Stjörnurnar kveðja Stern

Henry Birgir Gunnarsson skrifar 2. janúar 2020 09:00

NBA-heimurinn er í sárum eftir að fyrrum yfirmaður deildarinnar, David Stern, lést í gær 77 ára aldri.

Stern var yfirmaður deildarinnar í 30 ár eða frá 1984 til 2014. Undir hans stjórn varð NBA-deildin að einni vinsælustu íþróttadeild heims og er enn. Körfuboltinn á Stern mikið að þakka.

Stern var fæddur og uppalinn í New York og ólst upp sem stuðningsmaður Knicks og fór iðulega á völlinn með föður sínum.

Hann útskrifaðist sem lögfræðingur frá Columbia-háskólanum árið 1966 og spilaði körfubolta í lögfræðingadeild New York-borgar. Slæm hnémeiðsli bundu svo enda á körfuboltaferilinn.

Það var mikið áfall fyrir marga að heyra af fráfalli Stern í gær og allar stærstu stjörnur körfuboltaheimsins hafa þakkað honum fyrir sitt framlag eins og sjá má hér að neðan.

"Once he said my name, my life changed."@Giannis_An34 on @NBA Commissioner David Stern: pic.twitter.com/rWATvzYL0m
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 2, 2020

The game changed in so many ways under David Stern’s leadership and vision. He demanded the best of everyone because he gave it himself. #Respect Thank you Commissioner. RIP pic.twitter.com/veT9GQfrdC
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 1, 2020

Larry Bird sends his condolences to the Stern family. pic.twitter.com/VJ9xDoLd6f
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) January 2, 2020

Hornets Chairman Michael Jordan today released the following statement on the passing of NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern

: https://t.co/3Tmrp3cv7T pic.twitter.com/YI9CyXkkW5
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) January 1, 2020

Very sad day for basketball. We saw David Stern a lot in the 90s and I found him to be kind, thoughtful and almost always the smartest person in the room. He was an innovator who helped grow our sport into a global game and his impact will never be forgotten. RIP, Commissioner. pic.twitter.com/FzlJwnJmrK
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) January 1, 2020

Thank you David Stern! You changed everything and we’re eternally grateful. Rest In Peace. Lots of love to the Stern family.
— Steve Nash (@SteveNash) January 1, 2020

The NBA owes David Stern a debt of gratitude. His courage, innovation intelligence, tenacity & his ability to manage our league that has become a global success. He charted a path for modern-day basketball. We all benefited from his vision and strong beliefs. #ripdavidstern
— Isiah Thomas (@IsiahThomas) January 1, 2020

The league wouldn’t be what it is today without you. The entire NBA family and fans around the world will miss you. #2009Draftday

RIP David Stern pic.twitter.com/tnSYMsTnjp
— James Harden (@JHarden13) January 1, 2020

Today I lost a friend and a mentor. They say it takes 3 generations for you to create a true legacy, #davidstern did it in one. God speed and test in peace my friend pic.twitter.com/NJQ5S3PKZU
— Dominique Wilkins (@DWilkins21) January 1, 2020

David Stern was such a history maker. When I announced in 1991 I had HIV, people thought they could get the virus from shaking my hand. When David allowed me to play in the 1992 All Star Game in Orlando and then play for the Olympic Dream Team, we were able to change the world.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 1, 2020

I can not put into words what the friendship of David Stern has meant to me but many others. He changed so many lives. David was a great innovator and made the game we love what it is today. This is a horrible loss. Our hearts are with Dianne & their family. RIP my friend. @NBA pic.twitter.com/mbnneqm18s
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) January 1, 2020

RIP David Stern! Shaking your hand on June, 26, 2003 was a dream come true pic.twitter.com/ZCT7naJPcU
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 1, 2020

RIP Mr David Stern

The best commissioner to ever do it. pic.twitter.com/SgO0hMX3Ia
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 1, 2020

RIP David. You always said you made me and you were absolutely right . You were a friend, mentor and administrator of the largest donut fund ever. You are missed. pic.twitter.com/RYACDOj9ii
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) January 1, 2020