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Foul Called in Officiating of 2002 NBA Playoff Game

By TChris, Section Crime in the News
Posted on Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 10:36:45 PM EST
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Former NBA ref Tim Donaghy, awaiting sentence on charges of conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting betting information through interstate commerce, alleges in a letter to the court that NBA referees extended the 2002 Lakers-Kings Western Conference finals to seven games to maximize NBA revenues.

NBA commissioner David Stern vehemently denied the allegations, saying they are the desperate act of a convicted felon. He also disclosed that the league has already briefed members of the U.S. Congress on certain facets of the Donaghy investigation.

Expect Congress to halt work on substantive issues so that emergency hearings can address the latest scandal in the world of professional sports.

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    Foul Called in Officiating of 2002 NBA Playoff Game | 15 comments (15 topical)

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    Ugh. (5.00 / 0) (#3)
    by Esme on Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 11:19:53 PM EST
    Expect Congress to halt work on substantive issues so that emergency hearings can address the latest scandal in the world of professional sports.

    The sad thing is, that's probably what's going to happen.

    Actually, I'm not sure it shouldn't (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by dianem on Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 11:22:33 PM EST
    This isn't about a few players taking steroids (yes, steroid's are bad... but a federal offense?). This is allegations of massive fraud being perpetrated by a cartel.

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    Lord knows. they have to protect the (none / 0) (#1)
    by Rhouse on Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 10:57:18 PM EST
    American betor - ah Voter from the evils of congress actually using its' oversight powers on anything of importance.

    That should read bettor (none / 0) (#2)
    by Rhouse on Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 10:58:17 PM EST


    Parent
    and that would be why we have the (none / 0) (#5)
    by cpinva on Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 11:29:43 PM EST
    This is allegations of massive fraud being perpetrated by a cartel.

    FBI and DOJ. there are already laws on the books to deal with this sort of thing. for that matter, any state that has an NBA team can have their very own AG start an investigation, congress needn't be involved at all.

    this is, of course, of far greater import to the country than our troops being killed and wounded daily in iraq and afghanistan.

    I don't think the NBA is rigged Kaiser Soze style, (none / 0) (#6)
    by mulletov cocktails on Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 11:35:20 PM EST
    but i think odds are heavily tilted to give certain teams a preference.

    Look at this year's finals.  

    The league ignores the Celtic's tanking games to get into the lottery, and they magically pull off trades that constructs an All Star Team.

    Oh and the lakers complete a trade for the most desired seven foot beast outside of KG and Dirk for nothing??

    Yes, the NBA is shady.  But the NFL and MLB put basketball to shame.  

    this is why I now prefer college sports (none / 0) (#7)
    by Shahryar on Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 11:58:52 PM EST
    and even college is suspect. Maybe it's time to start watching Little League games.

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    Was this (none / 0) (#8)
    by Steve M on Wed Jun 11, 2008 at 12:06:24 AM EST
    the same Kings-Lakers series that Ralph Nader famously complained about?

    It is! (none / 0) (#9)
    by rjarnold on Wed Jun 11, 2008 at 01:26:40 AM EST
    I did a search and found an article about it.

    http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Articles/BacherNaderNBA.htm

    It's not just Nader, but many sports commentators and fans also thought that the officiating was horrible. And if the Lakers wouldn't have won that game, they would have lost the series, and there would have been a different champion.

    Parent

    Yes, see the post's third link, paragaph #8 (none / 0) (#10)
    by cymro on Wed Jun 11, 2008 at 01:26:46 AM EST


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    How do you spell National Basketball Association? (none / 0) (#11)
    by clapclappointpoint on Wed Jun 11, 2008 at 02:26:35 AM EST
    W-W-E

    qwatz (none / 0) (#12)
    by 2liberal on Wed Jun 11, 2008 at 04:05:10 AM EST
    Expect Congress to halt work on substantive issues so that emergency hearings can address the latest scandal in the world of professional sports.

    they should just to make sure the refs don't conspire to rob the Celtics of their rightful victory and extend out the series to maximize NBA profits (this is a series they will want to go seven games for sure)

    :)

    Screw substantive issues (none / 0) (#13)
    by nacewsey on Wed Jun 11, 2008 at 06:11:39 AM EST
    I want the NBA to be legit. I'm a huge fan.

    We need this guy now!!! (none / 0) (#14)
    by Paladin on Wed Jun 11, 2008 at 12:36:10 PM EST
    As a long time Laker fan, we need this guy back in uniform to help them again against the Celtics :)

    The only chance the lakers have (none / 0) (#15)
    by Eternalvision4all on Wed Jun 11, 2008 at 04:59:40 PM EST
    I was a skeptic when it came to Stern and his magic wand, until this year's pre-ordained Celtic-Lakers finals.  The pathetic game last night couldn't hold a candle to the Magic vs. Bird era.  Celtics in six, because Kobe has rings and the aging big three in green don't.  

    Parent
    Foul Called in Officiating of 2002 NBA Playoff Game | 15 comments (15 topical)

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