That was good stuff. Rome handled himself pretty well. I'm not a Rome guy either but I thought he did well to continue to treat Stern with respect even though Stern began to take shots at him.

 

Agreed.

Mumblings, tweets, and talk doesn't mean it's a legit issue. Is there ANY proof that it MIGHT have happened? If so, then it's legit.

 

So wouldn't this be a perfect opportunity for Stern to dismiss the rumors once for all without coming off so smug and putoff? Shouldn't he have a pulse on the product and what the fans say and think about his league instead of ignoring it? Stern getting on the defensive and in attack mode doesn't help his case for those who believe the NBA lottery system is rigged.

So wouldn't this be a perfect opportunity for Stern to dismiss the rumors once for all without coming off so smug and putoff? Shouldn't he have a pulse on the product and what the fans say and think about his league instead of ignoring it? Stern getting onthe defensive and attack mode doesn't help his case for those who believe the NBA lottery system is rigged.

 

What did everyone expect Stern to say to the question "was the fix in?"

 

Right. We all knew he was going to say "no."

If Stern simply said "no" Rome was going to keep pursuing it saying what you guys are saying. Essentially Rome is saying "prove it wasn't fixed because many blowhards are talking about it."

 

Illegit question. There is no acceptable response to Rome and his listeners.

 

So because he has no proof he shouldn't have asked the question? An acceptable response would be something like no that is ridiculous and the league would never stand for something like that and never allow that to happen. Our fans should know I personally wouldn't let that happen etc... Instead he comes off like a huge jerk on something that obviously hit a nerve.

Edited June 13, 201214 yr by HammerTime

Why would Stern be so angry if he wasn't guilty? I could see someone being annoyed because everyone was asking him about the issue, but he admitted it was the first time he had been asked that. Why start attacking Rome like a little girl if you haven't done anything wrong?

What did everyone expect Stern to say to the question "was the fix in?"

 

Right. We all knew he was going to say "no."

 

He should've addressed it something like this: "Look Jim, we hear what fans and media members are saying. They've been saying it for years. All I can say is it is unequivocablly false. We have representatives from one of the largest public accounting firms in the world, E&Y, in the room monitoring the controls in place to make sure nothing questionable takes place. They sign off on the proceedings in legal documentation (I actually do think that's the case). We have members of different media outlets from throughout the country present every year, and every year it's different people from different areas. Their names are publically known. If something fishy was going on, wouldn't these "journalists" want to be the ones to break the story? If there was even a sliver of truth to these rumors why haven't any of these representatives who were present ever come forward?"

What did everyone expect Stern to say to the question "was the fix in?"

 

Right. We all knew he was going to say "no."

 

I expect him to say no but as commissioner I also expect him to understand that people believe the fix was in and that he would answer the question as diplomatically and responsible as he can. And maybe he's in a bad mood but he could have laughed it off and simply said,"I understand why people may feel that way but let me take this time to reassure you all that in no way would I do anything or be involved with jeopardizing the reputation of the NBA or the lottery process. I know it looks funny that the team the NBA owned received the first pick but I promise you everything was done in fairness for all teams involved in the lottery process."

 

See. Easy like Sunday morning.

Three random people on a sports forum from a state that doesn't have professional basketball just came up with better answers than the guy who's supposed be the corporate face of the NBA. That's interesting.

I don't see how it isn't a legit question from Jim Rome. Everyone was tweeting about it after the lottery. Sure there isn't any evidence to support the conspiracy, but Rome gets paid to ask those types of questions.

 

I can't believe Stern would respond with such a personal attack. Completely uncalled for. I'm very surprised that Rome handled it the way he did.

 

Lastly, Stern needs to learn whose important, because Stephen A. Smith is one of the biggest jokes at ESPN. Can't stand him.

He should've addressed it something like this: "Look Jim, we hear what fans and media members are saying. They've been saying it for years. All I can say is it is unequivocablly false. We have representatives from one of the largest public accounting firms in the world, E&Y, in the room monitoring the controls in place to make sure nothing questionable takes place. They sign off on the proceedings in legal documentation (I actually do think that's the case). We have members of different media outlets from throughout the country present every year, and every year it's different people from different areas. Their names are publically known. If something fishy was going on, wouldn't these "journalists" want to be the ones to break the story? If there was even a sliver of truth to these rumors why haven't any of these representatives who were present ever come forward?"

 

He essentially said that after he threw out the "wife" comment.

He essentially said that after he threw out the "wife" comment.

 

Any credibility he had going into the interview was gone after the wife comment. Extremely unprofessional.

 

Shouldn't he have been expecting a question along these lines from Rome?

For kicks and giggles. The audio is a little off. :lol:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uczUKTwgqeY

He essentially said that after he threw out the "wife" comment.

 

And yet, no one heard a word of it because he acted like a 5 year old girl who just had her ponytail pulled.

Any credibility he had going into the interview was gone after the wife comment.

 

Come on. He didn't lose credibility. He may have lost respect but he certainly didn't lose credibility.

And yet, no one heard a word of it because he acted like a 5 year old girl who just had her ponytail pulled.

 

How did you not hear it. I heard it.