When the late NBA commissioner David Stern puts his mind to something, he will get it done by any means necessary. If that involved dishing out threats to some of the wealthiest people in the world, so be it.
That's precisely what happened during February 1992, months after Magic Johnson publicly announced he had contracted HIV. Magic subsequently retired after that press conference, but his name was somehow included on the All-Star Game ballot. He ended up being the top vote-getter without playing a single game.
The Los Angeles Lakers guard was not supposed to be anywhere near an NBA court, but Stern made sure the script included one more chapter for Magic.
Fans who are familiar with Stern knew that he ran the league like a mob boss. He never cared if he was called a dictator, and perhaps, the former lawyer and business executive preferred it that way. To him, power was not something to apologize for, but a tool he could use to achieve what he thought was good for the NBA.
At that time, Stern was hellbent on giving the spotlight to the league's brightest star over the past decade or so. It would be the ultimate feel-good story, and of course, it would stir up phenomenal fan interest. Stern got it done by hook or by crook.
"I think the most underrated moment of David Stern's career was this moment, Pablo," retired NBA columnist Jackie MacMullan told Pablo Torre on "Pablo Torre Finds Out," referring to the 1992 All-Star game incident. "Because the minute he learned of his diagnosis, he did what David Stern always did. David Stern learned more about it than anybody else."
According to MacMullan, Johnson first presented the idea of playing in the All-Star Game to Stern. Because Stern did his homework and studied the nuances of the virus transmission, he warmed up to the idea. The only problem, and a massive one at that, was that the NBA owners were against it.
"He's understands that all these ways that people think HIV can be transmitted are not really true. It's not sweat to sweat. It's an infinitesimal chance of that happening and so, he's gonna make sure this occurs," MacMullan explained. "Now, immediately, NBA owners are saying, 'We're not signing off on this. We're not putting our star players at risk. We're not doing it.'"
"Stern said to them privately: 'Listen, I'm just gonna tell you. Just be ready for a discrimination suit because I'm gonna encourage them to file a discrimination suit if you say no to this. Be ready for that. Are you ready for HIV mandatory testing in the NBA? Are you convinced that Earvin "Magic" Johnson is the only person that's HIV positive in the NBA? Because I'm not,'" the long-time columnist concluded.
And just like that, Magic played in the All-Star game and put on a show. He won the MVP award after scoring 25 points and dishing out nine assists. He hit three 3-pointers over the last few minutes, including one over good friend Isiah Thomas.
Love him or hate him, Stern was not someone who dealt in half measures. He went all in and was so ruthless that NBA ownersーyes, the wealthiest people in the USー cowered in his presence.
When owners and players figured in a standstill in 2011 that led to a lockout, Stern famously told everyone present: "I know where the bodies are buried in the NBA, because I put some of them there."
Even Derrick Rose , who heard the commissioner blurt those words out, was impressed. Sure, it was a complete shock for the then-reigning MVP to hear that, but it just shows Stern was ready to do what he had to do to protect the league. And the most remarkable thing was that he was unapologetic about it.
Many bristled at his methods, that's for sure. But you had to admire the man for moving the league forward, even if it meant making the uncomfortable choices.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Feb 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
