I read a story on CBSsports.com today that claims that the NBA is one big conspiracy. Playoff series are fixed, star players are given special treatment and the outcome of games are controlled in a way to maximize profits. A friend at work and I often talk about sports in general, but basketball most often. He has a passion for the game. A deeper passion than anybody I know and a wisdom and knowledge for the sport of basketball than any of the talking heads on the air (both on TV and the radio). He truly should be a host of a daily talk show on the NBA. To say that he has a finger on the pulse of the NBA is an understatement. So after reading this article, I posed the question to him "Is it true?" fully expecting him to rip it to pieces, this is what I got:
It's tuff to say if it's true and how much of it is true. Everyone knows the star players get calls in this league. It's the same in every sport, at every level, and it's been that way for some time. To be honest with you, it's not a big deal and I don't think it changes the outcomes of games. Now, the whole rigging playoff series is a whole other allegation all together. I don't want to believe it, but a part of me has thought it for about 5 years now. I think the refs do dictate the outcomes of games. Whether it's because they are gambling on them or they are getting paid to call it a certain way or the league itself is telling them to call the game a certain way. Look at this series. In game 3 the Lakers shot more free throws in the first 6 minutes of the game than the entire game 2 in Boston. Leon Powe played 15 minutes in game 2 and shot more free throws than the entire Laker team. That is truly unbelievable. Sure the Lakers were being a little more aggressive in game 3, but you tend to be more aggressive when the refs keep giving you the calls. I was sitting there watching the game last night and at least ten times I saw a play and said to myself...."That's not a foul in Boston" or "They call that the other way in Boston". I understand the home team gets the benefit of the doubt at home, but when one team gets every close call it will dictate the game. Like game 2, where Boston shot 28 more free throws than LA. That's how Atlanta beat Boston 3 times in the 1st round. Atlanta shot 15 more free throws in game 4 and 22 more free throws in game 6.
But going back to those original allegations, the series in question is the Houston vs. Dallas series in 2005. Van Gundy himself said that he was told by an NBA official that the refs were gonna call the game a certain way. It truly is tragic, but we must come to realization that pro sports is purely a business these days. The purity and integrity of pro sports has been replaced by the hunger and greed for money.
At the end of the day, most NBA refs are immoral, bitter men with huge egos. Years ago they were under investigation for tax fraud because they were exchanging their 1st class airplane tickets for couch and pocketing the money. Plus they are in the spotlight big time. Think about how many refs you know by name or by face. We shouldn't know them at all. I leave you with this..... Refs are people who weren't good enough to play and weren't smart enough to coach.
But going back to those original allegations, the series in question is the Houston vs. Dallas series in 2005. Van Gundy himself said that he was told by an NBA official that the refs were gonna call the game a certain way. It truly is tragic, but we must come to realization that pro sports is purely a business these days. The purity and integrity of pro sports has been replaced by the hunger and greed for money.
At the end of the day, most NBA refs are immoral, bitter men with huge egos. Years ago they were under investigation for tax fraud because they were exchanging their 1st class airplane tickets for couch and pocketing the money. Plus they are in the spotlight big time. Think about how many refs you know by name or by face. We shouldn't know them at all. I leave you with this..... Refs are people who weren't good enough to play and weren't smart enough to coach.
After reading that article, I believe the worse it yet to come. People are going to take this story and run with it (Just wait until congress gets involved, and they will). Pro sports has turned into entertainment for hire. As much as we want to believe that the little guy has a chance, the deep pockets of whoever is concerned is going to conquer. I think that championships particularly in basketball are guided. For example, a Boston/LA series is just what the public wanted to see. Stern and company benefited HUGE from this. Don't misunderstand, both Boston and LA are terrific teams. but the image of the league that is portrayed in an Garnett/Kobe match up is what dreams are made of. That is what the fans wanted and Stern obliged. Is this a bad think? Only if you still believe that integrity is important in pro sports and you love the game for its purity and competition. Otherwise, its all about the money/matches. Stern is a shrewd businessman and has assured the monetary success of his business.
Stern was pretty arrogant when he proclaimed that Tim Donaghy was the lone bad apple. He tried to dismiss the whole situation. There is no hiding it now. It doesn't stop at the referee. The trail leads all the way to the top of NBA management. I think now we are understanding why Stern acted the way he did. He himself was aware of everything that was going on. Conspiracy Theory? Nope! Try Conspiracy Action! Move over WWE! I believe that the NBA will have a new commissioner by the time all this is over.
3 comments:
Well, I've been telling you this for years now and I can't believe I was right. Seriously though, it keeps you a little more sane when you watch a game and know it is fixed instead of getting all worked up about the refs being blind.
Yeap, there needs to be change. They be holdin' down the purple and orange for too long. :)
I agree, Stern has shown a lot of ignorance. If he would just show a little transparency and humility. Doesn't he remind you a little of our current president in this regard?
Post a Comment