NBA commissioner talks global All-Star game, Kobe and Yao

Silver was also asked about Kobe Bryant's impact on the game's global expansion over the last decade.

"I was in China with him for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. That was amazing the number of people he touched," Silver said of the 18-time All-Star.

"He made a decision that he wanted to get out and about (during the Olympics), the number of events he went to, the amount of time that he takes personally blogging with Chinese companies, directly to Chinese fans that he has a relationship with," Silver added.

The 37-year-old Bryant announced earlier in the season that this will be his final season in the NBA.

To wrap up the media event, the NBA chief was asked about how he managed to convince China's Yao Ming to attend the All-Star Weekend in the middle of the Lunar New Year celebrations.

"I was over in China in October and we invited him then and he said let me check my schedule and I'd love to be here. Honestly, there wasn't much more to it than that," said Silver.

Earlier in the day, Yao served as an honorary coach in a Special Olympics game that featured Special Olympic athletes playing in a demonstration game with former NBA and WNBA players.

"Just an incredible moment, there was Yao coaching on the sidelines and motivating those kids," said Silver. "I mean, that's who he is."

Despite Yao's career having only lasted eight seasons, Silver believes that Yao's global impact on the league could be the most ever.

"He's truly a global basketball icon. I mean, his career was cut short, and I think he didn't achieve everything he wanted to the floor," said Silver.