STERN CANCELS SEASON!

[capitalcity]

Commish Cancels Season:
Following Hot Heat performances, Miami steals the Show

Posted 11:24 - ASSOCIATED PRESS

LAS VEGAS - Jason Kapono and Dwyane Wade were the big winners Saturday night in more ways then they expected. After winning the Skills Challenge and the 3-Point Shooting Contest respectively, Wade and Kapono learned they, along with their Miami teammates, will be named 2006-2007 champs.

In an unprecedented proclamation late Saturday evening, NBA commissioner David Stern announced the remainder of the 06-07 season will be scrapped. Starting Tuesday, all remaining regular season games and potential playoff series will be eliminated; and in lieu of an on the court series, the Miami Heat will again be crowned World Champions.

Prior to taking the Thomas & Mack Center podium, Stern informed team presidents and player's union representative Billy Hunter via a mass communicae. Attempts to contact NBA Vice Presidents Stu Jackson and Joel Litvin for comment were unsuccessful.

"I am aware of the concerns of players and fans. Certainly there will be players and organizations that feel this decision is rash and ill-conceived," Stern said from Las Vegas' Thomas & Mack Center. "However, the events of tonight further indicate why the Miami Heat are now, and will continue to be, the NBA's marque franchise and the Champions of the World."

"I wasn't surprised to see tonight's exhibition parallel the Finals outcome of last summer. With the maturation of young Jason and the determination of star of stars D-Wade, records and opponents can expect to fall in short order."

Stern addressed the media without taking questions and gave little clue to why or how he came to his decision.

"With the international spotlight on Las Vegas and the NBA, I feel this judgement will elevate tomorrow's game to a greater level. It will be a perfect conclusion to what has been an exciting 06-07 season. Starting Tuesday we can move forward focusing on expanding our game to include several markets from overseas. Hopefully the elongated off-season will produce more worthy contenders come November."

Word of the cancellation trickled down through NBA circles and player reaction was mixed. Co-Star of the night, Heat Guard Jason Kapono, reacted with reservation.

"I heard that the commissioner wants to end the season following tomorrow's game. I can say now that I believe his decision is fair." Kapono said. "It's probably not what some would have wanted, but it's nice to hear the good news earlier this year."

Kapono blistered stars Gilbert Arenas and Dirk Nowitzki with a final-round 24 -- just one shy of the event record. Kapono, the fourth-year pro who finally blossomed with the Heat this season, tied Mark Price's final-round record and fell just one point shy of Craig Hodges' overall mark with an impressive performance leading off the last round.

"It's something that I dreamed of as a kid," Kapono said. "Obviously I learned early on that I wasn't ever going to be in on the slam dunk part of this [event]. I'm glad the commissioner stepped in like last June, I needed the help. "

After one of the toughest opening rounds in the event's history, Kapono made 11 straight early shots and finished with six baskets in his last eight, earning ecstatic high-fives from Miami teammates Shaquille O'Neal and Alonzo Mourning.

Earlier in the evening, Dwyane Wade defended his title in the Skills Challenge with a perfect final run through the obstacle course to beat Kobe Bryant in 26.4 seconds. Wade and Bryant eliminated LeBron James and Chris Paul in the first round.

“I decided to wing it,” said Wade, who will play in his third All-Star Game on Sunday. “That’s the kind of player I am, and once I saw Dick Bavetta standing there watching I just knew it was going to be my night.”

With Miami teammate Shaquille O’Neal cheering him on, Wade finished in 26.1 seconds, narrowly missing Nash’s record 25.8 seconds from 2005.

Much like last June, Wade was flawless in his winning trip. The phenom hit three passing targets and a top-of-the-key jumper, all on his first attempts. O’Neal glanced at the clock and cheered after Wade sank the long jumper in front of him.

By the end of the evening Heat players and coaches were found congregating deep within the bowels of the Thomas & Mack Center. In a scene harking back to Game Six of the Finals, Wade and O'Neal were seen embracing and congratulation one another. 3-Point Trophy in hand, Kapono organized an inpromptu conference call with coach Pat Riley and Miami Herald reporter Dan LeBatard.

Despite the melee, O'Neal was plainly heard over the commotion. "Stern's my boy. He knows what time it is. Daddy got the one for the thumb."

Minutes later, media members present were escorted out as the makeshift locker-room was then roped off. NBA officials then ushered in what appeared to be several cases of champagne and the Larry O'Brien trophy.

[MavinVA]

Hilarious.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Stern is doing you a favor by letting you say anything about him.

[chumdawg]

You have to admit, that was playa-playa the way Wade walked through the Skills Challenge just as slow as he could and still win. Playa made, brutha.

[rmacomic]

That's gold Jerry, Gold.

[Windmill360]

yay

[RizAmlani]

Very Funny.

[mqywaaah]

Wtf?! Cap, you almost gave me a heart attack! LOL

[Underdog]

I knew this was a joke as soon as I saw the title of the thread, but then again, I thought the same thing when Stern announced the new ball at the beginning of the season...

[mqywaaah]

Clever. Very clever indeed.