In the midst of what should be the NBA’s finest hour, The Finals, allegations have surfaced, albeit from a dubious source, that basically say that the NBA is dirty, and that the fish stinks from the head.
Disgraced former NBA referee Tim Donaghy has stated that the pins were set up as far as the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the L.A. Lakers and Sacramento Kings were concerned. The Kings had a sno-cone’s chance in a microwave oven.
Donaghy has hinted strongly that the league wanted this. It needed a series to go seven games. This series was the only one that went the distance that year. That meant more ticket and television revenue. And, it’s so alleged that Shaquille O’Neal was a bigger TV attraction than the Kings’ Vlade Divac.
Before Game 3 of the Finals in Los Angeles, NBA Commissioner David Stern dismissed Donaghy’s assertions as being from a desparate man trying to get a lesser prison sentence.
If one surfs the Internet, the thinking might be different.
Even before the playoffs, bloggers and journalists both have stated that the league and ABC badly wanted a Celtics-Lakers Final. Well Go-LLeeee, lookie what happened in the playoffs.
In Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, the San Antonio Spurs sure appeared to get screwed by a horrible non-call at the end of the game that potentially could have tied the game and sent it into overtime.
Allegations like these have surfaced before. I had always dismissed them as being from disgruntled, malcontented fans who didn’t know what the hell they were talking about. Now I wonder.
It’s bad enough that most of the fun we used to have with sports has been taken away from us. Expensive ticket prices, outrageous salaries, drugs, sleazebag behavior, relocation anxieties, and erratic ownerships have taken a heavy psychological toll on fans, causing many to give up on sports as they get older.
One of the few things we seemed to have leftover from the good earlier days was the officiating. It always appeared to be solid and on the up-and-up. Now there are stains on it. Dark, grimy, slimy, dirty stains.
Officiating is supposed to be above reproach. With these allegations, it now appears to be barely above a roach. The fact that these alleagations were even mentioned in the first place has to make fans wonder. Officiating, especially in the NBA, is obviously NOT above reproach.
Ralph Nader himself, who is not a sports fan, questioned the officiating after the 2002 Western Confernce Final, and wanted a federal investigation into the matter. He was scorned and laughed at. I was one of the laughers. I’m not laughing now.
Perhaps it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have Mr. Nader head an independent committee to investigate these allegations. And to have said committee make recommendations on needed changes and adjustments.
For all of its’ gloss, the NBA is still looking good. But there sure seems to be a peculiar odor coming from it’s direction.
Spring Cleaning Needed at NBA
By Dave GaytanIn the midst of what should be the NBA’s finest hour, The Finals, allegations have surfaced, albeit from a dubious source, that basically say that the NBA is dirty, and that the fish stinks from the head.
Disgraced former NBA referee Tim Donaghy has stated that the pins were set up as far as the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the L.A. Lakers and Sacramento Kings were concerned. The Kings had a sno-cone’s chance in a microwave oven.
Donaghy has hinted strongly that the league wanted this. It needed a series to go seven games. This series was the only one that went the distance that year. That meant more ticket and television revenue. And, it’s so alleged that Shaquille O’Neal was a bigger TV attraction than the Kings’ Vlade Divac.
Before Game 3 of the Finals in Los Angeles, NBA Commissioner David Stern dismissed Donaghy’s assertions as being from a desparate man trying to get a lesser prison sentence.
If one surfs the Internet, the thinking might be different.
Even before the playoffs, bloggers and journalists both have stated that the league and ABC badly wanted a Celtics-Lakers Final. Well Go-LLeeee, lookie what happened in the playoffs.
In Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, the San Antonio Spurs sure appeared to get screwed by a horrible non-call at the end of the game that potentially could have tied the game and sent it into overtime.
Allegations like these have surfaced before. I had always dismissed them as being from disgruntled, malcontented fans who didn’t know what the hell they were talking about. Now I wonder.
It’s bad enough that most of the fun we used to have with sports has been taken away from us. Expensive ticket prices, outrageous salaries, drugs, sleazebag behavior, relocation anxieties, and erratic ownerships have taken a heavy psychological toll on fans, causing many to give up on sports as they get older.
One of the few things we seemed to have leftover from the good earlier days was the officiating. It always appeared to be solid and on the up-and-up. Now there are stains on it. Dark, grimy, slimy, dirty stains.
Officiating is supposed to be above reproach. With these allegations, it now appears to be barely above a roach. The fact that these alleagations were even mentioned in the first place has to make fans wonder. Officiating, especially in the NBA, is obviously NOT above reproach.
Ralph Nader himself, who is not a sports fan, questioned the officiating after the 2002 Western Confernce Final, and wanted a federal investigation into the matter. He was scorned and laughed at. I was one of the laughers. I’m not laughing now.
Perhaps it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have Mr. Nader head an independent committee to investigate these allegations. And to have said committee make recommendations on needed changes and adjustments.
For all of its’ gloss, the NBA is still looking good. But there sure seems to be a peculiar odor coming from it’s direction.
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