David Stern Interview: Commish Gives Pompous Host Jim Rome Taste of Own Medicine

It's about time somebody knocked Jim Rome down a peg.

Rome and NBA Commissioner David Stern got into a spat on Rome's radio show when Rome asked Stern if the league's draft lottery was fixed.

The radio host wasn't exactly shy in posing his question:

"

"I know that you appreciate a good conspiracy theory as much as the next guy, was the fix in for the lottery?" asked Rome, who hosts a daily show on CBS Sports Network.

"

Stern had enough of Rome before he even got started. His retort was as follows:

"

"I have two answers for that," Stern said. "The simple easy one, no, the second, a statement, shame on you for asking."

"

That was the best thing that Stern could have done in that situation. For years, Rome has been a pompous defamer of many guests that he had invited on to his show, regardless of their qualifications or international stature.

There will surely be those that believe the commissioner crossed the line when he asked Rome, "Have you stopped beating your wife yet?" 

I, for one, loved it. Not because I enjoy public figures being called out on their propensity to be involved in domestic abuse, but because Rome was left speechless for the first time in, I don't know, ever.

He always has a quick, (sometimes) witty rebuttal to a statement that doesn't please him, but this time, he had to wrack his condescending brain for a few seconds to think of what to say back to the commissioner.

All he could muster was, "I don't think that's fair."

Maybe it's not the way a leader of a major sport should carry himself, but he sure did give Rome what was coming to him for a long time.

Stern takes a lot of abuse for what he does with his position in the NBA. Many people believe that he has extended his influence too far and is destroying the league. Despite the widespread hatred and questioning, Stern seldom fires back at his critics.

It was a nice breath of fresh air to see the leader of the NBA defend himself against a guy like Rome.

Say what you want about the possible conspiracy theories surrounding the New Orleans Hornets winning the draft lottery, but you can't discount Stern's moxie after his showdown with Rome. 

In other news: somewhere, Jim Everett is smiling.