Genius is as genius does. Isn’t that how the old saying goes? Anyway, if you haven’t been graced in the presence of current-day genius, prepare to bask in the brilliance of the man behind it all – the grand master who makes it all happen, the one who holds the answer to the meaning of life, well, at least the meaning of basketball, behold, none other than, the Commish. In case you don’t know, here’s a rundown of why David Stern, commissioner of the NBA is equivalent to genius in the name of this game.

1. He’s widely regarded as the best Commissioner in all of professional sports.
2. His last name is defined as “Hard, harsh, or severe in manner or character.” Perfect for a commish.
3. He graduated Rutgers University as a dean’s-list history student, graduated from Columbia Law School, and passed the New York state bar exam. That’s no joke!
4. Has been with the NBA for over 30 years, becoming the league’s Executive Vice President in 1980 and Commissioner in 1984.
5. He established drug testing with the NBA Players’ Association giving bloggers around the world extra writing material when players get caught.
6. He established team salary caps with the NBA Players’ Association. The owners must love him for this.
7. He became Commissioner the same year Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, and John Stockton entered the league. Coincidence? I think not.
8. He expanded the number of NBA teams from 23 to 30 franchises. Cha-Ching!
9. He made it an international game. Games are now televised all over the world and players from all over the globe are showcasing their skills.
10. He expanded the NBA into Canada. Who else is going to root for Jake Voskuhl?
11. He brought the NBA All-Star game to Las Vegas when they said it would never happen.
12. He increased the NBA’s charitable contributions through their “Read to Achieve” and “NBA Cares” social programs. Because reading is FUNdamental.
13. He launched a 24-hour television network, NBATV.
14. He brought the league from the verge of bankruptcy to fifteen-fold revenue increases since he started as Commissioner.
15. He brought back the NBA All-Star Dunk Contest and got rid of the horrible 2Ball.
16. He brought back the old NBA leather basketballs mid-season in 2006 after numerous player complaints.
17. He helped the NBA survive a lockout season in 1998-99
18. He replaced the NBA Legends Game during All-Star weekend with the Rookie-Sophomore Game after too many old timers were getting injured.
19. He handled numerous difficult situations, including Magic with HIV, Tim Donaghy gambling, and the Ron Artest Malice in the Palace.
20. He made everyone go to college for at least a year.
21. He only has to shake the hands and announce the players for the 1st round of the NBA Draft.
22. He helped the NBA survive the retirement of Michael Jordan…. 3 times.
23. He put in place a respectable dress code for players so they can get their GQ on.
24. Albert Einstein is a genius. Einstein has shiny white hair. So does David Stern.