Donaghy: 2002 NBA Playoffs series fixed

Pardon me, but that falls under the definition of "fixing the outcome."

 

So, then, it's only a little fixed!

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Wise advice.

And here's another NBA playoff betting axiom: when in doubt, never bet on that which would result in a shorter series.

That's where there's a real potential conflict, the league has a huge financial interests in seeing as many series as possible go 6 or 7 games. A four game sweep mean millions of dollars lost.

You'll notice the alleged agenda in the Donaghy letter was not to see the Lakers win, but instead to see that the series went seven games. And it seems like a lot of these suspicious games have the result of a longer series.

For example, the funny stuff with D-wade in 06 didn't begin until Game 3 after Dallas had crushed Miami in games 1 and 2 and appeared on their way to a potential sweep. Then the way the games were officiated seemed to dramatically change in game 3--where so much as breathing on Miami's star suddenly became impermissible--and the entire series changed directions.

 

Paging Sen.Spector......

I was amazed at how little coverage the Donaghy story received when it first broke......I wonder how Stern will be able to quash this latest chapter.

 

I agree with the house-cleaning. Stern has overstayed his welcome. There's no good to come of this under the old regime. Stern's bust in the Hall of Fame is assured; he needs only to be provided a graceful exit.

 

That was their shot. I'll be surprised if they ever get back.

If this gets "shot down" it will be a cover-up. No way is this not true.

 

Maybe I'm clueless, but what exactly does Donaghy have to gain by coming forward with this, assuming it's not the truth? I can't see the feds offering him some sort of leniency to bring down others, though I guess it's possible.

 

More prison time?

 

I wondered the same, Boobie. He's already been convicted, so it's not something he can use to plea bargain for lesser charges. I guess it might be able to help him get a lighter sentence, but that seems like quite a stretch to me.

Maybe he was just trying to stick it to Stern & Co. for their scapegoat strategy painting him as the lone rogue bad guy who defiled their otherwise pristine league.

Or could it be that he really is just trying to be cooperative and telling the truth about what he knows?

 

I don't follow the NBA at all, but I have to say it's just amazing that a lot of you -- including at least one NBA beat writer -- believe that the NBA commissioner actively took part in fixing games in order to lengthen series.

I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just saying if true it would be absolutely mind-boggling. Far bigger and more damaging than a commissioner turning a blind eye to steroids.

Where's Judge Kennesaw Mountain Landis when we need him?

 

I'm not at all certain a racist, drunk commissioner is what any sport needs, at this juncture.

 

So I'll ask again: How do you explain the Spurs' dominance of the league the past 10 years? The NBA must just suck at racketeering.