This is part of the continued coverage by ShotsHeard about the worst officiated game in NBA history; Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals. Before Tim Donaghy alleged improprieties by the NBA that may have affected Game 6 of the NBA Western Conference Finals, ShotsHeard had already called it the worst officiated game in history.
The objective of this series of articles has not been to confirm or deny Donaghy's allegations. Donaghy has not offered substantial proof, asside from pre-existing circumstantial evidence to support his theories. Hence the name of this series of articles has been 'Consider the reality, not the source.'
Still, the convicted felon as David Stern likes to call him has re-highlighted possible theories and angles though. Whether or not the validity of his accusations are proved or disproved, it does seem that the referees were under some direct or indirect influence to call the game in a way in which the Lakers would have an increased likelihood of winning.
ShotsHeard does not classify this as a mere conspiracy theory. If there was foul play (pardon the pun) then that explains a lot. If it was merely a terribly officiated game, the NBA has yet to remove the doubts from our minds. According to NBA Finals sideline reporter, Henry Abbott, between 70 and 90 percent believe that Donaghy is telling the truth. Just because the majority of people believe something, does not make it true though. But it is indicative of a few factors.
The first factor would be that people thought the game was officiated so poorly that they would even consider subscribing to the idea that the NBA has acted in a corrupt manner. The game was officiated so terribly that it is possible that Donaghy is piggy-backing off pre-existing public perception of how bad the game was officiated.
But then how ironic would it be that such a shot in the dark lead to revelations by one of the officials, Bob Delaney that the FBI has been investigating one of the other referees Dick Bavetta? Maybe it is not that ironic and the basketball fans that watched that game simply believe that the referees acted in a corrupt manner and Tim Donaghy knows that.
The second factor is that the public is that the NBA has never sought to discredit the allegations. Instead David Stern tried to sell it as a clean-cut executive vs. a convicted felon. He wanted it to be as simple as you (the consumer) are part of the lunatic fringe if you want to believe a convicted felon over him.
So in that vain, Mr. Stern has thrown out blanket denials and blanket denials. Looking to Stern for answers is like a Hurricane Katrina victim looking to former FEMA director, John Brown for relief. Last week, when Mr. Stern was asked about the officiating of Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals, Mr. Stern would only concede "it was not one of our best refereed games."
And why will Mr. Stern cannot even admit to the horrendous officiating of that game? If he did, he would have to answer as to why the officials were not reprimanded and disciplined. Instead the reasoning of many is that looking away and allowing the officials to continue to officiate in more higher paying playoff games is how Mr. Stern has rewarded officials for desired results.
Mr. Stern has also not released the performance report cards for the referees of that game. The NBA keeps tabs on the referees performance for every game. If he were to release those records the public would either know that the grading system was flawed or worse that the NBA gave the officials one of the worst (or the worst) grades ever for that game and that they chose to take no action.
The height of Mr. Stern's arrogance was to allow Dick Bavetta to officiate in Game 5 of the 2008 NBA Finals. Stern's message to the viewing was that there was no problem. Bavetta was allowed to officiate the game despite revelations by fellow referee, Bob Delaney that the FBI was investigating Dick Bavetta.
But if there is no problem, then why have YouTubers reported that videos of that 2002 Western Conference Finals Game 6 that were there just days ago, have vanished! Although the videos remain uploaded, viewers cannot see them, according toe the Sacramento Bee.
The belief is that the NBA has asked Youtube to block access to the videos. But Youtube is not saying. "We do not comment on individual videos or video sets," a YouTube spokesperson said.
The NBA's ability to oversee fair refereeing and the NBA's desire to maximize it's revenues are clearly at odds. The need for transparency in it's administering of the referees or as Phil Jackson has suggested to have the referees independent of league control is obvious.
But the NBA will not do this why? Because revenues trump fairness. Relinquishing power simply is not within their best monetary interests. The system is inherently flawed.
The system and how it operated in overseeing that game is so flawed that four days after the game, consumer rights advocate Ralph Nader wrote Mr. Stern addressing his grievances with how the officials administered that game. Mr. Nader has even referenced the infamous nature of that game the corruption of the NBA in ignoring the problem in one of his 2008 internet presidential campaign ads.
On June 20, 2007; only one year and one day ago, David Stern learned from the FBI that Tim Donaghy was being investigated by the FBI for fixing games. On July 25, 2007 he held a news conference announcing the imminent charges of Donaghy. Regarding the matter, Stern said,
“We take our obligation to our fans in this matter very, very seriously. I can tell you that this is the most serious situation and worst situation that I have ever experienced either as a fan of the N.B.A., a lawyer for the N.B.A. or a commissioner of the N.B.A.”
Actually, Mr. Stern, this is the worst situation. The public can deal with one rogue official unwisely risking his career for the sake of greed. What is much more serious and worse is the monopolistic NBA refusing to be held accountable to its fans for ensuring that the game is called properly, irregardless of whether the NBA will make more money if a certain team wins.
View all five parts of the series: 'Consider the reality, not the source'
Part 1: It doesn't take a convicted felon...
Part 2: What transpired in Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals
Part 3: NBA personnel reactions to the 2002 Western Conference Finals officiating and Donaghy allegations
Part 4: Stern tries to whitewash the issue of NBA corruption regarding the 2002 Western Conference Finals
Part 5: 2002 Kings legacy stolen
Part 6: Another NBA smokescreen, ESPN in on the act
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