David Stern said he intended to find a replacement for outgoing deputy commissioner Russ Granik by the new year, but there still hasn't been an announcement about the NBA's new No. 2 man. Despite that, Stern's No. 3 man, Adam Silver, is seen as having the job locked up, according to sources.
Among some owners, Silver, 43, is viewed as the perfect choice. He has overseen the league's explosive growth overseas and "has the same marketing genes as Stern," one league official said. Silver is already being mentioned as a potential successor to Stern. "He'll be a little Stern clone, in a lot of respects," said a person who has had extensive dealings with both men. "But he won't be as political."