NBA Continues Focus On Cleaning Up Image Of League, Players

Stern Continues To Try To Clean Up NBA’s Image

NBA Commissioner David Stern “seems determined to leave as his legacy not only pumped-up franchise values and a [new ball], but a league full of players who dress nicely on their way to games, wear their shirts tucked into their shorts, and say please and thank you to the referees,” according to Michael Grange of the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL. Grange: “Increasingly, over the past few seasons, there’s been a sense that the league isn’t entirely comfortable in the bed it’s made for itself” (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 10/31). Stern: “I used to think the precise rules of what you wore on the court and how you wore (that) here was an NBA way to deal with it. Which is ‘let’s not get too uptight about it.’ But I decided that I was wrong” (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/30). In L.A., Kevin Modesti wrote of on- and off-court dress code mandates made just before the start of this season and last, “It’s hard not to suspect the NBA of pulling a marketing prank here, creating false conflicts right before the season tips off so that fans, radio hosts and guys like me ... will talk about basketball in a sweeping cultural context” (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 10/29).

BALL BOYS: On Long Island, Barbara Barker wrote despite player complaints about the new ball, it “might be performing better from an offensive standpoint.” NBA Exec VP/Basketball Operations Stu Jackson said that scoring was up 3.4 points per game during the first 110 preseason contests and field-goal percentages “also had improved.” But the average increase of 2.5 turnovers per game “is not a surprising development considering the feel of the ball is the top complaint.” Knicks G Stephon Marbury: “Nine guys out of 10 are going to tell you that they don’t like the way it feels” (NEWSDAY, 10/29).

MEDIA OUTLOOK: In DC, Michael Lee lists five things in the NBA “On The Rise,” including “David Stern’s Power.” Lee: “An iron fist? Commissioner Stern rules with titanium” (WASHINGTON POST, 10/31). On Long Island, Shaun Powell wrote the NBA “isn’t so bad anymore. It never will be like before, but the league is trying. Hard. And it shows. The league is giving us reasons to come back and at least take a chance, even if you can’t embrace it totally” (NEWSDAY, 10/29).