The Libs Give Up on Adam Silver

A Commissioner Exposed

At House of Strauss we try to catch some items that you otherwise might miss. For example, there’s a big Adam Silver hit piece that’s paywalled and presented with a positive-sounding title. I was shocked by its contents.

It’s a profile of Silver in The Atlantic by Tim Alberta. The article, “ADAM SILVER GOES TO WAR,” includes an interview with the NBA commissioner. Given that the playoffs are happening, the commissioner participated, and the label conveys a flattering “man of action” portrayal, I assumed this was a puff piece. I mean, Silver has been popular for years with this cohort of people who write articles for prestige magazines. What else could this be?

But despite Silver’s participation, and maybe in part because of how that participation happens, the article is withering. I wonder if it surprised the NBA like it did me. Sure, I perceive Adam Silver as an uncertain man who’s terrified to lead, but I didn’t expect to read that take in a glossy mainstream publication. A couple quotes that initially frame its subject.