Tim Donaghy on tonights game...

[shookones99]

I really don't know what to believe at this point.  I go back and forth on my feelings about the refs, david stern, and this whole conspiracy.  

When I first read those excerpts from Donaghy's book, I was definitely suspicious.  And it makes sense from a business standpoint to want to stretch out these series.

But the thing that ultimately makes me believe that these games are officiated fairly and legitimately are the players reactions.  They know what goes on out on the floor.  While they complain nonstop about the calls, you never hear a word from them about games being fixed, or the officiating deciding the outcome.  From a fan's perspective it's easy to make a case for unfair officiating in almost any game.  But if the players, who are the ones actually out on the floor, and would be far more upset about it than any fan, aren't saying anything, then I find it hard to believe that there is actually anything going on among the refs to try and help one team win the game.

[DivingCowens]

If they are pulling Donaghy out of retirement for tonight's game that has to be a red flag!
; )

I had to TP this just for the use of "retirement" lol

[incoherent]

"Orlando should dust off their golf clubs"

Per EEI.

Just sayinnnnnnnnnn.

Flying elbows aren't enough? Now they have to go after our guys with golf clubs?

That ain't right.

haha classic.  I wish someone took a golf club to Donaghey's head.

according to him he got worse durin his time in real jail

[Roy Hobbs]

Love it.  I will repeat this every time a new thread pops up with his name in it.

Tim Donaghy is the new Jose Canseco!

In 10 years, he will be seen in a similar light.  Still a dirtball, but the only honest guy among a group of thieves.

You think Donaghy is honest?

Canseco admitted he did something illegal, because everyone was doing it.  Donaghy still claims that he never fixed games.

He's a liar and a criminal.  People shouldn't hold him up to be something more than he is.

[Bankshot]

Liar or not, I hope Donaghy is right about tonight!

[connerhenry43]

Love it.  I will repeat this every time a new thread pops up with his name in it.

Tim Donaghy is the new Jose Canseco!

In 10 years, he will be seen in a similar light.  Still a dirtball, but the only honest guy among a group of thieves.

You think Donaghy is honest?

Canseco admitted he did something illegal, because everyone was doing it.  Donaghy still claims that he never fixed games.

He's a liar and a criminal.  People shouldn't hold him up to be something more than he is.

ray, usually i luv ya, but the fbi investigated donaghy. they said they found no evidence he fixed games on his own. i think the canseco analogy is a very good one. i trust donaghy more than stern, i will tell you that.

[Mike-Dub]

Half of the big show will be set tonight.  Stern got the Lakers one game away from a meeting with the Celtics.

He wants the ratings, and a Celtics / Lakers series will make him more $$$ than a Suns / Magic series.  That's how David rolls (which is why Perk got is tech rescinded).

Donaghy has an inside track on this...

The NBA...Where Fixed Happens.

I want those voiceover commercials (where they dub them to the music) to have one with the referees in their conference room before the game.  That would be so revealing...

Cavs Lakers didn't happen last year and that would have made way more money than Magic Lakers so I don't buy your theory.

[Bankshot]

Half of the big show will be set tonight.  Stern got the Lakers one game away from a meeting with the Celtics.

He wants the ratings, and a Celtics / Lakers series will make him more $$$ than a Suns / Magic series.  That's how David rolls (which is why Perk got is tech rescinded).

Donaghy has an inside track on this...

The NBA...Where Fixed Happens.

I want those voiceover commercials (where they dub them to the music) to have one with the referees in their conference room before the game.  That would be so revealing...

Cavs Lakers didn't happen last year and that would have made way more money than Magic Lakers so I don't buy your theory.

They let Lakers/Magic happen and look what they got.  They won't let it happen 2 years in a row .... provided the Celtics oblige.  But seriously, no matter what, the Celtics must play well to win, it's not going to be given to them.

[Roy Hobbs]

Love it.  I will repeat this every time a new thread pops up with his name in it.

Tim Donaghy is the new Jose Canseco!

In 10 years, he will be seen in a similar light.  Still a dirtball, but the only honest guy among a group of thieves.

You think Donaghy is honest?

Canseco admitted he did something illegal, because everyone was doing it.  Donaghy still claims that he never fixed games.

He's a liar and a criminal.  People shouldn't hold him up to be something more than he is.

ray, usually i luv ya, but the fbi investigated donaghy. they said they found no evidence he fixed games on his own. i think the canseco analogy is a very good one. i trust donaghy more than stern, i will tell you that.

What do you think Donaghy went to prison for?  Legally betting on games, even if it was against NBA rules?  That's not a federal crime.

Donaghy helped organized crime fix basketball games, so that he and other criminals would profit.  He can claim that he only "traded inside information" all he wants, but I find it very, very unlikely that he never blew a whistle to win a bet.  In fact, the FBI charged that he "compromised his objectivity as a referee because of his personal financial interest in the outcome of NBA games." 

[Boris Badenov]

It's a pretty sad commentary that over the last few days CB discussion, and discussion in many other places, is dominated by officiating - competence, bias, everything up to taking orders from Stern to extend series.

Put all of this in context (Donaghy, the recent study about referees' racial biases, Crawford's antics, inconsistent treatment of play/behavior from play to play and game to game, etc. etc.) and this reveals a pattern that is hugely problematic for a league that otherwise has nearly everything going for it

I think the only real solution is for Stern to step up to the plate and clean house this summer. Anything less, and this will continue to undermine what is otherwise the greatest sports entertainment this country has to offer.

[liam]

I really don't know what to believe at this point.  I go back and forth on my feelings about the refs, david stern, and this whole conspiracy.  

When I first read those excerpts from Donaghy's book, I was definitely suspicious.  And it makes sense from a business standpoint to want to stretch out these series.

But the thing that ultimately makes me believe that these games are officiated fairly and legitimately are the players reactions.  They know what goes on out on the floor.  While they complain nonstop about the calls, you never hear a word from them about games being fixed, or the officiating deciding the outcome.  From a fan's perspective it's easy to make a case for unfair officiating in almost any game.  But if the players, who are the ones actually out on the floor, and would be far more upset about it than any fan, aren't saying anything, then I find it hard to believe that there is actually anything going on among the refs to try and help one team win the game.

They can't speak out. Look at that LA vs Sac game in 2002. A lot of people spoke out and nothing happened. I didn't even have a rooting interest in that game but anyone who watched it knew it was fixed. Players don't speak out because they don't want a fine, or to be drummed out of the League, or be treated like Sheed. ( who almost came to blows with Douaghy after a game. ) Sheed has always spoken out about this. No one wants to listen because the only ones who pay attention all love the NBA and don't want to see it destroyed by scandal. I know I love watching nba basketball when it's fairly officiated and well played. Which I think is becoming very rare. I think if they can fix a Presidential Election in Fl. They can fix an NBA game there.

[Frezz]

I really don't know what to believe at this point.  I go back and forth on my feelings about the refs, david stern, and this whole conspiracy. 

When I first read those excerpts from Donaghy's book, I was definitely suspicious.  And it makes sense from a business standpoint to want to stretch out these series.

But the thing that ultimately makes me believe that these games are officiated fairly and legitimately are the players reactions.  They know what goes on out on the floor.  While they complain nonstop about the calls, you never hear a word from them about games being fixed, or the officiating deciding the outcome.  From a fan's perspective it's easy to make a case for unfair officiating in almost any game.  But if the players, who are the ones actually out on the floor, and would be far more upset about it than any fan, aren't saying anything, then I find it hard to believe that there is actually anything going on among the refs to try and help one team win the game.

What can the players say? If they even go within a mile of this subject, David Stern fines the pants off of them.

[liam]

It's a pretty sad commentary that over the last few days CB discussion, and discussion in many other places, is dominated by officiating - competence, bias, everything up to taking orders from Stern to extend series.

Put all of this in context (Donaghy, the recent study about referees' racial biases, Crawford's antics, inconsistent treatment of play/behavior from play to play and game to game, etc. etc.) and this reveals a pattern that is hugely problematic for a league that otherwise has nearly everything going for it

I think the only real solution is for Stern to step up to the plate and clean house this summer. Anything less, and this will continue to undermine what is otherwise the greatest sports entertainment this country has to offer.

The 1st one who needs to go is Stern!

[FallGuy]

i believe donaghy more than I do the NBA, Stern, Stu Jackson, Joey Crawford, Ed T. Rush et al...

amen to that.

I hate how David Stern's insistence on ignoring the (growing) public outcry about officiating puts us fans in a position where we scrutinize referee assignments and look to scum like Donaghy for wisdom.

[Q_FBE]

Well, if the Celtics win, then we can call Tim Donaghy the Oliver North of the NBA.

Maybe he can be our next coach after Doc Rivers hangs 'em up.

Q. I. A.