DALLAS — David Stern reshaped the NBA into the global giant it is today. As those throughout the league reflected on the former commissioner’s passing Wednesday, Nets coach Kenny Atkinson and Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle were no different.
“When David took over, I was still in high school, so I saw the evolution of the league and being a young fan and watching the league and watching it evolve,” Atkinson said Thursday before the Nets’ 123-111 loss. “Obviously credit to the players, but a great credit to him how the league kept growing.
“I know I benefited specifically from the global explosion of the league, and David understanding that and how important it was and spreading the good word about the NBA. Just a ton of respect for what he did for the league.”
Atkinson played in Italy, France, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands, as well as coaching in Paris, much of that thanks to Stern helping spread the game internationally. And Carlisle — who became close with Stern over the years — recalled time they got to share on Nov. 13.
“David had become a good friend over the years,” Carlisle said. “The day before our game with the Knicks I was able to spend an hour with him in his office on Fifth Avenue, talking about everything from family to business to new ventures and interests, stuff with the league.
“He was vibrant, he was in a great mood. He wouldn’t stop smiling. So that’s how I’m going to remember him.”
Carlisle — who coached the late Drazen Petrovic as a Nets assistant and then Arvydas Sabonis as a Portland assistant — credited Stern with growing basketball worldwide.
“He was certainly one of the great sports leaders of our times,” Carlisle said. “The things he did for the NBA game were of staggering significance. It’s a great, great loss. Still trying to get my hands around it.”
It wasn’t lost on Carlisle that as All-Star balloting opened, the top two vote getters — his star, Luka Doncic, and reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo — are both from outside the U.S.
“Yeah, it’s great. It’s amazing the way that the league has evolved,” Carlisle said. “David had a great deal to do with the adoption and embracing of the global game.”
