Rockets center Dwight Howard unwraps ice packs on his legs while speaking with the media.

Rockets center Dwight Howard unwraps ice packs on his legs while speaking with the media.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Rockets shooting guard James Harden talks with the media.

Rockets shooting guard James Harden talks with the media.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin during a team practice in the Philippines.

Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin during a team practice in the Philippines.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin talks with the media.

Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin talks with the media.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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The Rockets take a team photo at the Mall of Asia.

The Rockets take a team photo at the Mall of Asia.

Photo: Jonathan Feigen / Houston Chronicle

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James Harden sees the sights in Manila in the NBA global games mobile.

James Harden sees the sights in Manila in the NBA global games mobile.

Photo: Jonathan Feigen / Houston Chronicle

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Jeremy Lin poses near the Mall of Asia in the Philippines.

Jeremy Lin poses near the Mall of Asia in the Philippines.

Photo: Jonathan Feigen / Houston Chronicle

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Fans in the Philippines react at the sight of the Rockets

Fans in the Philippines react at the sight of the Rockets

Photo: Jonathan Feigen / Houston Chronicle

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James Harden talks with Indiana Pacers forward Paul George on Tuesday.

James Harden talks with Indiana Pacers forward Paul George on Tuesday.

Photo: Jay Directo / AFP/Getty Images

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James Harden (front) looks on as he stretches with teammates during practice on Tuesday.

James Harden (front) looks on as he stretches with teammates during practice on Tuesday.

Photo: Jay Directo / AFP/Getty Images

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Jeremy Lin talks to reporters after practice on Tuesday.

Jeremy Lin talks to reporters after practice on Tuesday.

Photo: Jay Directo / AFP/Getty Images

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Jeremy Lin attempts a shot at practice on Tuesday.

Jeremy Lin attempts a shot at practice on Tuesday.

Photo: Jay Directo / AFP/Getty Images

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James Harden at practice on Tuesday.

James Harden at practice on Tuesday.

Photo: Jay Directo / AFP/Getty Images

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Jeremy Lin is interviewed by a horde of reporters during a break in his team's practice at the Mall of Asia Arena at suburban Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines, on Tuesday.

Jeremy Lin is interviewed by a horde of reporters during a break in his team's practice at the Mall of Asia Arena at suburban Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines, on Tuesday.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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James Harden, center, listens to coach Kevin McHale, left, during their team practice on Tuesday.

James Harden, center, listens to coach Kevin McHale, left, during their team practice on Tuesday.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Dwight Howard shares a laugh with reporters on Tuesday.

Dwight Howard shares a laugh with reporters on Tuesday.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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James Harden puts up a shot at practice on Tuesday.

James Harden puts up a shot at practice on Tuesday.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Jeremy Lin attempts a shot during practice on Tuesday.

Jeremy Lin attempts a shot during practice on Tuesday.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Jeremy Lin laughs during practice on Tuesday.

Jeremy Lin laughs during practice on Tuesday.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Dwight Howard gestures to fans upon arrival at Manila's International Airport on Monday.

Dwight Howard gestures to fans upon arrival at Manila's International Airport on Monday.

Photo: Jay Directo / AFP/Getty Images

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James Harden gestures to fans upon arrival at Manila's International Airport on Monday.

James Harden gestures to fans upon arrival at Manila's International Airport on Monday.

Photo: Jay Directo / AFP/Getty Images

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Fans take photos of Rockets guard James Harden while he waits to get on the bus.

Fans take photos of Rockets guard James Harden while he waits to get on the bus.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Jeremy Lin, second from right, waves to fans upon arrival Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines.

Jeremy Lin, second from right, waves to fans upon arrival Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Jeremy Lin waves to fans after boarding the bus.

Jeremy Lin waves to fans after boarding the bus.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Jeremy Lin waves to fans after boarding the bus.

Jeremy Lin waves to fans after boarding the bus.

Photo: Jay Directo / AFP/Getty Images

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Jeremy Lin gestures to fans while Chandler Parsons, right, looks on.

Jeremy Lin gestures to fans while Chandler Parsons, right, looks on.

Photo: Jay Directo / AFP/Getty Images

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Jeremy Lin waves to fans upon arrival Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines.

Jeremy Lin waves to fans upon arrival Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Jeremy Lin takes photos of fans upon arrival Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines.

Jeremy Lin takes photos of fans upon arrival Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Jeremy Lin takes photos of fans upon arrival Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines.

Jeremy Lin takes photos of fans upon arrival Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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While praising Jeremy Lin and NBA Development League, David Stern takes shot at NCAA

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Asked about the NBA’s role in the development and success of Jeremy Lin, NBA commissioner David Stern drifted into a talk extoling the virtues of the NBA Development League that brought a rebuttal to those critical of NBA rules about young players and ended with an obvious shot at the NCAA.

“You know, the system works,” Stern said. “Jeremy Lin was overlooked. Some people think it was because he was Asian and others think it was because he went to Harvard. The thing I’m equally proud of and its importance will emerge in the future years as the discussions of the NCAA and its relationship with the NBA heat up, we have a full-fledged development league.

“I’m very proud of the development league. It’s working. That march is continuing. The drumbeats I hear about colleges not liking what they refer to one-and-done . We now have a league in the NBA Development League that will accept players that are 18 and will do a better job of educating them than the college programs in which they are.

“Take that.”

NCAA president Mark Emmert had said last month that the issue about paying college athletes is in part caused by the NBA and NFL rules that impose age requirements to turn pro, a point Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany made when saying NCAA sports are not minor leagues for the NBA and NFL.

Stern seemed happy with his rejoinder. After his comment about educating, he looked to two Western reporters in the front row and winked.

“You know, this will be a headline in the U.S. because the world is a very small place,” he said, clearly pleased with his remark. “It doesn’t matter where I say anything, I can get in trouble.”