David Stern calls NBA conspiracies "cheap thrills" on Jim Rome show

David Stern dismissed NBA conspiracies on Thursday during an interview with Jim Rome. (Garrett Ellwood/Getty Images)

NBA Commissioner David Stern and radio host Jim Rome traded shots on Rome's show Thursday, with Rome asking Stern if this years NBA Draft lottery was fixed and Stern responding by asking Rome, "Have you stopped beating your wife yet?"

Stern said to Rome, "shame on you for asking" but Rome said that asking the question is fair because it's on everyone's minds. If the No. 1 pick went to Michael Jordan's Charlotte Bobcats, Stern said people would've been asking whether the commissioner is looking out for Jordan, who Stern calls a "good friend."

The two sides continued to argue, and Rome said he took offense to Stern calling these questions "cheap thrills."

In the interview, which can be heard in its entirety on TheBigLead.com, Rome also addressed comments made by Charles Barkley, who recently said "the worst thing that happened to the world, the entire world, tsunamis, tornadoes, hurricanes, is AAU basketball." Barkley said he never played against Michael Jordan until he arrived to the NBA, but players of more recent generations play against each other as early as 16-years-old or younger.