Dear Mr. Stern:

I am orange and black and made of leather. I have "the logo" tattooed on my chest and "Spalding" slammed across my forehead. I have been in the hands of a King and palmed by Superman, and I've been kissing the glass since I can remember. I make dreams come true and shatter high hopes; I get so much air the atmosphere is jealous.

I'm closer than court side and nothing but net. I'm in your grandfather's trophy case, hiding out in your garage and hanging out with the kids on the playground. I've watched boys become men, athletes become elitists, and icons become untouchables.

I'm the game-winning, buzzer-beating, last second jumper in the hands of the closer. I've been jammed, slammed, dunked, bounced, laid-up and thrown down. I've been taken to school, coast to coast. I am definitely official.

I represent the game. As a fellow icon, you represent the game. I can't talk, but if I could, I would have a lot to say. Last night, Lebron James was eliminated from the postseason. I watched him walk off the court, leaving his fans, teammates and coaches behind. I watched as he bypassed the media room, slipped on his earphones, and slipped out the door. He became mute to the world. It's funny, because during the season, he had so much to say. And now?





It's your job as the commish to lead these men. I am the official game ball. Lebron is the official league hero. And his actions were a complete embarrassment. I sit in the bedrooms of the dreamers next to posters of Lebron. I put in countless hours at the gym shaping young children into their idle... A 23-year-old man who doesn't have the dignity to lose with respect. It's not easy, being me. I see a lot, but last night I wish I hadn't witnessed such a performance. Next to the game ball, the handshake is one of the most time-honored traditions in this sport. And it eluded the chosen one? That's not acceptable.

Winning isn't everything, Mr. Stern, but it was the only thing that could have gotten you one step closer to the Kobe-Lebron finals you've been dreaming of. And winning is only second to respect. Without respect, you have no fans, or dreamers, or sponsors or players. It might just be about money to you. But tell that to the six-year-old in the front row who I saw looking up to King James all night. Who does he look up to now? You need to give him someone to look up to. Your job depends on it. And frankly, so does mine.

For the Love of the Game,
The "Official" Cavaliers-Magic Game 6 game ball

To the City of Brotherly Love

Andre Igoudala and Co. just got some of the best news they will hear all off season. They have a new head coach, but not just any head coach, a phenomenal athlete, leader and role model who will excel in this position. Six months and 5 days ago Eddie Jordan was fired from the Washington Wizards. Today, the Philadelphia 76ers hired Jordan to lead them to the top of the Eastern Conference and beyond. And they will get there. They hired the coach who can take them there. Just don't think the Wizards are going to stand in his way.