It’s not very often that Jim Rome allows any form of reverse psychology to work on him. Today, that happened, as NBA commissioner David Stern fired back at Rome’s famously edgy questioning. Rome broached the subject of the possibility of the NBA Draft Lottery being rigged. The New Orleans Hornets were awarded the No. 1 overall pick when the odds were heavily favored for the NBA-worst, Charlotte Bobcats. It just so happens that the New Orleans Hornets are also owned by the NBA, which raises more questions to the fishy “lottery” selection.

When Rome raised the question, a bothered David Stern threw a blow that not even Rome saw coming. Stern casually asked Rome “Have you stopped beating your wife?” An obviously offended and wounded Jim Rome immediately fires back questioning the motive of the commish.

In Rome’s defense, what David Stern said today is completely out of line. Anybody that is aware of the style of Jim Rome’s interviews should expect some curve balls and they should be intelligent enough to foul them off. For an authority figure that swings as heavy as a hammer that David Stern does, he should have exercised better judgement. If there is no apology issued by Stern in the near future, this statement might very well define the legacy (or lack-there-of) he holds as commissioner of the NBA.  Take a listen for yourself and feel the awkward conversation.