There are two kinds of bosses: The ones you work for and the ones you work with.
Outgoing NBA commissioner David Stern made sure underlings knew they worked for him. I’m thinking Stern’s successor, Adam Silver, will be more a “come work with me” boss.
Either style works, so long as it’s genuine to the person in charge. Stern, who retired Saturday, lasted 30 years as commissioner and left before anyone pushed him out. That’s because he’s very smart and even more willful.
He could argue with anyone, and behind closed doors he was often loud and profane when challenged. He herded 30 owners into a relatively cohesive group by knowing when to listen and when to bully. (Although over the last few years I sensed less and less listening and more and more bullying).
From the two times I’ve met Silver and the impressions of others who know him well, he’s more collaborative and more deliberate in gauging others’ opinions before forming a decision.
He’s a good listener.
Don’t misconstrue that for soft. Silver can be decisive and assertive, as he demonstrated during labor negotiations. But he won’t come across as the bear Stern often projected. And he shouldn’t; that would be play-acting.
Stern has been celebrated quite festively the past week and should be. He shepherded the league from a time when NBA Finals games weren’t even on live television to this global enterprise. He did a lot to salvage players’ reputations from times when there was a presumption half the league was doing drugs habitually.
But it feels time for a fresh start. Stern seemed exasperated and short-tempered on a regular basis the past few years. He was wearing out the people around him with his stridency.
Replacing the guy they worked for with a guy they’ll work with will be a net plus.
Five thoughts on the Bobcats and the NBA
• So the Los Angeles Lakers are going south fast. They’re far enough outside the top eight in the West that Pau Gasol is already talking about the dreaded “playing for pride.” So here’s what I predict: They win the draft lottery and of course this sets off the next round of “see, the draft is fixed” prattle all over the Internet and sports-talk radio.
• It’s Super Bowl Sunday, so here’s my contribution to the Broncos-Seahawks chatter: The Bobcats have an inbounds play they call “Seattle.” Wednesday night at the Nuggets game, every time Bobcats coach Steve Clifford shouted, “Seattle!” Denver fans would shout back “Omaha!”
• If you were up really late Friday, you might have seen actor George Lopez jumping into Stephanie Ready’s post-game interview with Bobcats center Al Jefferson. Lopez introduced himself to Ready before the game, complimenting her on her sideline reporting. I’d say if a Lakers fan is watching Bobcats telecasts, Lopez is really into the NBA.
• Silver will get to pick a substitute for the injured Kobe Bryant on the West squad All-Star roster. Silver doesn’t have to pick a guard because Bryant is the one out. I think it’s a no-brainer that Silver should select New Orleans Pelicans big man Anthony Davis. The game is in N’awlins, Davis should have been selected by the coaches, and the league needs to start showing off the next generation.
• I have a feeling Kyrie Irving and the Cleveland Cavaliers are slowly drifting toward what could be an ugly divorce. If Irving says he’s not sticking around, it will be very challenging for the Cavs to get anything comparable in a trade. It will be like the Carmelo Anthony trade, where the Nuggets got a lot of bodies but little compensation.
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