The Commish

Fathers, lock up your daughters...

David Stern's in town!

That's right - the NBA's boss is in Portland tonight to watch the Blazers take on the revamped (and newly mediocre) Phoenix Suns. Phoenix is 2-4 since trading for Shaq, which is about what anybody with a pulse could have guessed.

Stern also found time to participate in an nba.com "live chat", which is a fun little game where everyday fans, like you and me, get to ask him a question, and he gets time to sit and formulate a calculated inoffensive answer.

Everybody wins!

You can find the chat here.

Here are some questions I would have asked him if I had the chance:

- Can you please give an answer regarding your unwillingness to step in and save the Sonics franchise that isn't wrapped in confusing legalese?

- Can you explain what efforts have been made by you, the owners, or anybody else in the league office regarding the possibility of changing the "bench rule" that cost Phoenix a shot at the championship last season?

- When can we bring back the NBA Old-Timers game for All-Star Weekend?

- Do you remember that time that Vernon Maxwell ran into the stands in Portland and punched that guy that was heckling him? That was awesome.

- Why haven't we heard anything about Tim Donaghy in months? What's the latest? Is he still alive?

- Speaking of referees, can you explain to me again why Joey Crawford was suspended last season - without blatantly lying?

TJH