Some might think of him as the best sports commissioner, some the worst. But there is no doubting that David Stern has guided the NBA to unparalleled heights in the past 27 years. With a collective bargaining agreement behind him, a new stable of stars just hitting their prime, and interest at levels not seen in many years, it definitely makes sense for him to make his escape soon. Just about the only thing he hasn't accomplished that was on his agenda, at least in my memory, is starting officially sanctioned NBA teams or leagues in Europe and other overseas locations.