NBA News: Adam Silver, the Next NBA Commissioner or the Next David Stern?

Saturday at a press conference during All-Star Weekend, David Stern made it a point to let the NBA know he would like for Adam Silver to wear the cap of commissioner when he decides to leave.

Though in the same report, he mentioned he wouldn’t be around for 2017 where CBA talks could be reopened, he failed to mention when exactly he would retire, saying “I'm not going to be here when it either is or isn't reopened in six years."

The only other answer he offered about making a decision is that it would come "very soon."

It’s no secret that through the last couple of years, Adam Silver has often taken the podium and spoke for the commissioner on decisions the NBA has made. Fans have to wonder, though, how much David Stern’s influence and ideas on the league would be reflected through Silver if he did take over as commissioner.

Obviously, David Stern has accomplished a lot of positive things for the league, including adding expansion teams, creating offices overseas to expand awareness of the league and creating NBA.com TV, a 24-hour hub for all things NBA.

Another fact that is worth reminding is many do still continue to speculate whether or not the last couple of years David Stern has been as good for the league as he was for the past two decades.

The lockout was ugly as ever, and at times, Stern seemed to exhibit too much power, canceling games and putting ultimatums on the union for decisions. Though it wasn’t until Stern vetoed what now looks like the best deal for the New Orleans Hornets that writers as well as fans began to ask, “Has Stern been in office too long?”

So if David Stern gets his way or, rather, as he cleverly put it, “That's ultimately, if I had the decision, if I were doing it myself, he would be the commissioner," would we get a new commissioner with a fresh state of mind ready to power the NBA into the future? Or would too much of David Stern’s influence continue to loom around if Adam Silver were to take over?

It’s hard to say either way, seeing as though the only times we do see the face of Adam Silver is when he is relaying  David Stern’s messages.

Though it should be noted that Silver did lead lockout negotiations in which he did save the owners about $280 million a year, which could already make him a shoo-in when it comes time for owners to vote.

As much as I respect intelligent businessmen in the 29 owners around the league who would make the final choice, I have to wonder if Adam Silver was chosen as the next commissioner, how the players would feel; and if he even would be their pick, even though most owners could probably care less what the players think.

As cliché as it may sound, only time will tell, but in the meantime, unless another candidate emerges, it isn’t a shot in the dark to already imagine Adam Silver as the next commissioner.