BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- David Stern came full circle as he left the draft dais for the last time in his 30-year career as NBA commissioner Thursday night.

Stern came out to announce the final draft pick as NBA commissioner -- for the record, Serbia's Nemanja Nedovic to Phoenix -- and after boos accompanied Stern's previous 29 picks Thursday night (and hundreds of others over prior decades), the Barclays Center crowd this time stood. Cheered. Standing ovation for the man.

"You're ruining all the fun," Stern said to them.

After that, Stern  was joined on the stage by deputy commissioner/next NBA commissioner Adam Silver -- who was roundly booed. A torched passed. Absolutely hilarious.

My ovation to you, Nets and Knicks fans.

And best of all: Hakeem Olajuwon -- donning essentially the same outfit he wore when drafted 30 years ago -- joined the two on stage to bring Stern's career at the draft full circle.

That is cool -- and officially makes this the best NBA draft ever.

If only both men had really gone totally throwback for the occasion and grown out the lip hair.