Former NBA commissioner David Stern passed away on Wednesday at the age of 77, weeks after suffering a brain hemorrhage. To honor Stern's monumental contributions to the game of basketball during his 30-year run as commissioner from 1984 to 2014, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James hopes that the league will name an award, or a day, after Stern in the near future.
“He definitely should have something named after him,” James said following the Lakers’ 117-107 win over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. “Either if it’s an award, or, I don’t know, a day? During the course of an NBA season, there’s a ‘David Stern Day.’ I don’t know. We can figure it out.”
Stern is widely regarded as the greatest commissioner across all sports and he deserves all the credit for turning the NBA into the global force that it is today. In further celebration of Stern's life, LeBron posted the following message on instagram.
"I will never EVER forget when you called my name on stage and I shook your hand. My dream came true!!! Thank you for your commitment to the beautiful game of basketball that has changed so many young adult/kids lives and more importantly your vision to make our game become WORLDWIDE was a vision only you could make happen! You did just that. Making our game the greatest sport in the world! Was a honor to know you personally. Rest In Paradise David Stern! My prayers goes to your family and friends throughout this difficult time!"
Read what some other NBA legends had to say about the late commissioner in the tweets embedded below.
https://twitter.com/_/status/1212488862322372611
https://twitter.com/_/status/1212518570237628416
https://twitter.com/_/status/1212525424363941894
https://twitter.com/_/status/1212506574243147778
https://twitter.com/_/status/1212497189043351553
https://twitter.com/_/status/1212481163215818752
https://twitter.com/_/status/1212484090231869440
https://twitter.com/_/status/1212486430267781121
https://twitter.com/_/status/1212503667527573511
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6y6_Y3ALRP