Borrowing Shaq's 'Godfather son's analogy" David Stern combines Michael Corleone's analytical mind and structured format for business with Sonny's aggression and intimidation to lead the NBA. While abuse of power is never a good thing I would much prefer to have an aggressive and decisive leader than a passive one who waits too long to act before problems spiral out of control. In case there was any doubt, former Stern right- hand mind and current beleaguered NHL commissioner Gary Bettman employs the Fredo Corleone approach to his business. After the events of the past year I'm sure many fans would be happy to take Bettman's management style out on a fishing trip.

David Stern has always been a progressive and aggressive leader throughout his 20 years as NBA commissioner. And when you are willing to be a bold leader there will always be critics and Stern has received his fair share of criticism over the years but this year the controversy has hit a peak.

	Stern's vote is the only one that counts.  (Source: AP)

It's not so much the length of the suspension that was extremely shocking. Few would disagree that Ron Artest deserved a lengthy suspension. During a Today Show interview, his first national interview after "The Malice at the Palace", Artest seemed more interested in promoting his role as producer on an all girl group's new CD than showing remorse for his actions. And prior to his running into the stands and beating a fan, Artest had asked the Pacers for a few weeks off to focus on the music portion of his career so obviously we're already discussing someone who wasn't in the right frame of mind to be playing in the NBA. What was shocking about Stern's suspension was the flippant power he showed after the suspension was announced. When asked if the decision to suspend Artest for the year was unanimous Stern replied with a smug grin "It was unanimous … 1-0." As heavy as the punishment for the Artest incident was, the authority being flexed by Commissioner Stern on another situation makes the first pale in comparison.

It's interesting that Stern's greatest business achievement in the NBA is also at the forefront of the Jeff Van Gundy issue. Throughout the late 80's and 90's Stern's individual player marketing strategy led the league to great global growth and popularity. Now Van Gundy is questioning the league's alleged desire to want to handcuff the play of one its most marketable stars. During the Houston Rockets' first-round playoff loss to the Dallas Mavericks, Rockets' Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy publicly suggested that the referees were specifically instructed to pay extra attention to Rockets' Centre Yao Ming and call fouls more closely on the 7'6 star. Van Gundy hinted that he received the tip from a NBA referee who isn't working the playoffs. The referee told Van Gundy that a directive from the league was sent down to all the referees, which instructed them to focus specifically on Yao's moving violations. Considering the strict manner in which Stern runs the NBA, the suggestion by one of the league's employees that the NBA is running games in a slanted manner has gone over about as well Tony Soprano finding out that Ralphie killed his beloved horse. Jeff Van Gundy has spoken out against the family and the Godfather is pissed.

Stern has long been accused of running the NBA under a cloak of conspiracy theories dating back to the 1985 draft which saw the most sought after college player at the time, Patrick Ewing fall to the big-market New York Knicks in the first ever lottery formatted entry draft. This conspiracy theory is a little different because there's an alleged internal source at the league that's propagating this rumour. And what's made Stern all the angrier is the fact that Van Gundy will not give up his source.

How has Stern decided to discipline Jeff Van Gundy?

	Withholding his source has left Van Gundy in a precarious position. (Source: AP)

Well, for starters he began with a $100,000 fine - the largest ever of a coach; a discipline measure that Stern has labeled as simply an "intermediate step". Of course by intermediate Stern is implying that they'll be more discipline to follow. He has already threatened to expel Van Gundy from the league and has been quoted as saying in regards to alternatives for discipline, "I don't want to restrict any options that I have."

Be scared Jeff Van Gundy, be very scared. David Stern is not a man that bluffs. Grasping onto Alonzo Mourning's leg will not work on this one. In fact you can bet that the commissioner will live up to his surname when he finishes dealing out the punishment.