Stern lauds Jordan, Silver, others for social stands

Former NBA commissioner David Stern was not surprised by Michael Jordan's public stand Monday in which he spoke out against violence and donated $2 million to African-American community and police efforts.

"Michael feels deeply about social issues," Stern told The Undefeated's Jerry Bembry. "It's too bad we live in a society that's so polarizing. Everything that's going on is a shock to our system."

Jordan had been criticized by some throughout his NBA and post-playing career - perhaps unfairly - for not speaking on certain social issues. At the same time, others have routinely credited him for using actions rather than words. Stern said NBA players have always had the green light to speak out, and in today's troubled political climate he applauds the recent efforts of current stars like Carmelo Anthony.

"We've always encouraged our players to speak their minds," Stern told Bembry. "That's what the NBA does, that's what our teams do."

Stern stepped down after 30 years as league commissioner in January 2014. Within three months, his successor Adam Silver faced a crisis with racial undertones - offensive audio recordings of former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling that were made public.

Silver was lauded for his swift decisiveness on the issue, banning Sterling for life and overseeing the sale of the team. Then just last week, Silver and the NBA pulled this coming season's All-Star weekend from Charlotte over the state of North Carolina's controversial HB2 law.

"I'm proud of Adam Silver," Stern said of his former protege. "That was anti-gay legislation. It cheapens the conversations to say it was about bathrooms."