Back in 2011, the Los Angeles Lakers were about to pull off the greatest finesse known to mankind. They had made a trade with the New Orleans Hornets that would send Chris Paul to Los Angeles and somehow, the Lakers would save $40 million in the process. At the time, the Hornets were in shambles and were technically owned by the league. Commissioner David Stern felt like the deal was a bit of a farce so he decided to veto it, much to the chagrin of Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, the Lakers, and fans of the purple and gold, all around the world.
Stern and Kobe have both passed on since then and recently, Paul joined Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes for an episode of the "All The Smoke" podcast. In the clip below, Paul talked about the vetoed trade and how it disappointed him greatly. It was his one chance to get to play with Kobe Bryant and it was ultimately squandered.
This trade is easily one of the biggest what-ifs in the history of the NBA. Had the trade been made, Paul could have had a title and Kobe could have matched Jordan's six rings. In the end, the Lakers dynasty came to a screeching halt while Paul had an entertaining yet unsuccessful tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers.
At this point, all we can do is look back and wish things were different.
Chris Paul Comments On Lakers Trade And What Could Have Been
Chris Paul almost joined Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers but the trade was vetoed by David Stern.
Chris Paul is considered to be one of the best point guards in the entire NBA although he has certainly had his fair share of bad luck over the years. Back in the day, Paul was supposed to be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers but the trade was vetoed by David Stern who claimed it wasn’t a fair deal. Fans were incredibly upset by the move and it made Stern an unpopular man in LA for many years. Since Stern’s passing, Lakers fans have forgiven the former commissioner for his move.
Recently, Paul appeared on Take It There with Taylor Rooks. During the interview, Rooks asked Paul about the Lakers deal that never was. Paul reflected on that time of his career and whether or not he still thinks about it. As he explained, there wasn’t much he could do although he and Kobe Bryant had made big plans at the time.
“It’s even crazier to think about now, given the situation in the past few months — losing Kobe and David Stern,” Paul said. “It would’ve been special. I talk about it at some points. Me and Kobe actually got on the phone and talked about this and that. Me and my brother were about to get on a flight to L.A. There are times when I think, ‘This would’ve been (special),’ but I can’t get caught up in that. It all worked out.”
Had Paul joined the Lakers, they would have been a serious problem in the Western Conference for many years. Instead, Paul went to the Clippers and eventually the Houston Rockets before being dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Regardless, it’s fun to imagine what could have been.
NBA Reveals Kobe & GiGi Bryant All Star Jersey Patches
Every player competing during NBA All Star Weekend will have a special jersey patch honor Kobe, GiGi and others who passed in helicopter crash.
The NBA has chosen to honor Kobe Bryant, GiGi Bryant, and the seven others who passed away in the helicopter crash by placing memorial patches on each of the All Star Game jerseys.
As shown in the tweets embedded below, the black patch on the right shoulder features nine stars in a circle, as a tribute to Kobe & GiGi, as well as John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Christina Mauser, Payton Chester, Sarah Chester and Ara Zobayan. Each All Star jersey will also have a black stripe on the left shoulder, as a nod to former NBA commissioner David Stern, who passed away in January.
In addition to the All Star jerseys, the NBA has also revealed that the leagues rookie and sophomores competing in the NBA Rising Stars game, will all wear jersey patches featuring the Nos. 2 and 24 in the center surrounded by nine stars. The same patch will be worn by the All-Star Saturday Night participants competing in the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest and Slam Dunk on Saturday.
As a further nod to Kobe and GiGi, every player on Team Giannis will wear No. 24, while Team LeBron dons the No. 2. The league has also tweaked the overall format of the All-Star game as a tribute to the late, great Laker legend. Click here for a breakdown of how the scoring will work in Sunday's game.
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Kawhi Leonard Explains What David Stern Means To Him
RIP David Stern.
Former NBA commissioner David Stern tragically past away this past week at the age of 77. Stern was known for his incredible work with the NBA that saw the league become a global brand. Stern helped make the league what it is today and numerous players paid their respects to the man who pioneered a whole era. If you ever dreamt about playing in the NBA, Stern was always a part of that dream as he would be the man you shake hands with on your draft day. This fantasy is something Kawhi Leonard knows all too well.
According to Tomer Azarly of Clutch Points, Leonard was recently asked about Stern's impact and his memories of the former commish. As the Clippers star explained, he always thought about walking across the draft day stage and shaking Stern's hand. Luckily for Kawhi, it was a fantasy he got to live out.
“Just knowing that if I really wanted to get here, I would have to shake his hand to be able to enter the league... I got the opportunity to do that and meet him," Leonard said.
Leonard was drafted 15th overall by the Indiana Pacers in 2011. Since then, he has enjoyed a successful career that includes two NBA titles with two different teams. Stern was a part of Leonard's dream which just goes to show what kind of impact the commissioner had.
LeBron James Urges NBA To Name An Award Or Day After David Stern
LeBron James & others celebrate the life of David Stern.
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 one of the greatest commissioners 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.
NBA Stars React To The Passing Of David Stern: "We Lost A Legend"
Stern was 77.
Former NBA commissioner David Stern passed away on Wednesday at 77. He served as the NBA's commissioner from 1984 until 2014, and helped make the league one of the most powerful sports corporations in the world. His tenure is considered the most successful period in basketball history, and he even went on to start the WNBA in the mid-90s. Stern's impact on the sport is bigger than anyone can put into words, but legends all over the league are offering up their words none the less. Stars from Kobe Bryant and Shaq, to Magic Johnson and Scotty Pippen, took to social media to share kind words and moments.
"The game changed in so many ways under David Stern’s leadership and vision," tweeted Kobe. "He demanded the best of everyone because he gave it himself." "The NBA owes David Stern a debt of gratitude," tweeted Isiah Thomas. "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." Check out all the reactions below.
David Stern, Former NBA Commissioner, Dead At 77: Report
RIP to a legend.
Former NBA commissioner David Stern passed away on Wednesday afternoon, the league announced. He was in serious condition following surgery for a brain hemorrhage on December 12. Stern was 77. Stern’s wife, Dianne, and their family were with him at his bedside, the league stated. “For 22 years, I had a courtside seat to watch David in action,” current NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “He was a mentor and one of my dearest friends. We spent countless hours in the office, at arenas and on planes wherever the game would take us. Like every NBA legend, David had extraordinary talents, but with him it was always about the fundamentals — preparation, attention to detail, and hard work.”
Stern was NBA commissioner from 1984 to 2014 and helped grown the NBA into one of the most popular sports leagues in the world. Stern was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014, and was the longest-tenured NBA commissioner by far. Stern also founded the WNBA in 1996. He was known for implementing rules that aimed to control players; Stern introduced the league’s first drug testing and salary cap, and he instituted a dress code (infamously condemned by Allen Iverson).
Stern brought in seven expansion teams: the Bobcats, Grizzlies, Heat, Hornets, Magic, Raptors, and Timberwolves. He also helped relocate six other teams, including the Supersonics’ move from Seattle to Oklahoma City. Stern was born in New York City in 1942, and spent his childhood in New Jersey as a Knicks fan. He was married to his wife for 56 years at the time of his death.
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