NBA Commissioner David Stern says he doesn?t think the Kobe Bryant drama that is being played out in Eagle, Colorado and Los Angeles, California is heroic.

"I think I'm looking at it and saying that it's clear to me that he's using basketball to sort of keep a certain focus in his life, and it's available for him to do that,? Stern said.  "It's amazing that, given his travel schedule, that he's able to perform at the level he has."

Stern did express concern however.  "I think that we would hope our young men aren't in those situations.  And it's troubling to see that. But there's been an accusation and that's what the system is about and I respect the system and even its need to go forward, regardless of our playoff schedule, and I think that his ability to tie the two together is quite something, to see him do that."