LeBron James sweepstakes good for the league, says David Stern

The uncertainty surrounding the future of LeBron James, the jewel of the upcoming free-agent class, has triggered a sudden resurgence in interest in the NBA, commissioner David Stern said on Wednesday.

Television ratings for Game Three of the NBA Finals on Tuesday were up 14% from the third game of last year's final between Los Angeles and Orlando, and Stern said total ratings for this year''s final are the highest since 2004.

The boost in ratings comes as the possibility that James could leave the Cleveland Cavaliers via free agency dominates conversations in pubs, offices and Internet chat rooms.                                           

"I may be forced to admit that they''re related. The free-agent market increases interest in our game," Stern said during an off-day of the series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.

"It demonstrates how captivated America is by our players and the possibility that the players represent for turning around a team."

In a wide-ranging interview, Stern discussed the league's push internationally and said he was optimistic a new labour agreement could be reached with the union before it expires after the 2010-11 season.

But, for now, the topic of the LeBron James sweepstakes, remains on the league''s front-burner.

A two-times MVP and arguably the NBA''s most dynamic player, the 25-year-old James will become a free agent next month and is rumoured to be considering leaving his longtime home in Cleveland for Chicago, Miami or New York.

While not a fan of NBA players leaving clubs through free agency, Stern has come to terms with the system.                                                                                   

Team game                                       

Stern is also not worried about James and other big-ticket free agents like Miami's Dwyane Wade, Toronto''s Chris Bosh and Atlanta''s Joe Johnson discussing the possibility of landing on the same team.  

"What are they going to do when they get together?" asked Stern. "All of the free agents will get together and admire D-Wade's one ring amongst them?  

"This is a team game and I hope they''re all watching the Lakers and the Celtics and understand these teams were built a player at a time with great coaching and great conditioning. 

"It's about passion, intensity and teamwork. It's about a bench. Teams never get turned around by one player.

"But if they want to talk to each other, that's fine. They're in the same fraternity." 

According to Stern, the NBA will lose about $400 million this year and the league's collective bargaining agreement has to be re-tooled. 

He said the league gave its proposal to the players in January and expect a counterproposal this month.

"We've got a year to go," said Stern, "We have plenty of time. We''re hopeful we''ll be able to make a deal."

As part of its efforts to grow the game internationally, Stern said the NBA has completed clinics in Indonesia, Vietnam and

Singapore and will continue efforts in the off-season in several locations including South Africa.

"(Hall of Famer) Lenny Wilkens is working hard advising Korean basketball. We''ll have exhibition games in Milan, London, Paris and Barcelona. We''re always busy," said Stern.