‘Twas nine years ago, just about at this juncture of the NBA post-season, that the “egg” was laid that would soon hatch into an “image” issue for Stern, Silver and Associates – one that lingers to this day.
Prior to this season’s pandemic-induced scheduling alterations, 2011-12’s condensed (990 total games, rather than the traditional 1,230) slate was the most-recent occasion when the NBA strayed from its standard 82 games spread across roughly six months.
On St. Patrick’s Day of 2012, a dynastic bunch of San Antonio Spurs were defeated in Dallas 106-99 by the reigning and defending champions, a game in which Pop’s generally clutch crew whiffed on eight of 18 tries from the foul line.