and will step down on February 1, 2014, ceding the NBA leadership to deputy Adam Silver.
Stern’s most enduring legacy is the worldwide growth of the league. In the 2013-2014 season, 12 teams will play 10 games in 10 cities in seven different countries, including the Philippines, which hosted an NBA game for the very first time last night.
Stern though, was quick to state that another NBA game in Manila won’t be happening any time soon.
“I wouldn’t be that hopeful. Regular season games are hard and more expensive to mount. There are also competitive considerations to think about. Friendlies work fine for us. But we’ll have to ask commissioner Adam Silver about that,” said Stern.
He also added that the possibility of a Filipino finally playing in the league is an individual matter but something that is within reach. “You had your team qualify for the World Cup. Your juniors team also made it. But it really depends on the amount of dedication and sacrifice that the player will put forth.”
Stern also expressed his pride with the NBA’s Development League which has produced the likes of up-and-comer Reggie Jackson of Oklahoma City and the Houston Rockets’ Jeremy Lin, who spawned the phenomenon “Linsanity.”
“Lin was overlooked because he was Asian and he came from Harvard. You take your pick,” jested Stern who also added, “We have a full-fledged D-League now that has 17 teams. By 2015, we’ll have 20 teams. Here, the players get an opportunity to play and it keeps them within attention of NBA teams. I’m proud of the D-League and the rise of the quality of its game. It’s an important place for teams.” /Correspondent Jonas Panerio