Great article on ESPN today about allegations that the league fixed Playoff series. Conspiracy theorists globally are feeling vindicated. Personally, I remember Jeff Van Gundy making allegations three years ago that he was told about league plans to fuck the Rockets and Yao Ming. He was fined $100,000 and then mysteriously retracted his allegations. The story disappeared. Until Tim Donaghy corroborated it this week. And then JVG reiterated his claims tonight on national TV, though stopping short of saying he would endorse Donaghy’s claims beyond that particular series. Of course, reading his body language, he was chomping at the bit to say more. Conversely, when ABC showed David Stern’s response, his body language was clearly uncomfortable with the lie he was uttering through forced smiles. That’s just my read. But the truth was in his eyes. You just have to look for it.
Another impugned series by Donaghy? Kings-Lakers 2002. Another oft-complained about series. And surprise, surprise, there were also allegations of favoring star players. Gee, really? In the NBA? What? By the way, someone found our site the other day using the search term “NBA referee steals game.” Yeah. Probably a Laker fan. While I make no excuse for the lameness of some Laker fans, the refereeing was definitely wicked questionable in Game 2. But, expect it to be lopsided the other way in L.A. to ensure a 2-2 split. Because as Donaghy makes clear, and anyone otherwise enlightened can see, the NBA cares more about a long series to ensure TV revenues and happy sponsors than who wins. Of course, that’s assuming both teams have superstars and big markets.
Right. But people will say Donaghy’s a rogue. He’s just trying to save himself. Right. His accusations are so implausible. Bullshit. They’re what most fans think most of the time but have no proof thereof. Which, of course, is the hallmark of a good conspiracy. So such logic says the Finals will start in Game 5. By then the refs, and Stern, won’t care who wins. They will have made their money.
Lol. Not that I believe it, but if you want to see how throwing a game looks… Paul Pierce tonight. I can understand a poor shooting night, whatever. But forgetting how to dribble? Weird…
To be perfectly honest, I have NO idea why I even watch this game when I’m this adamant believing this league has full control of ultimately determining victors. I find it peculiar (rather, comical) how the NBA is the only league to have such little diversity with championship winners. To be honest, it’s a tough game to call and is probably the most error-prone sport to ref, but as we all know (and likely choose to ignore): the NBA is a business. Earning money has, and always will be, its top priority, post-Stern reign (IRON FIST!) and beyond.
China had the appropriate mentality to represent the NBA when they expressed absolute disgust and displeasure with Yi going to Milwaukee, due to the low exposure and fanbase. God forbid Milwaukee wins a ‘chip, because Stern’s not going to earn any money off that.
Eh. Mid-90’s Stern probably said God forbid San Antonio wins it all. I prefer to believe that there is control, but the NBA dictates who wins much, much less than players do themselves. As long as the ratio between ref control and player control is small, I’m happy no matter how much it seems the refs are controlling games.
Then again there’s so much stuff you can point to. Like the Ewing coming out of Georgetown/frozen envelope deal? That was just weird…
Oh hey now, my man P^2 was in foul trouble. mW is all high on Vujajajajaj now (we share the same ethnic heritage– it’s not that I can’t pronounce his name, it’s just that I find it funnier not to do it properly on purpose), but I said, “Yeah, look up his stats from the first two games.” It’d be like having two Pargos. And I love Pargo. I really do. But NO ONE needs two Pargos. “The answer must be jack up threes! Wait, what was the question? Never mind– more thrrrreeeessss!”
P.S. I think ref control extends, in particular, to things like lengthening series. Like someone pressed the Stern Button and said, “This one goes to seven” and who’s to say it didn’t happen naturally? The league has a need to recover from bad ratings. Last year’s finals were bad ratings. NO MATTER HOW GOOD either the Celtics or the Lakers are, anyone who thinks this game will end in less than 6 either way is a fool. So I guess I don’t think the league roots for any one side…. it’s just things like extending a series to the max to make money. Only, if it’s your team that gets screwed, well, too bad.
atthehive, true with San Antonio. Not sure what happened there. And truth be told, Milwaukee HAS won a championship. But since All Hail Mighty Benevolent Leader Stern’s reign, there’s only been one blip (Miami…still pissed about the officiating and overall Mavs play on that one). 7 total teams during a 24 year period (including this year). A case of conspiracy? Maybe. A case of great teams? Maybe too, but it’s booooring nonetheless. Hey, at least there hasn’t been a back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back (8) championship team since 1958.
and ticktock, I think the Stern Button was in immediate effect after last year triggering the whole lop-sided KG trade, later further compounded by Gasol. Immediately these two teams because media darlings (if the trades were made legitimately, then rightfully so), and here they are now. Add all the media love (see: BEST SEASON EVRR!!) and you have an intriguing season full of expected results.
Regarding two Pargos… I’d love to have Jeremy Pargo on our team too. That gives us LITERALLY two Pargos. Vujajajaja
Ticktock, I know PP is apparently a hottie patotti, but being a dish doesn’t excuse 2 for 14. I’m not saying he got paid or threw it, but foul trouble doesn’t turn your fingers to bricks. That’s what I love about Radman. He’s just so consistently beige.
P.S. As much as I think the refs completely ruined game 2 and disregarding how legit any of the trades may have been, I do think these teams are pretty evenly matched and wouldn’t be suprised if they went to seven playing halfcourt calling themselves.
People can’t have bad games? How do you explain Ray Allen forgetting how to shoot jumpers in the Cleveland series? (And he’s not hot, btw. I’ve already said, it’s an inexplicable playoff crush.) Man, that would be like me living in NOLA for however many years and then tomorrow deciding to make this a Knicks blog (run!!! get out while you still can!!)… oh wait, no it wouldn’t because though I grew up in NY, I never liked the Knicks. 2 for 14 is bad, though. I actually didn’t think he even got that many shots. They have to have at least 2/3 of the Big Three functioning to win.
It’s the #1 West vs. the #1 East (the East is weak, but Boston went something like 26-5 against the West this season— yes, the Hornets were one of the vaunted five, while the Lakers were not). The people who expected it not to be a series were delusional.
P.S. Boston = 35%. LA = 43% I didn’t realize it was THAT sloppy a game. Everyone who wasn’t named Kobe, Ray, or Sasha was throwing up mad bricks.
who was this a foul on?
http://i27.tinypic.com/2chuq9e.jpg
When Donaghy said ‘a 2002 playoff series’ I knew immediately he was saying Lakers-Kings. Recall Im a recovered Kings fan. I have a license plate frame for that year (my sole holdover as a Kings fan). They got robbed and it was so blatant. But thats what made me stand up and notice that Donaghy might be telling the truth.
(mW, you probably noticed this too)
Neither Stern nor the refs association were actually denying it, at least from what I saw. Saying why the accuser shouldn’t be taken seriously, had reason to lie to save his butt, etc, is NOT saying it didn’t happen. If there was trukly no truth to what Donaghy was saying, the language used (including body language) would be different.
I may have gone to the Dark Side…
@ Matt: mW noticed. He knew the series when I told him too.
Also, it looked like Van Gundy was visibly restraining himself from being like, “BWAHAHA! I TOLD YOU! I TOLD YOU!” in that interview. The body language from both him and Stern was pretty suspect.
I think my point all along has dovetailed with atthehive’s point. That the ref control is only part of this, and players do control a lot. So why push a game to 7 when one team should win in 5 or 6, and when doing so might actually cause the team that should have lost to win? That may be the players “deciding” it, but it does so in a way that should have been precluded several games prior.
Also, I think you sometimes have to look behind the market, and to the story. San Antonio, referenced above, is a great example. Small market? Maybe. But rabid fan base. David Robinson? One of the “good guys” and an “old guy” looking for a ring. Plus you usher in Timmy as the new savior of basketball. (Also a good guy.) And from there, a dynasty is born. And dammit if the NBA doesn’t love those. Miami is another above referenced Finals team that I think DOES fit. First of all, you have Riles. It’s not the rare teams that stand out in Finals history, but the rare coaches (e.g., Larry Brown, who, although, fits into a familiar franchise, Detroit). Plus, you had Shaq promising a trophy and then delivering (and doing so without Phil or Kobe). And lastly, you have another face of the league in Wade. Perfect coalescing of factors.
The NBA features some of the best athletes in the game. Yet the outcry over this story nationwide (for example, Mike & Mike on ESPN radio this morning stated their inboxes were overflowing regarding the one-day-old story) shows how much people want their experience to be authentic.
The reason I keep harping on refereeing is because Stern wants the issue silenced. Look at what happened to JVG. Only Stern can’t fine me for my comments. As a fan, I feel the league OWES it to me to be honest with their officiating. Having more transparency for how the league handles its officiating and complaints, as suggested last night on ABC by JVG, would be a good start.