Donaghy Alleges other Refs altered Games in Court Letter

[jkrdevil]

Well here are the allegations that ex-NBA ref made to a letter to court on behalf for his sentencing. They seem to involve the 2002 Mavs-Rockets series where Jeff Van Gundy had made a comment that he was told by another ref that the refs were instructed by the league to call the game a certain way. I don't know how legitimate these claims are but it will give credence to those who believe that Stern and the NBA urge refs to officiate in ways to favor long series and for certain teams. This could be a case of where there is smoke there is fire.

Jeff Van Gundy ultimately backed off comments that a referee told him that officials had targeted Yao Ming in the Houston Rockets 2005 first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks. Maybe he was right.

A letter sent to the sentencing court on behalf of convicted former referee Tim Donaghy outlines just such a plan. Donaghy's legal team is trying demonstrate his cooperation with a government investigation before he is sentenced on July 14 on felony charges alleging he took cash payoffs from gamblers and bet on games himself.

In other documents filed with the Brooklyn court, Donaghy's lawyers responded to the NBA's claim that he must pay $1 million in restitution to cover the cost of the league's private investigation.

The letter alleging referees altered games mentions only the year 2005, but the circumstances make it apparent that it is referring to the Rockets-Mavs series.

"Team 3 lost the first two games in the series and Team 3's Owner complained to NBA officials," the letter says. "Team 3's Owner alleged that referees were letting a Team 4 player get away with illegal screens. NBA Executive Y told Referee Supervisor Z that the referees for that game were to enforce the screening rules strictly against that Team 4 player. Referee Supervisor Z informed the referees about his instructions. As an alternate referee for that game, Tim also received these instructions."

Mavs owner Mark Cuban did in fact complain after his team lost the first two games of the series, and Dallas went on to beat Houston in seven games. Van Gundy said that a working referee had told him about the league's plan. Donaghy's letter claims that Supervisor Z contacted the coach. Van Gundy was ultimately fined $100,000.

Looking at box scores from the series, however, the only game in which Yao fouled out was in fact Game 1. He did average 4.4 fouls per game in the series.

The letter also details an incident in the 2002 playoffs in which Donaghy alleges that two referees, who were known as NBA "company men," wanted to extend a series to seven games. "Team 5" could have wrapped up the series in Game 6 but lost two players to ejection, lost that game and ultimately the series.

It is not clear which series this account refers to.

Donaghy also alleges that team executives conspired with the league to prevent star players from being called for too many fouls or being ejected. He claimed that league officials told referees that doing so would "hurt ticket sales and television ratings."

According to the letter, when an official did eject a star player in the first quarter of a game in 2000, he was privately reprimanded.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3436401

There is also more in the story about how some refs had inappropriate relationships with team officials.

[FiddySicks]

Now coming from a person who was a die hard Sacramento Kings fan in 2002, I'm sure this wont hold much merit, but I have always felt that the WCF between the Kings and Lakers had some of the worst officiating I've ever seen in any sporting event. It wouldn't shock me at all if there was something strange going on with the officiating in that series.

[DG_ThenNowForever]

Now coming from a person who was a die hard Sacramento Kings fan in 2002, I'm sure this wont hold much merit, but I have always felt that the WCF between the Kings and Lakers had some of the worst officiating I've ever seen in any sporting event. It wouldn't shock me at all if there was something strange going on with the officiating in that series.

Like when Kobe punched Mike Bibby in the face, and they called the foul on Bibby? It remains one of my favorite missed calls of all time. Too bad too, because there were a lot of people rooting for the Kings that year. They had their window, and the Lakers and Spurs closed it year after year. A shame, because they were an incredibly likable team.

[TFoA]

Now coming from a person who was a die hard Sacramento Kings fan in 2002, I'm sure this wont hold much merit, but I have always felt that the WCF between the Kings and Lakers had some of the worst officiating I've ever seen in any sporting event. It wouldn't shock me at all if there was something strange going on with the officiating in that series.

Like when Kobe punched Mike Bibby in the face, and they called the foul on Bibby? It remains one of my favorite missed calls of all time.

I still say that was one of the worst calls of all time. Thank you for rekindling my hate for the Lakers now. It was that one single play that made me think for half a day as a early middle schooler, "The refs are crooked. The Lakers have got the refs in the back pocket. Kobe Bryant just elbowed Bibby clear as day and they call the foul on Bibby."

Of course, that was just a kid's opinion on what was actually going on, but now this seems to lend credence to that theory. Now I really believe that the 2002 WCF (ESPECIALLY game 6. How the do the Lakers go to the line 27 times IN THE FOURTH QUARTER ALONE?!) was fixed to at least go to 7 games. If this happens to be true, I know Kings fans have gotta be feeling really pissy right now, because they would've mollywocked the Nets in the Finals that year.

[NJTank]

Damn Right the Refs fixed those games the NBA was scared of TV ratings if the Finals was Sacramento vs New Jersey and they told the refs what to do.

I think Tim Donaghy has just scratched the surface of the NBA fixing games over the last two decades.

[infrared41]

Wow. This could get really ugly. Some people already have it in their heads that the NBA rigs games to make sure certain teams win. This latest revelation ain't gonna help with that. That said, is anyone truly shocked? Sadly, I think this type of thing goes on in The NFL as well, probably more so. It likely goes on in the other leagues too though maybe not to the same degree. Who knows? Anything is possible. Lots of money can get people to do many things. It's hardly an abstract concept to think that with the billions of dollars that go into these leagues that they may be less than pure. Pro leagues aren't run by a bunch of benevolent old men whose main interest is in pure competition. I think the NBA is about to take our virginity folks.

[dfwabel]

Damn Right the Refs fixed those games the NBA was scared of TV ratings if the Finals was Sacramento vs New Jersey and they told the refs what to do.

I think Tim Donaghy has just scratched the surface of the NBA fixing games over the last two decades.

I do not think that the NBA would possess so little long-term financial foresight that they would have just one series in their championships fixed. Now, I expect Sen. Arlen Specter to call the NBA offices within a few weeks. I don't think this is on teh level of the Serie A scandal in 2006

The letter is from a convicted felon who is broke and may have to pay the NBA for their court costs and fees. While there could be some truths in his statements, consider the source. If he has half as much truthful statements as Jose Canseco has had, it still would not be enough for me. This was a letter to the court, not a deposition or testimony under oath too. The following items were said under oath too:

OJ said he cut his hand in Chicago upon hearing that Nicole was found dead.

Kenneth Lay and Jeff Skilling told the court they each had no idea of Enron's financial troubles.

President Clinton said he did not have s#x with Monica Lewinsky.

[infrared41]

Damn Right the Refs fixed those games the NBA was scared of TV ratings if the Finals was Sacramento vs New Jersey and they told the refs what to do.

I think Tim Donaghy has just scratched the surface of the NBA fixing games over the last two decades.

I do not think that the NBA would possess so little long-term financial foresight that they would have just one series in their championships fixed. Now, I expect Sen. Arlen Specter to call the NBA offices within a few weeks. I don't think this is on teh level of the Serie A scandal in 2006

The letter is from a convicted felon who is broke and may have to pay the NBA for their court costs and fees. While there could be some truths in his statements, consider the source. If he has half as much truthful statements as Jose Canseco has had, it still would not be enough for me. This was a letter to the court, not a deposition or testimony under oath too. The following items were said under oath too:

OJ said he cut his hand in Chicago upon hearing that Nicole was found dead.

Kenneth Lay and Jeff Skilling told the court they each had no idea of Enron's financial troubles.

President Clinton said he did not have s#x with Monica Lewinsky.

I don't know, there sure is an awful lot of smoke there. Long term financial foresight may be precisely why it would be in the NBA's best interest to make sure that certain markets, teams, and players get more breaks than others. I know none of us want to see a professional league go down in flames but I have a feeling this is going to get a lot worse before it gets better. And the statements made by O.J. et al that you reference aren't exactly relevant to the issue. Just because they lied does not automatically mean that Donaghy is not telling the truth. I'm with Tank, Donaghy is just the tip of the iceberg.

[DG_ThenNowForever]

OJ said he cut his hand in Chicago upon hearing that Nicole was found dead.

Kenneth Lay and Jeff Skilling told the court they each had no idea of Enron's financial troubles.

President Clinton said he did not have s#x with Monica Lewinsky.

Hmm...One of those things is not like the other.

Anyway, I'll be interested to hear what happens here. MLB has a credibility problem because of the steroid era. NFL has a credibility problem because all of its players are murderous thugs. NBA has a credibility because its refs help to fix games. NHL would have a credibility problem, except no one watches the damn sport, I mean, they change the rules too frequently for anyone to know what's going on.

I'm the first to admit that professional wrestling is not a legitimate sport and I would never consider it as such, but at this point, it's hard to see the difference between WWE and the other sports leagues, no? I mean, at the least the WWE is upfront about the fact that it's all a work.

[Ez Street]

I have long thought the league was fixed in certain ways. Maybe not a pre-determined champion, but favorable to certain teams.

Stuff that goes way beyond Jordan not getting called for traveling.

[njmeadowlanders]

...not only 2002, but in 2001, I seem to remember some Bucks players saying the NBA obviously wanted Philly to face LA for obvious reasons...IDK the circumstances though...

[ferrousoxide66]

This has to take down Der Kaiser Stern.

This is absolutely and completely damaging. The whole integrity of the game is in doubt. Think Pete Rose x 1,000 - that's how bad this is.

It's what all the fans feared may be in play, and now we have sworn testimony to the fact. Absolutely brutal stuff. I know I can't seriously watch another NBA game after this - it's almost WWE to me now.

[Atomic]

Did anybody see the halftime interview with Stern last night? From my perspective, he had this smug attitude about him. Its as if he was saying "prove it, you aren't going to find anything concrete" to the media.

[ferrousoxide66]

Did anybody see the halftime interview with Stern last night? From my perspective, he had this smug attitude about him. Its as if he was saying "prove it, you aren't going to find anything concrete" to the media.

Yes, he's in denial. He's fiddlin' whilst his city is burning.

[gueman]

I would bet the ref's union will come out with some bull that they are not paid enough as the players. That have a hard time financially and that Donaghy was trying to enhance his meager income. The NBA has been a sham for years, Knicks winning the draft lottery to get Ewing? I am not as cynical as DG but this is just the tip of the sports iceberg.

[Viper]

This has to take down Der Kaiser Stern.

This is absolutely and completely damaging. The whole integrity of the game is in doubt. Think Pete Rose x 1,000 - that's how bad this is.

It's what all the fans feared may be in play, and now we have sworn testimony to the fact. Absolutely brutal stuff. I know I can't seriously watch another NBA game after this - it's almost WWE to me now.

Considering the source of these new "revelations", I am compelled to take them with a grain of salt. But only one grain.

It's not as though Donaghy's allegations are anything new or earth-shattering - they merely cement the perception that a lot of folks, you and I included, have had of the NBA for years now. Even if this turns out to be total BS (which, again considering the source, wouldn't surprise me), the PR damage to the NBA is already done, and it's about the same magnitude as the damage done to Wisconsin's Lake Delton the other day.

[infrared41]

OJ said he cut his hand in Chicago upon hearing that Nicole was found dead.

Kenneth Lay and Jeff Skilling told the court they each had no idea of Enron's financial troubles.

President Clinton said he did not have s#x with Monica Lewinsky.

Hmm...One of those things is not like the other.

Anyway, I'll be interested to hear what happens here. MLB has a credibility problem because of the steroid era. NFL has a credibility problem because all of its players are murderous thugs. NBA has a credibility because its refs help to fix games. NHL would have a credibility problem, except no one watches the damn sport, I mean, they change the rules too frequently for anyone to know what's going on.

I'm the first to admit that professional wrestling is not a legitimate sport and I would never consider it as such, but at this point, it's hard to see the difference between WWE and the other sports leagues, no? I mean, at the least the WWE is upfront about the fact that it's all a work.

All I can say is that the more I read about the NFL, NBA, and MLB, the more I like NASCAR. I gotta think that if racing is rigged then Dale Jr. and Danica Patrick would win a lot more races.

[Fred T. Jane]

Luciano Moggi thinks all of these shenanigans are merely child's play.

[See Red]

Wasn't Game 6 the "make up" for a bad call that allowed the Kings to win Game 5? I didn't watch either game, but I was under the impression that was the case, and I heard Phil Jackson mention it today. Not saying that makes it right, or justifies what the NBA allegedly did, but just that maybe Kings fans don't have as much right to complain as they think... though, again, I didn't see EITHER game.

I never thought I'd see a League so ill-equipped to defend themselves against accusations like these. There's just too many examples you can point to over the years.

[TFoA]

Not saying that makes it right, or justifies what the NBA allegedly did, but just that maybe Kings fans don't have as much right to complain as they think... though, again, I didn't see EITHER game.

Holy crap, Game 6 of the 2002 WCF was, IMO, the worst officiated game in playoff history. There were so many terrible calls and many of those calls were slanted towards the side of the Lakers. I mean, anytime one team goes to the FT line 25+ in a quarter, something's gotta be wrong. And I know it's already covered, but since when do you call a foul on the guy who got elbowed instead of the guy who did the elbowing? That game was horrendously officiated, and apparently, now we know why.