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[Teddman]

Finally! Remember Game 6 of the Lakers-Kings Western Conference Finals in 2002, wherein the Lakers shot 27 fourth quarter free-throws? Sure did cause a huge sh*tstorm in the Playoff thread here at the time, and I KNEW that damn game was fixed for the Lakers. They called a foul on the Kings when Kobe elbowed a guy in the face and drew blood, for Pete's sake.

Here's the smoking gun:

NBA referee says games tainted by fraternizing, series fixed

By TOM HAYS – 1 hour ago

NEW YORK (AP) — NBA referees, influenced by cozy relationships with league officials, rigged a 2002 playoff series to force it to a revenue-boosting seven games, a former referee at the center of a gambling scandal alleged Tuesday...

In one of several allegations of corrupt refereeing, Donaghy said he learned in May 2002 that two referees known as "company men" were working a best-of-seven series in which "Team 5" was leading 3-2. In the sixth game, he alleged the referees purposely ignored personal fouls and called "made-up fouls on Team 5 in order to give additional free throw opportunities for Team 6."

"Team 6" won the game and came back to win the series, the letter said.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hS3sRBxzqMNDpuu9I32UWisA_-9gD917I0K00

That would be this game, the only series that went seven games in 2002 NBA playoffs:

2002 Western Conference Finals

On the court, the games between the two teams were definitely intense, culminating in the 2002 NBA Western Conference Finals, which featured Robert Horry's famous last-second three-pointer to beat the Kings in Game 4, a 1 point Kings win off of a Bibby field goal in the waning seconds of Game 5, a controversial Game 6 where the Lakers shot 27 fourth quarter free-throws resulting in a narrow Laker win, and finally a Game 7 with 19 lead changes and 16 ties producing a Lakers overtime win on the road. Many consider the series to be among the most exciting and entertaining in recent NBA history. However, referee Tim Donaghy has indicated that the referees in the series cheated by calling fouls in favor of LA in the series in order for the Lakers to win. He says that it was a direct order from the NBA to throw the series in favor of the Lakers.

 

[Foreign Jackass]

this is huge

 

[Tamanon]

To be fair, it's not confirmed based on someone who's involved in a plea deal, but it certainly looks bad.

 

[BakedPigeon]

Nothing is confirmed or official, I watched ESPNEWS for like half an hour and this is all they were talking about. It certainly leads to something of interest and they need to do some investigating, but for the most part that referee has major credibility problems.

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

A lot of fans remember that game.

 

[Teddman]

They flat out robbed the Kings of a championship. The "company men" officials for that game were Bob Delaney and Ted Bernhardt and Dick Bavetta.

 

[Karakand]

Hard to really decide who to trust, a corrupt league or a guy trying to save his skin.

 

[BakedPigeon]

They flat out robbed the Kings of a championship.

Ya a couple NBA analyst's said flat out that was the worst refereed game of all time. I just think it's interesting how he brings this to attention as soon as he is close to sentencing for the criminal acts he committed.

 

[Drakeon]

Holy shit! I always felt like the Kings were robbed, but never actually thought there was legitimate corruption.

 

[dabig2]

It's not confirmed, but a good majority of fans who watched that game would definitely not be surprised.

In fact, that's a good reason to deny the story. The guy could've just looked at the most ill-called, bullshit game of the past decade and made up how the game had to be fixed.

 

[Teddman]

Hard to really decide who to trust, a corrupt league or a guy trying to save his skin.

If you watch the game, it's not really hard to decide. They weren't subtle about it, the slanted officiating was actually pretty brazen.

Ya a couple NBA analyst's said flat out that was the worst refereed game of all time. I just think it's interesting how he brings this to attention as soon as he is close to sentencing for the criminal acts he committed.

Obviously, at this point he's trying to do damage to the league and take them down with him or cut a deal. I think it's a case of having more to gain by telling the truth than by remaining quiet.

 

[LiveFromKyoto]

It's 100% confirmed and official for anybody who actually watched that game.

Scott Pollard stands stock-still, arms in the air, Shaq takes two steps into him, lowers his shoulder, Pollard doesn't budge, foul on Pollard.

Kobe elbows Christie in the head with a ref staring right at him, no call.

I'm sorry, there is no way on God's green Earth that game wasn't fixed. No entire officiating crew who'd been refereeing at the professional level for years could have suddenly become that retarded all at once.

I was even cheering for the Lakers in that series, but as I was watching it I realized "holy shit, this isn't just star calls, the NBA is fixing games!"

I still love the NBA, still watch it, but I think a scandal like this needs to happen, for them to stop doing this stuff. Does anybody honestly believe the Dwyane Wadeathon in the finals a couple of years ago had no executive hand behind it?

Next up: the NFL...

 

[Captain Glanton]

They flat out robbed the Kings of a championship. The "company men" officials for that game were Bob Delaney and Ted Bernhardt and Dick Bavetta.

Oh shit.

I used to ride to school with him. He was a family friend before his reffing career took off.

 

[Green Shinobi]

LOL. Donaghy says this? He has zero credibility.

Also, the Kings shot more free throws than the Lakers across the series.

And they had almost exactly the same free throw margin in Game 2 of that series (look it up).

No way in hell that game was rigged.

Unless Game 2 and Game 5 were rigged for the Kings.

 

[Karakand]

If you watch the game, it's not really hard to decide. They weren't subtle about it, the slanted officiating was actually pretty brazen.

They weren't real subtle in game 3, either.

 

[op_ivy]

as a sacramentean, i remember this all too well

 

[polyh3dron]

Ya a couple NBA analyst's said flat out that was the worst refereed game of all time.

They must have said that before game 2 of Lakers v Celtics..

 

[Rorschach]

[17:18] <Rorschach> so...nba games are fixed...I'm SHOCKED!

also:

[19:02] <Rorschach> have you guys noticed there's been 0 replays of calls? They go back to old plays instead.

Plays that don't need any dissection and happened a while back too.

Stern is masterful!

 

[Pachael]

They should ask the Lakers what they think of this (Expect it to be shooed away).

 

[Green Shinobi]

Lakers were the better team that year anyway.

 

[Jonm1010]

LOL. Donaghy says this? He has zero credibility.

Also, the Kings shot more free throws than the Lakers across the series.

And they had almost exactly the same free throw margin in Game 2 of that series (look it up).

No way in hell that game was rigged.

man you are a homer like no other. that aside read the op, the man isnt saying the other games were rigged so your argument is moot.

 

[Green Shinobi]

man you are a homer like no other. that aside read the op, the man isnt saying the other games were rigged so your argument is moot.

Is it being a homer to point out that the team that supposedly got jobbed actually shot more free throws across the seven game series?

Is it being a homer to point out that while the Lakers had a 40-25 FT advantage in Game 6, the Kings had an even greater 35-15 FT advantage in Game 3? And a 38-25 FT advantage in Game 2? And a 33-23 advantage in Game 5? And that Shaq fouled out in Game 5?

You Sac fans make me sick. The Lakers were the best team that year, and that's why they have the banner.

 

[avatar299]

Where are the kings now? That's a better question.

 

[LiveFromKyoto]

Is it being a homer to point out that the team that supposedly got jobbed actually shot more free throws across the seven game series?

Is it being a homer to point out that while the Lakers had a 40-25 FT advantage in Game 6, the Kings had an even greater 35-15 FT advantage in Game 3?

You Sac fans make me sick. The Lakers were the best team that year, and that's why they have the banner.

I wish there was a rolleyes smiley here. The guy said they fixed game 6, not every game. I can't believe that you can even defend that game.

 

[CHYME]

Where are the kings now? That's a better question.

It's actually a terrible question and terrible attempt at trolling.

 

[Green Shinobi]

I wish there was a rolleyes smiley here. The guy said they fixed game 6, not every game. I can't believe that you can even defend that game.

Donaghy said that they fixed Game 6?

That has about as much credibility as O.J. going after his wife's real killers, to be honest.

 

[dkeane]

It's sad that they've made the NBA a joke. I love the sport but can't really watch it seriously.

 

[yankeeforever2]

Donaghy said that they fixed Game 6?

That has about as much credibility as O.J. going after his wife's real killers, to be honest.

27 free throws in one quarter.......think about that for a second.

 

[ViperVisor]

Hack a Shaq to the max or rigged? I can't remember the game.

 

[BakedPigeon]

Tim Donaghy and his crew also fixed Spurs Vs Suns GM 3 that you can view in this neatly packed youtube video. There is no doubt in my mind now that the league fixes games.

 

[Jonm1010]

Is it being a homer to point out that the team that supposedly got jobbed actually shot more free throws across the seven game series?

Is it being a homer to point out that while the Lakers had a 40-25 FT advantage in Game 6, the Kings had an even greater 35-15 FT advantage in Game 3? And a 38-25 FT advantage in Game 2? And a 33-23 advantage in Game 5? And that Shaq fouled out in Game 5?

You Sac fans make me sick. The Lakers were the best team that year, and that's why they have the banner.

first off, i hate the kings, second im a hornets fan, third, you still refuse to read the OP, here let me re-quote it for you

Donaghy said he learned in May 2002 that two referees known as "company men" were working a best-of-seven series in which "Team 5" was leading 3-2. In the sixth game, he alleged the referees purposely ignored personal fouls and called "made-up fouls on Team 5 in order to give additional free throw opportunities for Team 6."

and let me reiterate ad hominem attacks don't discredit anything. because you dont like the guy doesnt mean hes lying.

 

[SyNapSe]

Is it being a homer to point out that the team that supposedly got jobbed actually shot more free throws across the seven game series?

Is it being a homer to point out that while the Lakers had a 40-25 FT advantage in Game 6, the Kings had an even greater 35-15 FT advantage in Game 3? And a 38-25 FT advantage in Game 2? And a 33-23 advantage in Game 5? And that Shaq fouled out in Game 5?

You Sac fans make me sick. The Lakers were the best team that year, and that's why they have the banner.

I thought Donaghy's statement was just that the league wanted a game 7 so they ordered thier "companymen" to make sure it happened in game 6. I hadn't heard anything implied about one team winning. It makes sense, the Kings-Lakers rivalry was pretty good at that time with some real animosity.

Title should be changed, it shouldn't be confirmed. It's the statement of a confessed crook, so it should be taken with a grain of salt. Still, I haven't heard any reason why this helps him.

 

[LiveFromKyoto]

Donaghy said that they fixed Game 6?

That has about as much credibility as O.J. going after his wife's real killers, to be honest.

And yet, Tim Donaghy credibility > Laker homer credibility.

 

[CHYME]

And yet, Tim Donaghy credibility > Laker homer credibility.

On the money.

 

[jman2050]

Green Shinobi shows his bias and utter ignorance of anything sports-related, news at 11.

 

[Mashing]

Who was refing that game? I hope it wasn't Dick Bavetta as I have nothing but respect for that old codger.

 

[Socreges]

Donaghy said that they fixed Game 6?

That has about as much credibility as O.J. going after his wife's real killers, to be honest.

dude what is your slant? personally, i have no preference here. i'm just reading the damn thread. i prefer the lakers to the kings, actually. but i've got to point out to you that you either don't understand the situation or you're being willfully ignorant.

edit- so people actually know he's a lakers homer and he still comes in here, guns blazing.

 

[Green Shinobi]

And yet, Tim Donaghy credibility > Laker homer credibility.

Oh, fuck off. First of all, all Laker FT numbers are skewed by the hack-a-Shaq. Second of all, aside from the Kobe elbow and maybe the Pollard foul, which fouls shouldn't have been called? Third, even after 27 FTs in the quarter (many of which were hack-a-Shaqs), the Lakers still only had a 15 FT advantage.

There's just no way Game 6 was rigged.

Green Shinobi shows his bias and utter ignorance of anything sports-related, news at 11.

Oh, you.

What sports are you more knowledgeable than me about? I'd like to know, honestly.

 

[bathhouseterror]

Donaghy said that they fixed Game 6?

That has about as much credibility as O.J. going after his wife's real killers, to be honest.

How can you sleep at night?

 

[Jonm1010]

Who was refing that game? I hope it wasn't Dick Bavetta as I have nothing but respect for that old codger.

well since you asked, yes, yes he was officiating that game.

 

[bathhouseterror]

well since you asked, yes, yes he was officiating that game.

No surprise there...

 

[Green Shinobi]

dude what is your slant? personally, i have no preference here. i'm just reading the damn thread. i prefer the lakers to the kings, actually. but i've got to point out to you that you either don't understand the situation or you're being willfully ignorant.

edit- so people actually know he's a lakers homer and he still comes in here, guns blazing.

My slant is that the refs blew maybe two or three calls that night.

Also, fan =/= homer.

 

[Jonm1010]

Oh, fuck off. First of all, all Laker FT numbers are skewed by the hack-a-Shaq. Second of all, aside from the Kobe elbow and maybe the Pollard foul, which fouls shouldn't have been called? Third, even after 27 FTs in the quarter (many of which were hack-a-Shaqs), the Lakers still only had a 15 FT advantage.

There's just no way Game 6 was rigged.


Oh, you.

What sports are you more knowledgeable than me about? I'd like to know, honestly.

wow just wow! A man is willing to testify under oath and possible even more jailtime for lying, the game has been called the most obviouslly biased and one-sided, bs officiated game in history and still since its the lakers you shrug it off. My god this is amazing.

 

[Mashing]

well since you asked, yes, yes he was officiating that game.

My world is shattered. If you hear from me tomorrow, it means I committed sucide.

 

[jman2050]

Oh, you.

What sports are you more knowledgeable than me about? I'd like to know, honestly.

I always get a kick reading your MLB posts.

 

[Tamanon]

Next up, Tuck Rule does not really exist.

 

[Karakand]

wow just wow! A man is willing to testify under oath and possible even more jailtime for lying

:lol Perjury is a false threat unless you're a grade A retard.

 

[Green Shinobi]

wow just wow! A man is willing to testify under oath and possible even more jailtime for lying, the game has been called the most obviouslly biased and one-sided, bs officiated game in history and still since its the lakers you shrug it off. My god this is amazing.

You're a Kings fan, right?

The Kings shot 20 more free throws than the Lakers in Game 3. Why was there no complaining about the officiating in that game?

 

[Green Shinobi]

I always get a kick reading your MLB posts.

Yeah, why don't you go through my post history and pull some choice ones. Or hey, how about trying to prove me wrong in the actual thread once in awhile, dickwad?

 

[Archaix]

Is it being a homer to point out that the team that supposedly got jobbed actually shot more free throws across the seven game series?

Is it being a homer to point out that while the Lakers had a 40-25 FT advantage in Game 6, the Kings had an even greater 35-15 FT advantage in Game 3? And a 38-25 FT advantage in Game 2? And a 33-23 advantage in Game 5? And that Shaq fouled out in Game 5?

You Sac fans make me sick. The Lakers were the best team that year, and that's why they have the banner.

Do yourself a favor and just shut the fuck up. The allegation is that the NBA wanted a 7th game, the earlier games have not a god damned thing to do with a game 7 happening. And how, exactly, does the fact that the Kings had a huge free throw advantage through every other game in the series help your case? Oh no no guys, you don't get it, clearly this is false, because every other game but the one with controversy was almost a polar opposite of this one! That PROVES there was nothing fishy going on!


I should add that stating Donaghy has no credibility is one thing but it is a giant leap to try and say that the game wasn't at least officiated in a biased manner. Hell, all NBA game officiating is biased. The stars and home teams get the calls, that's how it is. That doesn't necessarily mean games are rigged, because it is pretty even the way those calls are made. Unfair to the road team, yes. But not unfair to any specific team over a long run.

That said, I completely believe that the NBA rigs games, and didn't need this guy to make me believe it.