The NBA Wants the World.
Adam Silver plays the long game
Thank you for reading The Dope.
The commissioner of the National Basketball Association recently dropped an idea that would remake or invalidate almost every record that’s ever been set in the league, and he did it so casually that he might as well have said, “I’m thinking carne asada burrito, but you know I love myself a good fish taco, too.”
And that’s often how Adam Silver works. He is aggressively pro-idea. He doesn’t reflexively look for reasons not to make a change. He is in favor of remaking the NBA in ways that appeal to fans, but he rarely comes across as craven or wild-eyed.
So when Silver told broadcaster Dan Patrick the other day that he was intrigued by the idea of shortening the NBA’s games to 40 minutes (from the current 48), he didn’t make it sound particularly radical. Nor did the commissioner pretend that the idea was close to happening.
But watch this guy. He’s very, very sharp.
And he’s got the whole world in mind.