Ref’s Allegations Rock the NBA

by Tommy Dee on June 11th, 2008 at 12:45 pm

Disgraced ex-ref Tim Donaghy admitted yesterday some things that I’ve always speculated on, going back to the Knicks/Bulls battles of the early 90s, that the league is more about marketing than it is a competitive entity.

“Tim gave information on how top executives of the NBA sought to manipulate games using referees to boost ticket sales and television ratings,” lawyer John Lauro wrote in a letter to Brooklyn federal Judge Carol Bagley Amon, detailing how his client has cooperated with feds since being busted last year.

Donaghy, a compulsive gambler who bet on games he officiated and provided inside tips to his partners, pleaded guilty last August to wire fraud and gambling.

The games in question appear to be the 2002 Western Conference Final between the Lakers and the Sacramento Kings, as well as the Rockets/ Mavs series from a few years back. Then- Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy shocked the world by revealing a conversation he had with an NBA official, who told him the league wanted the refs to treat Yao a certain way with their whistles.

Needless to say, I’ve always been a believer that superstars get the benefit of calls, and I don’t have much of a problem with that, but when the decision is made prior to the game and the outcome is based solely on the best ratings, it waters down the play on the floor.

Why play the games at all?

And that is a tragic thing for the game, since it takes the outcome away from the players, and leaves it up to the officials. Now you can understand why players bitch at every call, they are frustrated and confused by them.

It’s been a tumultuous time for David Stern, a brilliant businessman, who has always faced criticism with hair trigger and sarcastic responses. But, without question, has made the league into a superpower and continually exhibits brilliant marketing strategies- this being one of them.

As smart as it is, it’s also dishonest at the most elementary level.

He can deny these allegations all he wants, but Donaghy has little to lose, since he already faces years of jail time.

In fact,

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, and it’s easy to see why, he must have known this bombshell was going to drop.

This is something that REALLY bothers me, as I am a fan at the most basic levels, but can recall game after game against Jordan’s Bulls thinking we were playing 5 on 8.

This is yet another black eye for the league, if you believe this to be true.

Unfortunately I do, and always have.
  • theghostofwillisreed

    after this year’s stanley cup final, i wouldn’t be surprised to see the nhl make a big tim comeback in the us’ consciousness within the next three years. how great do you think gary “the rat” bettman would feel one-upping his former boss in stern?

    by the way, tommy: when do we get a rangers blog going?

  • http://www.theknicksblog.com/2008/06/12/jvg-feels-vindicated/ The Knicks Blog » JVG Feels Vindicated

    [...] wanting to add any fuel to the fire that rocked the NBA yesterday, former Knicks and Rockets head coach-turned broadcaster Jeff Van Gundy spoke to the Daily News [...]

  • http://www.theknicksblog.com/2008/07/29/tommy-dee-talks-donaghyfan-reaction-on-cnn/ The Knicks Blog » Tommy Dee Talks Donaghy/Fan Reaction on CNN

    [...] a few months ago, I felt it was important to get a feel from the fans just how signifcant an impact the Donaghy situation was on the league. Donaghy, of course, will be sentenced [...]