Speaking at an event for Lakers season-ticket holders, Kupchak took the opportunity to laud NBA commissioner David Stern, who will retire this February, for the job he's done since taking over—with the exception of "one moment."
"He's done so much for this [league with] his vision," Kupchak said, according to the Los Angeles Times' Eric Pincus. ". . . We'll miss him, with the exception of one moment."
That moment Kupchak is referencing dates back to December 2011, when Stern vetoed a trade that would have sent Chris Paul from the then-New Orleans Hornets to the Lakers. Soon after, Paul was shipped to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Lakers' in-house rival.
"Have you forgiven him for that one moment?" asked Lakers broadcaster Stu Lantz, who was moderating the event, per Pincus.
"No I haven't," Kupchak responded.
Of course he hasn't. How could he? Kobe Bryant sure hasn't, after all.
The Lakers would be in a completely different situation if Stern didn't interfere with the deal Kupchak orchestrated nearly three years ago.
Acquiring Paul would have cost the Lakers Pau Gasol, but not Andrew Bynum, the foundation of a Dwight Howard trade that would take place eight months later. To think, if it wasn't for Stern, the Lakers may have had Kobe Bryant, Paul and Howard in tow last season.
What happens after that would've been anyone's guess.
Maybe Kobe and Howard don't butt heads alongside the NBA's best point guard. Maybe the Lakers don't struggle to make the playoffs. Maybe they contend for a championship and both Howard and Paul re-sign over the summer.
Maybe the Lakers are still a powerhouse today.
We'll never know. Because of Stern. And you better believe this is on Stern. The NBA was an acting ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
