David Stern: the NBA commissioner says his league will be 'a light in the darkness'

JAMES BROWN: You've been recognized by the SPORTING NEWS as the fourth most powerful person in sports. When you think about being one of the most influential people in pro sports, has it really sunk in? Do you think about that at all?

DAVID STERN: I'm just trying to get through the day, and that's not just false modesty. It's a great game, and we've had some spectacular players, athletes and owners. Any time your commissioner is recognized in any way, shape or form, it really has to do with the many people that work in our industry.

On LeBron

J.B.: Let me take off my media hat and say I'm so pleased with the way LeBron James has handled the exceptional hype surrounding him. Are you optimistic this young man can grow with all this attention?

STERN: It's hard for any kid to deal with those kinds of pressures. He seems to be an awfully nice kid, he seems to be shouldering the responsibilities well, and he seems to be understanding that his game can speak a lot for itself. He hasn't disappointed us, and he's shown every indication that he's maturing on and off the court, so I'm very optimistic there.

On labor relations

J.B.: How would you characterize the NBA's working relationship with the labor union?

STERN: Actually, all things considered, there is a spectrum, and we're at a pretty good place on the spectrum. If you placed us among the four sports, I'd like to think that we're probably second in our relationship with our players to the NFL. We're working hard, (NBA Players Association executive director) Billy Hunter and I, to understand each other and to understand what's good about our system and what needs improving. I guess hockey doesn't have much of a relationship today, and baseball has an improving relationship, but I think we've been at it longer in terms of a partnership with our players.

J.B.: I know you can't play clairvoyant, but are you optimistic about keeping the labor peace?

STERN: I think there may be some increased rhetoric along the way, but I remain optimistic that we will be able to realize compromises have to be made by both sides and we'll be able to replace our current deal when it expires June 30--hopefully before. I know the players union would like to do it. We'd like to do it. There are some hard issues, but we'll keep doing whatever we have to do, certainly, to demonstrate that we've tried as hard as we could on both sides.

On the 'basket brawl'

J.B.: After the "basket brawl" between the Pacers and Pistons, you moved swiftly, quickly and thoroughly. Did that incident create a black eye in terms of the way the sport was perceived around the world?

STERN: It couldn't have helped. There are those who say, "Any publicity is good publicity." That's wrong. It showed us at our weakest moment. The only way we can deal with that is to strengthen our resolve that it won't happen again. We will be a light in the darkness of misbehaving sports fans and players. We will demonstrate to players and fans alike that sports should be our proudest moment rather than one in which we are ashamed.

On Grant Hill's return

J.B.: I know you have to be impartial, but what do you think about the return of Grant Hill?

STERN: I am partial. I think it's wonderful. I think it's a gift to the NBA. It's a gift to the Magic, but more importantly, it's really a gift to Grant Hill. And he deserves it. For putting up with the struggle to come back after all these years and the surgeries and illness that flowed from that--I couldn't be happier for Grant. I think he's a terrific player, but he's really a very good person. He deserves the good luck that he's having. I have a smile across my face every time I see him driving, and I'm sure Steve Francis does, too.

The James Brown Show airs weekdays from 10 a.m.-noon ET on Sporting News Radio.

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