David Stern, League Office Address Bullying, Hazing with NBA Teams

The American sports world is still wrestling over the infamous Richie Incognito/Jonathan Martin hazing controversy. What started in the Miami Dolphins locker room has not only infected the entire NFL, but it also threatens other leagues as well.

It should come as no surprise, then, that the NBA league office is starting to weigh in on the topic of hazing in its own locker rooms.

The NFL has drawn criticism for its lax policy in regard to rookie hazing, so the NBA is probably looking to distance itself from the other league. Anonymous sources within the league are trying to point out the differences in their treatment of rookies, according to ESPN's Marc Stein:

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...sources with multiple teams consulted by ESPN.com this week have said that the NBA culture is different than the NFL's when it comes to the behind-the-scenes treatment of young players.

Said one Western Conference team official: "It has really lightened up in recent years."

Added another team official from the West: "I've been around for a while and I've never really heard any crazy stories."

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This is far from the first time Stern has waded into the waters of controversy with his rulings.

In 2005, he instituted a mandatory dress code for all players. Stern clashed with some of his star players, who didn't like the dress code, according to ESPN's Chris Sheridan.

In 2007, he stayed adamant in his refusal to change his infamous "leaving the bench" rule after the Suns' Amar'e Stoudemire and Boris Diaw briefly left the bench—though neither player came close to the action—in a Western Conference Finals game against the San Antonio Spurs.

But no matter what Stern's critics think, he has always been a shrewd, forward-thinking commissioner. He is a former lawyer, and he knows how to shield his league from potential lawsuits. Stern usually gets what he wants, and this anti-hazing policy should be no exception.