Are NBA games pre-determined?

[MarcusSmartFanClub]

I feel like a lot of conspiracy theories try to target a motive/reason, and fill in the gaps to achieve a particular end.

Motive: the NBA wants to make money.
Solution: fix NBA games and create artificial results to maximize money

"While all of us can be prone to seeing illusory patterns (such as a face in the clouds), a study led by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam showed that this tendency is heightened among believers in conspiracy theories. This means they are likely to see apparent connections between disparate events that the rest of us just don’t notice."

https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/conspiracy-theories-belief/

Proof is in the pudding. I showed several clips today and I think it was you that said it's too small a sample size. Not sure how much you would need to see honestly.

These were not 50/50 calls or events happening in the middle of several bodies obstructing their view. They were out in the open and they allowed it to happen.  Now the question is why?

Take the Poole trip of white. No one in their right mind buys thay explanation of why they didn't call a T. Human instinct to protect oneself is not to open their arms and pull on the shorts of white,  but to cover themselves if they sense contact.

You have to admit there are some games that are just reffed terribly.  Why are there no suspensions or firings of refs who don't meet a standard of excellence?

I agree. That was a horribly officiated game. Can I see a couple refs unduly influencing the game for unethical purposes (Donaghy)? Absolutely, and you can convince me that some of these guys are corrupt. I'd be willing to bet that we've had refs that have profited as a result of last night's game for calling plays this way or that way. I think those calls are from Vegas, not New York.

Rigged: manipulated or controlled by deceptive or dishonest means
Fraud: wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain

I'm not willing to say that Adam Silver is rigging these games.

[MarcusSmartFanClub]

I feel like a lot of conspiracy theories try to target a motive/reason, and fill in the gaps to achieve a particular end.

Motive: the NBA wants to make money.
Solution: fix NBA games and create artificial results to maximize money

"While all of us can be prone to seeing illusory patterns (such as a face in the clouds), a study led by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam showed that this tendency is heightened among believers in conspiracy theories. This means they are likely to see apparent connections between disparate events that the rest of us just don’t notice."

https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/conspiracy-theories-belief/

They do want to maximize profit and have longer series, but I don’t see how it can be an artificial result when the best team wins the series every time. Where’s Lebron? Shouldn’t the league have fixed the games so that the most popular NBA player on the planet is at least in the playoffs?

So they're guiding it to a predetermined outcome. Warriors in 7? Celtics in 6?

[Goldstar88]

I feel like a lot of conspiracy theories try to target a motive/reason, and fill in the gaps to achieve a particular end.

Motive: the NBA wants to make money.
Solution: fix NBA games and create artificial results to maximize money

"While all of us can be prone to seeing illusory patterns (such as a face in the clouds), a study led by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam showed that this tendency is heightened among believers in conspiracy theories. This means they are likely to see apparent connections between disparate events that the rest of us just don’t notice."

https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/conspiracy-theories-belief/

They do want to maximize profit and have longer series, but I don’t see how it can be an artificial result when the best team wins the series every time. Where’s Lebron? Shouldn’t the league have fixed the games so that the most popular NBA player on the planet is at least in the playoffs?

So they're guiding it to a predetermined outcome. Warriors in 7? Celtics in 6?

They slant the whistle to favor the home team. It doesn’t guarantee an outcome like a fix does, but it certainly has an influence on the game. From a business standpoint it isn’t good for there to be sweeps. The Mavs/Warriors matchup for the western conference finals was horrendous. Even with Dallas getting the home court whistle, it wasn’t enough to make that a series. The league lost a lot of money with it ending in a gentleman’s sweep and it was not entertaining to watch at all.

[Moranis]

I'm embarrassed this thread exists.  Shameful.  Anyone voting yes should adjust their tin foil hat because it is clearly malfunctioning. 

And just remember, the Celtics have won the most titles, what does that say if the league fixes games?

Just totally disgusted that this exists.  This is why people hate New England sports fans.  Crap like this.

[angryguy77]

I'm embarrassed this thread exists.  Shameful.  Anyone voting yes should adjust their tin foil hat because it is clearly malfunctioning. 

And just remember, the Celtics have won the most titles, what does that say if the league fixes games?

Just totally disgusted that this exists.  This is why people hate New England sports fans.  Crap like this.

Yes clearly Boston sports fans are the only fans who think the NBA is shady.

Between this and declaring the series is over during last night's thread, you could roast marshmallows with these takes.

[johnnygreen]

Adam Silver must have told the Celtics players to pass the ball directly to the Warriors for game 2, to help even the series  . I'd rather that be the case, than to believe the Celtics were that incompetent.

[Kernewek]

I feel like a lot of conspiracy theories try to target a motive/reason, and fill in the gaps to achieve a particular end.

Motive: the NBA wants to make money.
Solution: fix NBA games and create artificial results to maximize money

"While all of us can be prone to seeing illusory patterns (such as a face in the clouds), a study led by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam showed that this tendency is heightened among believers in conspiracy theories. This means they are likely to see apparent connections between disparate events that the rest of us just don’t notice."

https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/conspiracy-theories-belief/

They do want to maximize profit and have longer series, but I don’t see how it can be an artificial result when the best team wins the series every time. Where’s Lebron? Shouldn’t the league have fixed the games so that the most popular NBA player on the planet is at least in the playoffs?

So they're guiding it to a predetermined outcome. Warriors in 7? Celtics in 6?

They slant the whistle to favor the home team. It doesn’t guarantee an outcome like a fix does, but it certainly has an influence on the game. From a business standpoint it isn’t good for there to be sweeps. The Mavs/Warriors matchup for the western conference finals was horrendous. Even with Dallas getting the home court whistle, it wasn’t enough to make that a series. The league lost a lot of money with it ending in a gentleman’s sweep and it was not entertaining to watch at all.

How does this square with the actual sweep that occurred during the Boston & Brooklyn series? Did the home team get slanted whistles with a measurable influence?

[Jvalin]

To a certain extent, I believe they are. The most striking example is probably the 2002 WCF. Btw, I believe the draft lottery is rigged as well.

Question is, why do I still care? Don't have an answer tbh. All I know is my interest is fading year by year. I mean, the C's have made the NBA Finals for the first time in 12 years, yet I didn't even bother to watch Game 2. I watched the first 3 quarters of Game 1 on tape delay, only to fall asleep early in the 4th quarter.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

I'm embarrassed this thread exists.  Shameful.  Anyone voting yes should adjust their tin foil hat because it is clearly malfunctioning. 

And just remember, the Celtics have won the most titles, what does that say if the league fixes games?

Just totally disgusted that this exists.  This is why people hate New England sports fans.  Crap like this.

Yes clearly Boston sports fans are the only fans who think the NBA is shady.

Between this and declaring the series is over during last night's thread, you could roast marshmallows with these takes.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[RMO]

I don't think it's an "in the fifth you go down" type of thing but I can buy that the league knows their refs tendencies and that can influence who they assign to particular games.

This will never happen but I wish they would assign the same refs to the entire series.  At least then the players/coaches can get a longer term feel for how they're calling it.  Before each game they can give points of emphasis of how they're going to call it (maybe they already do that) and how it's going to change from the last game.

[MarcusSmartFanClub]

Credit to those that are willing to admit we’re watching fiction. Some are trying to hedge their bets by saying something about slanted whistles. Maybe they don’t want to acknowledge the Celtics inadequacies, but are too self conscious to back up their accusations when given the chance to answer a yes/no question in plain language. I don’t get this. Why clamor about refs in a game thread on repeat, then decline the opportunity to vote accordingly? It’s really not a nuanced take- either Silver is handpicking refs to determine an outcome or not.

[Moranis]

I'm embarrassed this thread exists.  Shameful.  Anyone voting yes should adjust their tin foil hat because it is clearly malfunctioning. 

And just remember, the Celtics have won the most titles, what does that say if the league fixes games?

Just totally disgusted that this exists.  This is why people hate New England sports fans.  Crap like this.

Yes clearly Boston sports fans are the only fans who think the NBA is shady.

Between this and declaring the series is over during last night's thread, you could roast marshmallows with these takes.

Boston in 5

[jambr380]

On a related note, I do think teams - especially in the Finals - should be allowed to choose 1 or 2 refs they do not want officiating their series. The Cs have obviously had their issues with Zarba and are now 1-4 in games he's officiated these playoffs, while being 12-3 in non-Zarba games. Chris Paul is 0 for his last 14 with Scott Foster as his ref in the playoffs. And then you have instances like the Joey Crawford vs Popovich feud.

This seems easy enough and could even be done behind closed doors as to not single out individual refs to the public. There is just too much at stake for these teams and you should never feel like you have no chance with a certain ref. That can mess with you mentally - even if the game is officiated well.

[timpiker]

How else in the NBA gonna get back those millions lost from China?

[slamtheking]

Credit to those that are willing to admit we’re watching fiction. Some are trying to hedge their bets by saying something about slanted whistles. Maybe they don’t want to acknowledge the Celtics inadequacies, but are too self conscious to back up their accusations when given the chance to answer a yes/no question in plain language. I don’t get this. Why clamor about refs in a game thread on repeat, then decline the opportunity to vote accordingly? It’s really not a nuanced take- either Silver is handpicking refs to determine an outcome or not.

game 2 pretty well laid bare an agenda.  no other way to take it.  such blatantly biased officiating for GSW not to mention the supporting comments from Javie and Green about knowing Green could get away with bloody murder after that first tech.

doesn't take away from the C's playing poorly with horrible TOs and bad shooting.  However, that aside, it can't be ignored that the second foul on Jaylen was completely bogus and changed the course of the game.  Jaylen was playing well and carrying the team's offense but after having to be taken out, he was not playing to the same effect and the team in general was struggling.  THAT's on the officials plain and simple.

I don't think the league cares which team wins the series.  I've been dubious of prior arguments that the league tries to get playoff series extended but having seen the low "quality" of officiating in the Miami series and this past game, I feel it's not as far-fetched as I once considered it.