(Subtitle: Palaver (noun) a: idle talk b: misleading or beguiling speech)

NBA Commissioner David Stern used the above word in an interview with Dan Patrick last spring. It was used as he was referring to all of the backlash over the Suns-Spurs series and the “palaver” being bandied about regarding the suspension of two Suns, while a similar violation committed by the Spurs in the same game went unpunished.  When Patrick confronted him with it, (prompting the use of the “P word”) Stern’s arrogance and defensiveness instinctively kicked in. Not to his discredit though, as apparently he can’t react any other way.  After all, we all know his officials are the most knowledgeable, most well-trained, and most competent in all of sports. If you don’t believe me, just ask him. And to those who thought his opinion may be muffled a bit after the Tim Donaghy disaster, think again. It’s almost as if it had never happened. Donaghy was a “rogue, isolated criminal” according to Stern in his late June press conference. Sure he was. And you, Mr. Stern, are a top-notch commish, despite all the palaver that you deflect. Well, you’re no Bud Selig, but you’re well on your way.

Chris Sheridan wrote earlier today, (Quoting Stern here) “Technically, it turns out every single current NBA referee has gambled in some form, after all -- although none of them are going to be punished for it. And, strange as it may seem, those very same referees will now be permitted to gamble in a multitude of ways.”

That can do nothing but help the game, right Mr. Stern? Who doesn’t want refs gambling? (Public Service Announcement: Are you an NBA official who’s tired of those annoying phone calls saying “When are you going to pay up, punk?” Call 1-800-DONAGHY. We’ll handle any case, no matter how big or small. Stern & Co. We'll go to bat for you. We're so sure we'll come out ahead, we'll bet on it).

Sheridan continues, “Stern said an internal review had found that all [ALL? So you admit it and still choose to do nothing??] of the league's 56 referees violated the contractual prohibition against engaging in gambling, with more than half of them admitting to placing wagers in casinos. But Stern said none of the violations was major, and no referees had admitted to wagering in a sports book or with a bookie.

‘ “Our ban on gambling is absolute, and in my view it is too absolute, too harsh and was not particularly well-enforced over the years," ‘ Stern said. ‘ "We're going to come up with a new set of rules that make sense." ‘

Uh, folks, if that ain’t “palaver,” I don’t know what is. Or dare I say absolute palaver? And did an official leave the general vicinity of the blackjack table during a hand? After all, a rule is a rule . . .

But wait, it gets better, in the same article from Sheridan. "It's too easy to issue rules that are on their faith violated by $5 Nassau, sitting at a poker table, buying a lottery ticket and then we can move along," Stern said. "And by the time I got through and I determined going into a casino isn't a capital offense ... I'm the CEO of the NBA and I'll take responsibility."

No, you won’t. That’s obvious, you arrogant no-mind. And no matter how often

you try to convince us otherwise, we’re not buying it. Just like we haven’t

bought your assertion, or should I say insistence, regarding your stellar

officiating crew. What they did on the court has always been there for all the

world to see. Obviously, what they do off the court doesn’t really matter either.

And neither do these rules you speak of. The fact of the matter is, Mr. Stern, is

that your employees broke your rule, and you are doing nothing about it.

Responsibility? Sounds like more palaver from you if you ask me. But I wouldn’t

ask me if I were you.

Mr. Stern will be at The Improv all week. Don’t forget to tip your bartenders and

waitresses.

Thanks for taking the time to read my palaver.

(And for even more intriguing prose on related topics, see my post from 06/27/07, entitled "David Stern, Teflon No More.)

Source of the Sheridan article: espn.com