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Donaghy says refs fixed playoffs; Stern says no
by FOXSports.com
The fix is in?
Tim Donaghy did not mention which series in 2002 was fixed, but the Lakers-Kings Western Conference finals was the only series that fits his allegations. A statistical look at Game 6:
| Game 6 officials: Dick Bavetta, Ted Bernhardt, Bob Delaney | ||
Court documents filed by Donaghy's lawyer detailed the "inner-workings" of a plot in which top league executives used referees to manipulate the games. Donaghy claims two referees were "company men" whose job was to extend a playoff series in 2002 to a seventh game.
NBA commissioner David Stern flatly denied the allegations Tuesday, dismissing Donaghy's accusations as a desperate attempt to ease his sentence.
"My reaction ... is that clearly as the date of sentencing gets closer and the things (Donaghy's) thrown against the wall haven't stuck, he's rehashing a variety of things that have been given to the FBI, have been investigated and are baseless," Stern told reporters.
"He's a singing, cooperating witness trying to get as light a sentence as he can."
The documents did not name the series in question, but the Lakers-Kings Western Conference finals was the only series in 2002 that went to a seventh game, with the Lakers winning both Game 6 and 7 to reach the NBA Finals.
"Personal fouls (resulting in obviously injured players) were ignored even when they occurred in full view of the referees," the document says of the unnamed series. "Conversely, the referees called made-up fouls on Team 5 in order to give additional free throw opportunities to Team 6."
Two players from Team 5 fouled out in the game, the document said, and the "referees' favoring of Team 6 led to that team's victory that night." Team 6 also went on to win Game 7 of the series, according to the document.
The Lakers trailed the Kings three games to two in 2002 when Los Angeles rallied to win each of the final two games and eventually went on win the NBA championship. Key Kings big men Vlade Divac and Scot Pollard both fouled out in Game 6.
Shaquille O'Neal scored 41 points and pulled down 17 rebounds against the Kings in Game 6, and drew most of the fouls that sent Divac and Pollard out of the game.
"Our big guys get 20 fouls tonight and Shaq gets four? You tell me how the game went," Kings coach Rick Adelman said after the game, according to SportsTicker. "It's just the way it is. Obviously, they got the game called the way they wanted to get it called."
"I knew before the game I'd be out of it," Divac added. "(O'Neal) went out (on fouls) up there (in Sacramento). It had to be the same down here."
Lakers coach Phil Jackson, speaking with reporters before Tuesday's Game 3 of the NBA Finals, stressed the need to wait for proof before any judgments are made, but was not shy to offer a low opinion of the officiating in the 2002 series.
"Was that after the fifth game, after we had the game stolen away from us on a bad call?" he said, referring to a game-changing play by Kings guard Mike Bibby in the final moments.
The letter doesn't name anyone involved. Donaghy's attorney and prosecutors have declined to comment. The league said the scandal was limited to Donaghy and two co-defendants, both former high school classmates who also pleaded guilty to gambling charges.
"The NBA remains vigilant in protecting the integrity of our game and has fully cooperated with the government at every stage of its investigation," Richard Buchanan, NBA executive vice president and general counsel, said in a statement. "The only criminal activity uncovered is Mr. Donaghy's."
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Larnell McMorris, a spokesman for the NBA referees union, said in a statement that Donaghy "has had honesty and credibility issues from the get-go."
Donaghy also claims that a 2005 playoff series was improperly influenced, saying that referees were instructed to call illegal screens more strictly on a particular player after an opposing owner called to complain after falling behind 2-0 in the series.
Though the document again does not name anyone specifically, Mark Cuban did complain to the league that year about the officiating after his Mavericks fell behind 2-0 in their series with Houston. Dallas went on to beat the Rockets in seven games.
Then-Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy claimed at the time that an official — who was not working the playoffs — informed him of the plan.
"I didn't think that really worked in the NBA, but in this case it has," Van Gundy told reporters after the fourth game of the series, according to USA Today. He was later fined $100,000, a record sum for a coach.
The document also described other alleged infractions, including league officials telling referees that they should withhold calling technical fouls on certain star players because doing so hurt ticket sales and television ratings."
Donaghy also said refs broke league rules by routinely fraternizing with players, coaches and team management and that the resulting inappropriate relationships may have influenced the outcomes of games. He claims one general manager in 2004 made a game-day phone call to referees to encourage them to call more personal fouls against an opponent.
Donaghy claims referees have accepted autographs, merchandise and meals from team representatives. He said one official used a team's facility to exercise and another played tennis with an NBA coach.
The veteran referee pleaded guilty last year to felony charges alleging he took cash payoffs from gamblers and bet on games. He faces up to 33 months in prison.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Member Comments
why not an investigation by the nba? to stern its cut and dry...i hope he gets his ...again no investigation by the nba on its own cheating...seems mysterious .... I read some similar articles at <br />"B l a c k W h i t e K i s s . c 0 M", you may know it recently becomes the most popluar community for meeting black beauties and white men, with hot black or white hotties' photos and many cute girls waitting for u...
ollivsiilmie6/15/2008 6:16:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Stern needs to step down. He may have globalized the NBA but he has made it into the Nation Mafia League. Look at all the illegal action going on; Drugs, Guns, Hookers, and Gambling. It is more fun to read about all the allegations and arrests than to watch the slow paced, boring games. The league has it fixed where only large media market teams will win the NBA title. I bet the Stern has fixed the finals this year to try to bring back th glory days of Magic and Bird. Stern has gained control of who wins the finals but he has lost governmental control of the league and its players. It is time for the NBA to only allow players to enter the draft after their junior year in college or in international players cases after they turn 21 years of age. It is also time to widen and lenthen the court. The players today make the court look tiny. Changes are need because the pro game is losing its luster. The only reason that the ratings are high is because of the economy. Nothing is on television this time of year and no one has money to do anything. STERN STEP DOWN NOW before you ruin the league. Bring back the ABA.
JTPII6/15/2008 6:12:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
is this the wwa or nba, is their a difference. drugs may not be as previlent as nfl of mlb but gambaling is king. and stern is the most corrupt boss of any sport. if he were a union man he would be jimmy hoffa.
crazyoldman6/15/2008 1:01:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
80% og 150000 people say fixed hunh??? everybody and they mama remember dat game.....come on STERN....you know what you did that summer!!!!!!!!
spodeo6/14/2008 21:45:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I've known the NBA is rigged for 10 years. I can't believe it's taken so long for everyone to come around on this...but I"m supremely happy that it's finally happening.<br /><br />It's a joke. Sterns a corrupt son of a #$#$&*(, and has ruined the game. <br /><br />Superstars go to the line 20-30 times per night. The trades that happened to put Boston and LA in the finals this year. Come on. Gasol going to LA for a bag of chips, Garnet, Allen, Fisher the baby bailing out of his contract with the Jazz because LA needed another good player to make it.<br /><br />In 2004 William Davidson's teams won the Stanley Cup, the WNBA finals and NBA championship all in the same year. Was it coincidence they are all owned by the same guy? Don't think so. <br /><br />During the finals you could see the refs turn on Kobe Bryant like a pack of ravenous wolves (and I hate Kobe, so I was happy about it). The series before he was untouchable, then as soon as the finals started he was getting pummeled by the Pistons and not a single foul was called. <br /><br />Honestly, how obvious can they be? Of course the corrupt Stern and Davidson were doing the dark backroom dealings make it all happen. <br /><br />Stern runs the NBA like a Nazi, slapping fines on players and coaching for complaining about the obvious corruption. If he was interested in fair play he wouldn't play God and try to shut up every comment that is made.<br /><br />I can't want for him to be sent to prison and get the NBA back to a game thats fun to watch again.
beachcommission6/14/2008 20:57:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
The NBA is in cahoots with the refs. How else would the NBA allow the refs to continually give stars special treatment over non-stars? Why would the refs be interested in star treatment and how would the refs benefit from it personally? Are the refs merely doing what they are instructed to do? It is the NBA that benefits and are no doubt creating a conflict of interest between calling games fairly and earning a profit for the league. If the NBA were sincere, it would have cleaned up its star treatment long ago.
raspberryleaves6/14/2008 14:54:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
. If the NBA were sincere, it would have cleaned up its star treatment long ago.
raspberryleaves6/14/2008 14:48:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Kings got boned... Show your support:<br /><br />kings2002wcchamps.com<br /><br />for news regarding the 2002 playoff series, official statements, and other information regarding the series. We're also selling t-shirts, giving credit where clearly it is due...<br /><br />-a Kings' fan
Kings2002WCChamps6/13/2008 14:41:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Stern is so incompetent he can't even fix games consistantly.
hp17026/12/2008 21:52:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Not sure I can see how the refs fixed tonight's game...wow what a turn around! Celtics in 6!
Texas_Gent6/12/2008 21:04:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Back in 1984, former Celtic Larry Bird accused the new NBA Commissioner, David Stern, of rigging games. <br /><br />It was after Game 6 of the 1984 NBA Finals. Bird had had a legendary game: 28 points, 14 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 blocks. The Celtics were leading by double figures late in the third quarter. At that stage, the referees tightened their calls against the Celtics, which allowed L.A. to turn on Showtime, and thereby force Game 7. <br /><br />Bird said to reporters, "Stern told a fan that the NBA needed a seven-game series, that the league needed the money. When the commissioner makes a statement like that to a fan, you know it's going to be tough. When Stern makes a statement like that, things are going to happen. You just don't make statements like that and not expect anything out of it. He's the commissioner and he shouldn't be saying anything like that. The NBA wanted a seventh game because they wanted to make more money and they got their wish. There is no reason for me to lie. He said it. He's a man and he'll live up to it. He may say he said it in jest. But I'm out there trying to make a living and win a championship."<br /><br />Stern never denied Bird?s allegations. He avoided the media, refused to let anyone know his whereabouts, and made a curious statement through assistant commissioner Brian McIntyre. ?David said Bird's comment is ridiculous. Like every fan in America, he has been looking forward to a seventh game. It's a dream matchup, and everybody has wanted to see a seven-game series since Day 1.?<br /><br />Bird was never fined and the team suffered no immediate adverse consequences. Red Auerbach, who had taken Stern?s measure early on, disliked him, often criticized his decisions, and constantly called him ?stupid? to his face.<br /><br />What effect did Bird?s comments have? Before Game 7, coach Pat Riley guaranteed a Laker victory. ?It's destiny?, Riley said, ?I believe in the Fates, and I think it's our time. I think the script is written for us to win." <br /><br />Officials called 28 fouls on the Celtics, 51 fouls on the Lakers. Celtics won 111-102.<br /><br />After the game, Tommy Heinsohn said, ?I think Bird said those things to get the refs on his side.?
Mikzor6/12/2008 16:45:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
David Stein - needs to be dismissed as the commissioner of NBA. For this Game fixing the congresss need to look into this and NBA owner should have a meeting and elect a new commissioner. David Stein has been a commission for far to long and NBA needs a new voice and that is not David Stein
steveGmail6/12/2008 13:41:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Cowherd today on the radio made sure to defend the NBA...and bring on guests who defended the NBA. Go figure.<br /><br />Of course ESPN alalyst are going to squash the conspiracy talk...they're in bed with the NBA. But if you think that us fans are dumb enought to believe Stern, you're crazy.<br /><br />Anyone who saw that game 6 b/w the Lakers and Kings knows it was shady. And Yao Ming got the shaft in that series against Dallas. The only reason Van Gundy is going easy on the allegations now is because he WORKS for the NBA...this isn't rocket science people.<br /><br />It's a joke...basketball games can easily be altered by referees. It's getting old.<br /><br />Anyone who is defending the NBA's integrity is getting their paychecks from Stern.
preki6/12/2008 12:53:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
My response to this story is one of concern over David Sterns reaction to the alligations. To have an arroogant smirk and smile on his face while discussing someting as serious as this scandel is for his league is shows it is time for Mr Stern to leave the NBA. His arrogant attitude for the past few years is killing the league. What he needs to understand is that Donaghy has nothing tho lose he is already going to jail. I think Stern is making a mistake if he thinks this is just some guy trying to save face and doesn't take this seriously. The situation in Seattle should have the Commish concerned as well as he could be in for some real legal battle up there. It seems he may have been a bit too close to the new owners and it will be interesting to see how that unfolds.<br />Mr. Stern do not let your arrogance make you stupid. Your league is in real danger and you are responsible wheter you like iot or not. Wake up and smell what you are shoveling dude because it stinks.
RAMFAN426/12/2008 12:21:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
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Ifkada6/12/2008 11:04:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
How does Stern keep his job? Who can fire him?
Stro6/12/2008 11:02:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Response to voodoo_chyl:<br /><br />Explaining the Spurs at the top:<br />I believe it's because Stern likes to reward new stadium deals. The Spurs won't be at the top for long now. Who knows, in a couple years Stern will want more money from San Antonio or they'll be gone somewhere also.
dweebs6/12/2008 10:32:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
there is more money in tv and 7 game series and all the drama the nba creates than an market teams...a seven game series is far more profitable than the big market teams
jw566/12/2008 10:16:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
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