Former NBA commissioner David Stern has suggested that the NBA’s current ban on marijuana is outdated and believes the league should reconsider its stance, Jabari Young of CNBC writes.
Stern’s perspective within the argument, fueled by the medical benefits and factors based in recovery, have shifted over the years with the recent surge of medical use in THC and CBD.
“In many cases in sports,” Stern said, “the opioid crisis begins with players being prescribed pills for their pain, and if there is another substance, whether it be CBD or THC that eases pain, then I’m all for it.”
The NBA recently issued a 25-game suspension to Suns center Deandre Ayton after he tested positive for a diuretic, which is sometimes used to cleanse the body of a THC. Veteran guard Dion Waiters received a 10-game suspension from the Heat after consuming an edible laced with THC last week.
“You don’t want players drinking beer at halftime,” Stern said. “And you don’t want them smoking joints at halftime. But if it’s a controlled usage and has a viable, legitimate use, why not?”
Here are some other odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- Potential No. 1 overall pick James Wiseman is likely to be selected as a top-five selection in the 2020 draft regardless of what happens with his college eligibility, Sam Vecenie writes as part of his story for The Athletic. Wiseman, a 7’1″ center, has been deemed as “likely ineligible” by the NCAA as it continues its investigation.
- Former NBA forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas has been released by Olympiacos in Greece, the club announced in press release. Kuzminskas and the team finalized a mutual termination agreement over the weekend, a source told Hoops Rumors, allowing the 30-year-old to enter free agency and explore other avenues this week.
- Matthew Gutierrez of The Athletic hosted an interesting Q&A with veteran NBA agent David Falk, who discussed the evolving agent business, why Carmelo Anthony could still be a free agent and more. Falk is best known for representing Michael Jordan during his playing career.
Go away David Stern
What is going on with Carmelo? I know he isn’t exactly the Melo he used to be and has had his share of attitude issues over the past few seasons — but still you’d think someone out there would give him a shot. The dude can obviously still play and there are plenty of teams in need of bench scoring and you’d have to think, as long as he were willing to accept that kind of role that he’d be a solid contributor off the bench for a contender. Maybe even the Celtics – if they continue to play as well as they have thus far this season – and the chemistry continues to seemingly be smooth, they could take a flier on Melo and potentially solve two of their biggest issues in one move. Bench scoring and a backup post player (saying he’s more suited as a PF than SF at this stage of his career)
He should go to China he’d be huge there
No doobies in public (!).
Do we know Ayton was covering THC?– Just that he was covering.
So either Stern got a job with a THC company or he’s hanging with Don Nelson in Hawaii
Stern is about to announce his new strains: Malice at the Green Palace and OG Basketball Reasons
°°..°° Everything is better
°°··.. With Green Palace Menace!
(Blue Bonnet jingle)
Malice not Menace.
Jingle-writer career gone.