Ref Under Suspect by FBI and League!

[Testing]

The FBI is preparing to arrest an NBA referee and several organized crime associates for fixing the outcomes of games the referee worked in, according to the New York Post.

The report says the number of games in which the group won large bets was in the "double digits" and includes games from the past two seasons.
Sources told the paper the referee had a gambling problem and wound up indebted to mob-related bookies.

The name was not released, but the Post says David Stern has a report on the referee and is aware of the investigation.



http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/7042010?MSNHPHMA

[ObiwanGinobili]

please let it bee crawford or javie.. please god please.

[AmarilloDoc]

Wow. This could be big, especially if he ever admitted to which games he did this in (aka playoffs).

[50 cent]

Can we get a vBookie on this Kori?

I've got to go with Salvatore or Bavetta.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Can we get a vBookie on this Kori?

I've got to go with Salvatore or Bavetta.


:spin I said the same thing.

Cue the Mavericks fans and their 'the Finals were fixed' meltdown of the summer of 2007 in 3...2...1...

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Well this could finally prove what we've known all along: Stern fixed the series so that the Spurs could win four championships.

[justanotherspursfan]

Wow. This could be big, especially if he ever admitted to which games he did this in (aka playoffs).
"This could be big?" Gee, do you think?

If this turns out to be true, it would be the most disastrous story in the history of the NBA.

[Darkwaters]

Well this could finally prove what we've known all along: Stern fixed the series so that the Spurs could win four championships.

Clearly he just wanted to up the ratings by putting the Spurs in the finals. Obviously if the Spurs weren't the media's darlings then they never would have made it since they obviously lack talent. :rolleyes

[spurs4real]

wow there you have it, The dark cloud that will loom over our Spurs from trolls. we are already dirty, we are already Sterns babies, we are already floppers, we already challenge every damn call, now we will be tied to a "stupid" referee that fixed some of our games or games that we played in that we shoulda lost yet we won.

I can hear it now.

ps. Tony Soprano did bet on the spurs and mavs, it be hysterically funny if that was one of the games the referee bet on and officiated.

[Extra Stout]

Who knew Peter Holt was a mob boss? I guess it makes sense... he's in the "construction" business.

[Walton Buys Off Me]

Nevermind the poor Mavericks in the Finals. Dallas would have lost to the Spurs in five games last year if it wasn't for the charity handed out to Dirk Nowitzki.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

The timing of this is almost as suspicious as when NASA killed Anna Nicole to get the crazy astronaut off the front page. CIA Goodell???

[Twisted_Dawg]

Are we all forgetting the fucking we took in the 2006 playoffs against Dallas?

This doesn't surprise me at all. Wasn't it just a few short years ago, several of the leagues's tops refs, got convicted of tax evasion for using airline tickets supplied to them by their employer (NBA) for monetary gain. Basically liars and cheats, and screwed their employer and were fired by the NBA. All pleaded guilty, some did time now are convicted felons, and many were REHIRED by the NBA. Rehired to do a job where one's character, honesty and reputation are paramount in doing the job. I wonder how many other NBA refs are doing the same thing?

[101A]

:spin I said the same thing.

Cue the Mavericks fans and their 'the Finals were fixed' meltdown of the summer of 2007 in 3...2...1...


Bullcrap...if the WCSF wasn't fixed, we would be talking about a potential 4-peat right about now. :downspin:

[ttdog]

Full article from the New York Post

July 20, 2007 -- THE FBI is investigating an NBA referee who allegedly was betting on basketball games - including ones he was officiating during the past two seasons - as part of an organized-crime probe in the Big Apple, The Post has learned.

The investigation, which began more than a year ago, is zeroing in on blockbuster allegations that the referee was making calls that affected the point spread to guarantee that he - and the hoods who had their hooks in him - cashed in on large bets.

Federal agents are set to arrest the referee and a cadre of mobsters and their associates who lined their pockets, sources said.

"These are dangerous people [the referee] was involved with," a source said.

One source close to the probe counted the number of games on which the ref and his wiseguy buddies scored windfalls in the "double digits."

NBA Commissioner David Stern is aware of the investigation and has a report about the referee on his desk, another source said.

The official, whose name was withheld, allegedly wagered on games during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 NBA seasons.

James Margolin, an FBI spokesman, declined comment on the latest black eye for professional sports.

The sources indicated the referee apparently had a gambling problem, slipped into debt and fell prey to mob thugs.

"That's how he got himself into this predicament" by wagering with mob-connected bookies, one source said.

Professional basketball has remained largely unscathed by allegations of game-fixing, although college basketball has been rocked by several scandals involving point-shaving by players, but not officials.

One of the most recent was a Boston College point-shaving scam arranged in the 1980s by mobster Henry Hill, who bribed several players. Hill later became a government informant, and his life was depicted in the movie "GoodFellas."

Having a referee in their pockets provides a two-fold bonanza to game fixers.

Gamblers would be able to directly cash in by betting on games where they knew the point spread was compromised.

But having a ref in their pocket could prove even more lucrative to crooks in a bookmaking syndicate.

Bookmakers hope to encourage an equal amount of betting on each team and make their money on the "vigorish," which is typically 10 percent of a losing bet.

But armed with the inside information, the bookmaking syndicate could set an artificial point spread that would encourage large "layoff" bets from other bookies carrying too much action on one team, that were likely now to lose.

An FBI organized-crime squad in the bureau's flagship New York office is handling the case, but the referee traveled the country officiating various games on which he allegedly bet.

It was not determined which games were allegedly affected by the referee's actions, or how much money may have been won by him and his cohorts.

The FBI got wind of the scheme while conducting a separate mob investigation.

The most prominent American sport- gambling scandal in recent history involved Cincinnati Reds manager Pete Rose, who was banned from baseball in 1989 for betting on his own team.

Based largely on testimony of two Rose associates, Ron Peters and Paul Janszen, Major League Baseball determined that from 1985 through 1987, Rose bet on baseball, including 52 Reds games in 1987, at a minimum of $10,000 a game.

All of Rose's bets on Cincinnati were to win.

Link (http://www.nypost.com/seven/07202007/news/columnists/nba_in_a_fix_columnists_murray_weiss.htm)

[2centsworth]

huge story

[Solid D]

You can't speculate and be fair. It's easy to think back on certain games that were called strangely over the past couple of years. Remember the Spurs game in Utah where the Salt Lake City fans went ballistic throwing stuff out on the floor? Joe DeRosa and Steve Javie were working that game. Sure you tend to think of people like Dick the Knick Bavetta, Bennett Salvatore, Eddie F. Rush, DeRosa, or even swallow-the-whistle Callahan...but you get into trouble trying to guess.

[Findog]

:spin I said the same thing.

Cue the Mavericks fans and their 'the Finals were fixed' meltdown of the summer of 2007 in 3...2...1...

The only thing I see in this thread so far is Spurs fans complaining about our "league-assisted" win in the semifinals two years ago. We lost to Miami fair and square.

[Spurminator]

Violet Palmer?

[Findog]

Violet Palmer?


One would think she could trade sexual favors in exchange for forgiveness of gambling debts.

[degenerate_gambler]

from a gambler's standpoint...it's a kick in the gut to hear this come to light.

from a fan's standpoint...it's demoralizing because it goes straight to the game's credibility.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

asterisks in the making

[Solid D]

Sometimes, the people you least expect to be involved wll be brought to light.

I'm sure there will be fans questioning lots of things after this, even into next season's games. Organized crime will always be looking for the next person to help them make money.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

The only thing I see in this thread so far is Spurs fans complaining about our "league-assisted" win in the semifinals two years ago. We lost to Miami fair and square.

So far....

If even one of the games listed is a game in which the Mavs lost in the playoffs, particularly if it was a Miami game from last year in the Finals, you and your buddies will be drowning this site in tears.

[Russ]

asterisks in the making
This could go way beyond asterisks.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Sometimes, the people you least expect to be involved wll be brought to light.

I'm sure there will be fans questioning lots of things after this, even into next season's games. Organized crime will always be looking for the next person to help them make money.

Actually we joke about Bavetta and Salvatore because they are so horrible.

But I could easily see the ref named coming out of left field on this one and surprising everyone.

[justanotherspursfan]

So far....

If even one of the games listed is a game in which the Mavs lost in the playoffs, particularly if it was a Miami game from last year in the Finals, you and your buddies will be drowning this site in tears.
If a ref fixed a game in the finals, it will be more than just Mav fans that are outraged.

Besides, how pissed would you be if you found out that the refs stole a game from us in the '04 Lakers series or the '06 Mavs series? At that point, everyone has a right to be pissed.

For now, I just hope the Spurs didn't win any rigged playoff games. I want every one of our wins to still mean something.

[Findog]

So far....

If even one of the games listed is a game in which the Mavs lost in the playoffs, particularly if it was a Miami game from last year in the Finals, you and your buddies will be drowning this site in tears.

That would be true of any fanbase. If even one of those games involved a Spurs loss in even-numbered years, you and your buddies will be drowning this site in tears over the lost possibility of a 9-peat. There was only one game in the 2006 Finals that was officiated in a heavily one-sided manner, but there's three other games that can't be pinned on the refs. Mavs just didn't take care of business.

[Russ]

For now, I just hope the Spurs didn't win any rigged playoff games. I want every one of our wins to still mean something.
Hopefully, it was just regular season games. You can make as much on the Knicks-Hawks in October as the Spurs-Cavs in June.

[CosmicCowboy]

Don't forget you can bust the spread without necessarily changing the win/lose outcome of the game.

[td4mvp21]

I just hope it wasn't in the playoffs.

[gus]

The worst I've seen is the Mavs-Spurs series in 2006 there were 2/3 games that were a dissaster.

Gus.

[tlongII]

Anybody that watched the Spurs vs Suns series knows that the games are fixed.

[Clutch20]

Questions at this point:

Obvious one, which ref was it?

Who ratted?

How long did the ratting go on; when did it start?

How far-reaching were the illegal actvities amongst the fraternity of refs?

How many refs swallowed the whistle blowing on the one cheater and for how long did they do that?

How long will the court procedings take, from charges, indictments to final sentencings?

When exactly will this new media 3-ring circus debacle take place? During our week of the Ring and Banner Ceremonies?????? Better the hell not!!!!! We had to endure
Kobi-wanna-quit media distractions during our 07' post-season run. It would be a nightmare if this new round of improprieties hit our NBA world right smack in the middle of our celebration week of rings and banner.

There's a thousand more questions that go begging.

Anybody here for starting a college for refs?
I'll put my first bid in.

[bdictjames]

Isnt there some code of honor these refs swear to?

[FromWayDowntown]

Two things:

1. Some of you are misunderstanding this story -- it's not about some league edict to fix games; it's about a single official who got in too deep with gamblers and agreed to manipulate calls to affect the spread at the ends of games. For all we know, the official was pushing favorites out further late in games to ensure that the favorite would cover. Not trying in any way to excuse the conduct, but this is a far cry from the claim that some vast conspiracy has officials determining outcomes at the league's insistence.

2. I explained my reasoning in another thread, but given that this investigation has been going on for a year now, I'd be absolutely shocked if we're talking about a high-profile official who called crucial playoff games. I suspect, frankly, that we're dealing with one of the middle-level referees -- someone who's been in the league for at least 5-10 years, but someone who doesn't normally officiate significant games. I'd be shocked if it's a name that everyone immediately recognizes.

[Switchman]

Anybody that watched the Spurs vs Suns series knows that the games are fixed.

If you go back and watch the replays, you can actually see a 400 lb. mobster push Amarie onto the court during the Horry/Nash incident.

Must have HD though ofcourse.

[Oh, Gee!!]

asterisks in the making

****

[Borosai]

Two things:

1. Some of you are misunderstanding this story -- it's not about some league edict to fix games; it's about a single official who got in too deep with gamblers and agreed to manipulate calls to affect the spread at the ends of games. For all we know, the official was pushing favorites out further late in games to ensure that the favorite would cover. Not trying in any way to excuse the conduct, but this is a far cry from the claim that some vast conspiracy has officials determining outcomes at the league's insistence.

2. I explained my reasoning in another thread, but given that this investigation has been going on for a year now, I'd be absolutely shocked if we're talking about a high-profile official who called crucial playoff games. I suspect, frankly, that we're dealing with one of the middle-level referees -- someone who's been in the league for at least 5-10 years, but someone who doesn't normally officiate significant games. I'd be shocked if it's a name that everyone immediately recognizes.

Exactly.

[phyzik]

I cant wait to find out who it is....

[Clutch20]

Two things:

1. Some of you are misunderstanding this story -- it's not about some league edict to fix games..........

So..........just a worm in the apple..........a little paring, extracting and polishing of up the other side of the apple, show that side to the public, then business as usual in October with everyone either smiling or shaking their heads at another San Antonio Spurs ring ceremony.

I hope so.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Don't forget you can bust the spread without necessarily changing the win/lose outcome of the game.

No one should confuse point shaving with fixing games.

[Oh, Gee!!]

Two things:

1. Some of you are misunderstanding this story -- it's not about some league edict to fix games; it's about a single official who got in too deep with gamblers and agreed to manipulate calls to affect the spread at the ends of games.

still not good news for the NBA

[lebomb]

Arent there 3 refs during the game??? I cant see ONE ref in a game changing the entire outcome, unless the game was tied going into the last minute or two.

[emo serb]

I bet he refed the Pistons/Cavs series, no way does lebron get away with so much shit.

[phyzik]

Two things:

1. Some of you are misunderstanding this story -- it's not about some league edict to fix games; it's about a single official who got in too deep with gamblers and agreed to manipulate calls to affect the spread at the ends of games. For all we know, the official was pushing favorites out further late in games to ensure that the favorite would cover. Not trying in any way to excuse the conduct, but this is a far cry from the claim that some vast conspiracy has officials determining outcomes at the league's insistence.

2. I explained my reasoning in another thread, but given that this investigation has been going on for a year now, I'd be absolutely shocked if we're talking about a high-profile official who called crucial playoff games. I suspect, frankly, that we're dealing with one of the middle-level referees -- someone who's been in the league for at least 5-10 years, but someone who doesn't normally officiate significant games. I'd be shocked if it's a name that everyone immediately recognizes.

I agree, but one person or not, its human nature to question. This is nothing but bad for the entire league and their refs regardless of how you look at it. The fact that there is proof that it obviously can happen is going to cause people to question all of those other seemingly wierd calls that, until now, had no reasonable explanation. Regardless if its the "right" explanation or not, people are going to use it and really scrutinize every single questionable call from here on out.

[SpursFanFirst]

Two things:

1. Some of you are misunderstanding this story -- it's not about some league edict to fix games; it's about a single official who got in too deep with gamblers and agreed to manipulate calls to affect the spread at the ends of games. For all we know, the official was pushing favorites out further late in games to ensure that the favorite would cover. Not trying in any way to excuse the conduct, but this is a far cry from the claim that some vast conspiracy has officials determining outcomes at the league's insistence.

2. I explained my reasoning in another thread, but given that this investigation has been going on for a year now, I'd be absolutely shocked if we're talking about a high-profile official who called crucial playoff games. I suspect, frankly, that we're dealing with one of the middle-level referees -- someone who's been in the league for at least 5-10 years, but someone who doesn't normally officiate significant games. I'd be shocked if it's a name that everyone immediately recognizes.


Maybe so...Maybe it's not one of the more recognizable refs, but this will still fuel the conspiracy theories out there that the games are rigged. And maybe, this is the start of something bigger. What's to say it all ends with this one ref?
No matter what, this is going to further damage and already damaged reputation for the NBA.

[doldrums]

One would think she could trade sexual favors in exchange for forgiveness of gambling debts.

the most misogynist post I have read on these boards- what an idiotic statement

[Solid D]

Questions at this point:

Who ratted?

How long did the ratting go on; when did it start?


The first thing that came to mind when I read about this situation was current NBA ref, Bob Delaney. He was an undercover informant for several years and I remember seeing a TV piece on him a couple of years ago. He has been protected by police against the mob members he busted. That was prior to Bob becoming an NBA official, however. You can't really say that Bob was involved in this situation going on now...just by association to a previous life.

[justanotherspursfan]

Arent there 3 refs during the game??? I cant see ONE ref in a game changing the entire outcome, unless the game was tied going into the last minute or two.
Contra FWD, I think it would be easier if it were typically someone who was the senior official for a game.

In general, however, I expect the easiest way to affect the outcome is to put guys on the bench by keeping them in foul trouble with iffy fouls.

[Findog]

the most misogynist post I have read on these boards- what an idiotic statement

Take a Xanax and pipe down.

[monosylab1k]

the most misogynist post I have read on these boards- what an idiotic statement
you definitely don't visit the Troll forums then. and it wasn't even that bad, there was alot more truth to it than you'd want to admit.

[justanotherspursfan]

What if it was Joey Crawford? He worked all the way through the end of '05-06, but the investigation could have started last summer after the finals. After a seemingly inexplicable ejection that may have swung a game, he was suspended and conveniently excluded from the playoffs -- which would make sense if the NBA knew he was under investigation.

Honestly, I think this theory makes more sense than anything else based on what we know.

[td4mvp3]

:spin I said the same thing.

Cue the Mavericks fans and their 'the Finals were fixed' meltdown of the summer of 2007 in 3...2...1...
it's starting on the jennifer engal show, they were already talking about how game 3 looked fixed. what i'd love is if it turns out the guy reffed one of the first two mavs' victories.

[Oh, Gee!!]

What if it was Joey Crawford? He worked all the way through the end of '05-06, but the investigation could have started last summer after the finals. After a seemingly inexplicable ejection that may have swung a game he was suspended, and conveniently excluded from the playoffs -- which would make sense if the NBA knew he was under investigation.

Honestly, I think this theory makes more sense than anything else based on what we know.

supposedly it was a veteran ref who ref'd the past two seasons, so I guess crawford would fit into that category

[monosylab1k]

it's starting on the jennifer engal show, they were already talking about how game 3 looked fixed. what i'd love is if it turns out the guy reffed one of the first two mavs' victories.
jennifer engel is a stupid bitch. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not think that her stupid fucking opinions reflect the majority of Mavs fans. She's a media whore who will say anything to get her ratings up because The Ticket kicks her ass so bad.

[Switchman]

someone find the youtube video of the 06 finals bullshit calls?

[Findog]

it's starting on the jennifer engal show, they were already talking about how game 3 looked fixed. what i'd love is if it turns out the guy reffed one of the first two mavs' victories.

I don't know how you can listen to her. She says annoying things and she has the most annoying voice I've ever heard. And her "little ball of hate" schtick is tired and overplayed.

[td4mvp3]

I don't know how you can listen to her. She says annoying things and she has the most annoying voice I've ever heard. And her "little ball of hate" schtick is tired and overplayed.
i'm in wichita falls and there's nothing else on.

[Findog]

jennifer engel is a stupid bitch. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not think that her stupid fucking opinions reflect the majority of Mavs fans. She's a media whore who will say anything to get her ratings up because The Ticket kicks her ass so bad.

Hey, good luck with that. So far the only whining in this thread is coming from Spurs fans over the Dal-SAS 06 semifinals. Game 5 of the 2006 Finals was officiated in a heavily one-sided manner, you're a Heat or Spurs fan if you say otherwise, but I'll just chalk that up to Bennett Salvatore being a complete fucking moron who doesn't belong near a pickup game at the YMCA, much less the Finals. It didn't cost us the series.

[inconvertible]

knew it, told it to you guys, vindicated.

[td4mvp3]

actually i'm wondering, the story seems to focus on point spreads not so much who won or loss (i know zip about gambling, but i didn't think the two were synonymous). so maybe he makes sure some team gets an extra basket or so but not so much who wins? so the team winning by 8 maybe should have won by 6 or 12, something like that?

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

you definitely don't visit the Troll forums then. and it wasn't even that bad, there was alot more truth to it than you'd want to admit.
Word. Hell just search "mikejones99". In the club, the NBA forum, or wherever, it's all misogyny, all the time for him.

Hell, I think a far more misogynistic statement would be something like, "I imagine she could pay off her debt in blowjobs, because as a ref she sucks pretty bad."

Or perhaps, "It has to be Palmer. She makes the worst calls and unlike most women, she's too ugly to possibly whore herself out of this situation with sex."
(I do not condone or agree with either of the above statements, except that Palmer isn't much of a ref.)

As for the topic at hand, as usual, FWD hits the nail on the head. If Stern and the league are as anal retentive about monitoring the refs as they say I doubt they would have let a ref with any kind of suspicion anywhere near the playoffs. For that matter, if I'm a mobster I'd much rather have a ref that fits the profile he described in my pocket than say, Dick Bavetta. You can do just as much business with far less scrutiny by controlling the crew chief for the Hornets/Bobcats game as you would something more high profile. The last thing you'd want is to tip a playoff game in someone's favor too obviously with millions of media eyes watching. With the power of the net, if the wrong people decide to start going back over the game tape for your ref they could turn it into an overnight sensation and start pushing the league to start asking questions.

As for my theory, Salvatore is an Italian name, right? I rest my case.

[CosmicCowboy]

Again, there is a HUGE difference between shaving points to beat a spread and rigging games. It's very easy to call non shooting violations to create turnovers to make a game spread smaller or bigger without it being obvious...traveling, three seconds, moving screens, not calling blocking fouls etc. I suspect that most of the "game changing" bad calls you guys are talking about were just that...bad calls.

[monosylab1k]

If it's Salvatore, Mavs fans have no reason to complain much anyways. He's butchered games both in the Mavs favor and to their detriment.

[Solid D]

As for my theory, Salvatore is an Italian name, right? I rest my case.

:lol
Joe Forte
Brian Forte
Dick Bavetta
Joe DeRosa
Luis Grillo

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Approximately 30 NBA referees are currently shaking in their boots.

[Solid D]

I don't gamble and I don't condone any of this by any means, but for those of you who wonder if gambling sites keep stats like this, check this out:

(It's easier to read if you click on the link)

http://www.coverwire.com/basketball/refdata.htm

NBA 2006-07 Referee Data Name Gm Ov% Over Under Avg Tot Avg Foul
Gary Forest 2 1.000 2 0 206.5 49.0
Jim Clark 66 .651 41 22 202.6 47.6
Orlandis Poole 54 .627 32 19 200.9 44.3
Bennett Salvatore 61 .621 36 22 204.0 46.7
Tommy Nunez 61 .610 36 23 202.4 45.1
Zach Zarba 62 .610 36 23 201.2 44.5
Eric Lewis 55 .604 32 21 197.8 47.3
Tim Donaghy 66 .603 38 25 202.1 46.6
Derrick Collins 58 .600 33 22 201.5 45.6
Jeff Smith 5 .600 3 2 216.2 53.6
Jess Kersey 60 .589 33 23 200.3 44.1
Leon Wood 66 .578 37 27 199.0 45.2
Brian Forte 7 .571 4 3 209.4 47.7
Tom Washington 67 .561 37 29 198.9 45.7
Bernie Fryer 46 .558 24 19 203.2 45.1
Scott Wall 63 .557 34 27 195.5 44.1
Benny Adams 66 .556 35 28 199.1 45.4
David Guthrie 63 .554 31 25 196.9 44.3
Ron Garretson 69 .552 37 30 198.2 44.9
Michael Smith 63 .550 33 27 199.0 44.5
Dan Crawford 66 .548 34 28 198.7 42.6
Pat Fraher 67 .548 34 28 198.5 44.0
Bill Kennedy 70 .545 36 30 198.9 44.9
Greg Willard 67 .538 35 30 198.8 43.7
Mark Wunderlich 57 .537 29 25 198.5 43.9
Eddie F. Rush 69 .532 33 29 196.0 44.8
Gary Zielinski 64 .532 33 29 198.6 43.1
James Capers 68 .530 35 31 197.8 42.8
Leroy Richardson 54 .529 27 24 198.1 45.0
Tony Brothers 65 .524 33 30 195.0 42.9
Tony Brown 55 .509 27 26 197.6 45.9
Ely Roe 60 .509 29 28 198.5 44.6
Derrick Stafford 59 .500 27 27 201.2 45.8
Dick Bavetta 69 .500 33 33 198.1 46.0
Ed Malloy 64 .500 31 31 197.1 43.4
George Toliver 2 .500 1 1 201.0 49.5
Joe Forte 62 .500 30 30 195.0 45.6
Monty Mccutchen 65 .492 31 32 195.4 45.6
Robby Robinson 49 .489 23 24 197.4 44.6
Ron Olesiak 46 .489 22 23 193.7 44.0
Ken Mauer 67 .484 31 33 192.4 42.6
Scott Foster 69 .484 31 33 196.5 44.6
Marc Davis 63 .484 30 32 194.5 44.3
Violet Palmer 64 .483 29 31 194.4 44.7
Joe Derosa 64 .476 30 33 195.0 42.6
Mark Ayotte 55 .472 25 28 195.6 42.4
Matt Boland 61 .466 27 31 195.6 44.4
Bob Delaney 61 .458 27 32 195.9 44.7
Sean Wright 58 .455 25 30 195.6 44.5
Mike Callahan 71 .449 31 38 195.0 43.9
Steve Javie 58 .446 25 31 194.3 41.2
Derek Richardson 72 .443 31 39 196.4 44.5
Jack Nies 53 .442 23 29 197.2 42.1
Phil Robinson 70 .441 30 38 197.3 45.4
Jason Phillips 66 .435 27 35 196.7 44.6
- 34 .433 13 17 198.4 43.1
Rodney Mott 62 .417 25 35 197.0 45.0
Sean Corbin 64 .410 25 36 194.0 43.6
David Jones 61 .400 24 36 191.4 43.0
Courtney Kirkland 65 .393 24 37 195.7 42.1
Joe Crawford 42 .357 15 27 191.0 43.4
Kevin Fehr 60 .356 21 38 193.2 43.2
Luis Grillo 42 .350 14 26 194.1 45.4
Bill Spooner 3 .333 1 2 187.0 47.7
Curtis Blair 1 .000 0 1 181.0 43.0

[Oh, Gee!!]

For those of you who wonder if gambling sites keep stats like this, check this out:

http://www.coverwire.com/basketball/refdata.htm

gamblers are the best researchers on the planet by far

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

:lol
Joe Forte
Brian Forte
Dick Bavetta
Joe DeRosa
Luis Grillo
http://www.donaldsensing.com/Pix/0410/chicagoway.jpg
I knew it! That's all you need is one thieving wop on the team!

[samikeyp]

What about you? You stinkin' Irish...pig?
:)

[monosylab1k]

Again, there is a HUGE difference between shaving points to beat a spread and rigging games
No, there isn't. Shaving points can still affect the outcome of the game. If San Antonio is favored by 4 to beat Dallas, and this ref shaves points to ensure that San Antonio doesn't win by more than 4, this could still affect who wins and loses. What if Dallas gets hot at the end and wins it? What might have been a 20 point blowout by the Spurs could turn into a Mavericks win simply because a ref shaved points to cover the spread.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Crawford and Salvatore are both outliers on that list Solid referenced. So I guess there's hope!! :lol

[freemeat]

Rain Man says: "Joey Crawford. Definitely, Definitely Joey Crawford."

[Solid D]

No, there isn't. Shaving points can still affect the outcome of the game. If San Antonio is favored by 4 to beat Dallas, and this ref shaves points to ensure that San Antonio doesn't win by more than 4, this could still affect who wins and loses. What if Dallas gets hot at the end and wins it? What might have been a 20 point blowout by the Spurs could turn into a Mavericks win simply because a ref shaved points to cover the spread.

So, the Spurs could have led the league by even a greater average number for +/- Points Diffential?

[SpursFanFirst]

No, there isn't. Shaving points can still affect the outcome of the game. If San Antonio is favored by 4 to beat Dallas, and this ref shaves points to ensure that San Antonio doesn't win by more than 4, this could still affect who wins and loses. What if Dallas gets hot at the end and wins it? What might have been a 20 point blowout by the Spurs could turn into a Mavericks win simply because a ref shaved points to cover the spread.
Thank you...I agree. I was trying to think of a way to put something similar.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I just noticed that Dick Bavetta was 33-33 against the line. Seems a little too perfect if you ask me. Hmmmmmmm.

[SpursFanFirst]

I don't gamble and I don't condone any of this by any means, but for those of you who wonder if gambling sites keep stats like this, check this out:

(It's easier to read if you click on the link)

http://www.coverwire.com/basketball/refdata.htm

NBA 2006-07 Referee Data Name Gm Ov% Over Under Avg Tot Avg Foul
Gary Forest 2 1.000 2 0 206.5 49.0
Jim Clark 66 .651 41 22 202.6 47.6
Orlandis Poole 54 .627 32 19 200.9 44.3
Bennett Salvatore 61 .621 36 22 204.0 46.7
Tommy Nunez 61 .610 36 23 202.4 45.1
Zach Zarba 62 .610 36 23 201.2 44.5
Eric Lewis 55 .604 32 21 197.8 47.3
Tim Donaghy 66 .603 38 25 202.1 46.6
Derrick Collins 58 .600 33 22 201.5 45.6
Jeff Smith 5 .600 3 2 216.2 53.6
Jess Kersey 60 .589 33 23 200.3 44.1
Leon Wood 66 .578 37 27 199.0 45.2
Brian Forte 7 .571 4 3 209.4 47.7
Tom Washington 67 .561 37 29 198.9 45.7
Bernie Fryer 46 .558 24 19 203.2 45.1
Scott Wall 63 .557 34 27 195.5 44.1
Benny Adams 66 .556 35 28 199.1 45.4
David Guthrie 63 .554 31 25 196.9 44.3
Ron Garretson 69 .552 37 30 198.2 44.9
Michael Smith 63 .550 33 27 199.0 44.5
Dan Crawford 66 .548 34 28 198.7 42.6
Pat Fraher 67 .548 34 28 198.5 44.0
Bill Kennedy 70 .545 36 30 198.9 44.9
Greg Willard 67 .538 35 30 198.8 43.7
Mark Wunderlich 57 .537 29 25 198.5 43.9
Eddie F. Rush 69 .532 33 29 196.0 44.8
Gary Zielinski 64 .532 33 29 198.6 43.1
James Capers 68 .530 35 31 197.8 42.8
Leroy Richardson 54 .529 27 24 198.1 45.0
Tony Brothers 65 .524 33 30 195.0 42.9
Tony Brown 55 .509 27 26 197.6 45.9
Ely Roe 60 .509 29 28 198.5 44.6
Derrick Stafford 59 .500 27 27 201.2 45.8
Dick Bavetta 69 .500 33 33 198.1 46.0
Ed Malloy 64 .500 31 31 197.1 43.4
George Toliver 2 .500 1 1 201.0 49.5
Joe Forte 62 .500 30 30 195.0 45.6
Monty Mccutchen 65 .492 31 32 195.4 45.6
Robby Robinson 49 .489 23 24 197.4 44.6
Ron Olesiak 46 .489 22 23 193.7 44.0
Ken Mauer 67 .484 31 33 192.4 42.6
Scott Foster 69 .484 31 33 196.5 44.6
Marc Davis 63 .484 30 32 194.5 44.3
Violet Palmer 64 .483 29 31 194.4 44.7
Joe Derosa 64 .476 30 33 195.0 42.6
Mark Ayotte 55 .472 25 28 195.6 42.4
Matt Boland 61 .466 27 31 195.6 44.4
Bob Delaney 61 .458 27 32 195.9 44.7
Sean Wright 58 .455 25 30 195.6 44.5
Mike Callahan 71 .449 31 38 195.0 43.9
Steve Javie 58 .446 25 31 194.3 41.2
Derek Richardson 72 .443 31 39 196.4 44.5
Jack Nies 53 .442 23 29 197.2 42.1
Phil Robinson 70 .441 30 38 197.3 45.4
Jason Phillips 66 .435 27 35 196.7 44.6
- 34 .433 13 17 198.4 43.1
Rodney Mott 62 .417 25 35 197.0 45.0
Sean Corbin 64 .410 25 36 194.0 43.6
David Jones 61 .400 24 36 191.4 43.0
Courtney Kirkland 65 .393 24 37 195.7 42.1
Joe Crawford 42 .357 15 27 191.0 43.4
Kevin Fehr 60 .356 21 38 193.2 43.2
Luis Grillo 42 .350 14 26 194.1 45.4
Bill Spooner 3 .333 1 2 187.0 47.7
Curtis Blair 1 .000 0 1 181.0 43.0

So what is your take on this? I don't necessarily understand all of that.

[maxpower]

Unfortunately refs don't have to make incorrect calls to influence the game. They just make more or less of the calls that many times get overlooked. There are tons of holding calls during the game which do not necessarily affect the outcome of the play which can be called at any given moment.

I wonder which refs make their home in the big apple. First thing I thought when i heard this from a coworker was it had to be in the east coast and then I thought it had to be a ref who lived in the east coast.

[inconvertible]

this should allow the spurs to repeat.

[inconvertible]

this should allow the spurs to finally repeat.

[td4mvp3]

No, there isn't. Shaving points can still affect the outcome of the game. If San Antonio is favored by 4 to beat Dallas, and this ref shaves points to ensure that San Antonio doesn't win by more than 4, this could still affect who wins and loses. What if Dallas gets hot at the end and wins it? What might have been a 20 point blowout by the Spurs could turn into a Mavericks win simply because a ref shaved points to cover the spread.


Just look at the last two games of the NBA Finals, both were won by the Spurs without too much sweat but there were plays in the final seconds of both that determined winners and losers when it came to the spread. In Game 3, after LeBron James missed a 3-pointer that would've tied the game, Zydrunas Ilgauskas threw in a jump shot that appeared to be before the buzzer. It was meaningless because the Cavs needed three points, so it wasn't counted and wasn't reviewed. But not meaningless in Vegas, where the spread was 2.5 points. In Game 4, with the Cavs down by four points, Damon Jones tossed in 3-pointer at the buzzer. It made no difference to the Spurs, who were out celebrating at midcourt, or the Cavs, who had just been swept. But that hoop allowed the Cavs to cover. Now, those are just examples of the last two NBA games played.

I think the average margin of victory in the NBA last season was something like 3.5 points -- don't quote me on that, I can't find the research at the moment on the net -- but know that it is close. So a referee who is aware of the spread and aware of where he needs it to come down can make calls that may not determine the outcome but can change fortunes. With so many fouls and so many free throws in NBA games, it could so easily be done without notice. An official can call a handcheck foul or a loose ball foul virtually on every possession if he wanted to. Especially if it is a game that is largely decided -- say, a six-point game with 12 seconds to go. This situation happens almost every night in the NBA.

i think this would be the most likely approach, not something that would garner a lot of attention and hell, probably not any of the big games folks would be following precisely because so many folks would be watching that something untoward would get too much attention and ruin the whole setup. but i guess they got found out some way.

[BobcatsDynasty]

I could see this coming from a mile away. All these fluke teams winning fluke games, getting fluke playoff seedings and fluke championships because of crooked refs. I fully expect Charlotte to dominate in the new look NBA next season.

[Oh, Gee!!]

I could see this coming from a mile away. All these fluke teams winning fluke games, getting fluke playoff seedings and fluke championships because of crooked refs. I fully expect Charlotte to dominate in the new look NBA next season.

now nothing stands in the way of Bobcat nation. roar!!!!

[ancestron]

nba message boards are lighting up with suns fans and their "see i told you so! The NBA is fixed!" crap. oh brother.....

[Extra Stout]

Why are you still reading Suns boards? Obsessed?

[BobcatsDynasty]

now nothing stands in the way of Bobcat nation. roar!!!!
They'll be beating teams they're supposed to beat.

[ancestron]

im not reading suns boards. im reading NBA boards.

[bdictjames]

That's dumb.

What if they found out that the ref was actually helping both the Suns and Mavs to 60-win seasons and 15+ game winning streaks? LOL

[jmard5]

NBA Referee With 'Gambling Problem' Under FBI Investigation for Betting on Games

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,290124,00.html

NEW YORK — The FBI is investigating allegations that a veteran NBA referee bet on basketball games over the past two seasons, including ones in which he officiated.

According to a law enforcement official, authorities are examining whether the referee made calls to affect the point spread in games on which he or associates had wagered.

The law enforcement official, who spoke to the AP on Friday on condition of anonymity, said the referee was aware of the investigation and had made arrangements to surrender as early as next week to face charges. The official, who did not identify the referee, is familiar with the investigation but was not authorized to speak publicly about the ongoing investigation.

The law enforcement official said the bets involved thousands of dollars and were made on games during the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons.

The probe, which began recently, also involves allegations that the referee had connections to organized crime associates. Other arrests are expected, the official said.

The referee had a gambling problem, according to the official, and was approached by low-level mob associates through an acquaintance.

The investigation first was reported Friday by the New York Post.

[Kori Ellis]

I'm going to guess it's one of the younger refs, yet someone who has been around a while and is not talked about much.

[dbestpro]

They'll be beating teams they're supposed to beat.
Does Charlotte have the UTSA Roadrunners on their schedule?

[Solid D]

nba message boards are lighting up with suns fans and their "see i told you so! The NBA is fixed!" crap. oh brother.....

Just ignore them or tell them "What goes around, comes around". Fill in the blanks.

Who knew Raja Bell would be called, by come critics, the pivotal player of the 2006 Western Conference playoffs? Now he's the guy known for "The Clothesline"

Who knew Robert Horry would be called, by some critics, the pivotal player of the 2007 Western Conference playoffs? Now he's the guy known for "The Hipcheck"

and watch the anthill overflow with angry ants.

[judaspriestess]

WHERE IS LAKER LANNY???????

This does prove if true that ANY sport can be fixed. And for anyone to believe that it could never happen is simply naive.

[FromWayDowntown]

I'll mention this: in looking at who got playoff assignments over the last two seasons, there is one curious thing that I can't really account for -- Bill Spooner went from calling 7 playoff games in 2006, including one conference finals game, to not calling any playoff games (at least that I can find) in 2007. It would also appear from Solid D's numbers that Spooner called an absurdly low number of games in 2006-07 for a guy with his credentials. I also don't recall hearing that Spooner had gotten injured.

For whatever that's worth.

[KEDA]

so does this mean that all teams get an asterisk?

[CosmicCowboy]

I'll mention this: in looking at who got playoff assignments over the last two seasons, there is one curious thing that I can't really account for -- Bill Spooner went from calling 7 playoff games in 2006, including one conference finals game, to not calling any playoff games (at least that I can find) in 2007. It would also appear from Solid D's numbers that Spooner called an absurdly low number of games in 2006-07 for a guy with his credentials. I also don't recall hearing that Spooner had gotten injured.

For whatever that's worth.

hmmmmmmmm...

So, if Stern knew/suspected and kept it in house without notifying law enforcement is he a co-conspirator?

[Findog]

so does this mean that all teams get an asterisk?

No, only the Spurs get the *, and only in games in which they played the Suns. Everything else is on the up and up.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Well, bye-bye Vegas franchise.

[FromWayDowntown]

hmmmmmmmm...

So, if Stern knew/suspected and kept it in house without notifying law enforcement is he a co-conspirator?

I don't think so. I think that if the numbers from that site that Solid D posted are correct -- and if my deduction has any credibility at all -- it suggests to me that perhaps suspicion was cast upon that official sometime early in the 2006-07 season and that as soon as such suspicion was cast, he was no longer officiating NBA games.

I stress that this is all a gigantic guess on my part, trying to piece together some highly circumstantial evidence and relying in part on numbers that I can't vouch to be accurate. I don't have time to scour every NBA boxscore from this season to see if Spooner called more than 3 games. If he did, I'd say that my hypothesis would most likely be invalid -- it would be just as likely that Spooner didn't get playoff assignments because the league deemed him to be an inadequate official.

But, if you're looking for an official who carried enough clout to really make a difference in games and one who's statistical footprint looks kind of odd right now, Spooner would certainly be a candidate.

[The Truth #6]

This KILLS any team going to Las Vegas while Stern is Commissioner. At least I would think so given his previous concerns.

[braeden0613]

my money is on zach zarba..the youngest ref in the nba

i was just dumbfounded during some games with the calls he would make...i thought maybe it was just because he was new

[E20]

It's probably some unknown rookie ref.

[Admiral Ackbar]

The NBA...

It's a trap!

[LakerLanny]

WHERE IS LAKER LANNY???????

This does prove if true that ANY sport can be fixed. And for anyone to believe that it could never happen is simply naive.

No surprise to me at all.

And if anyone thinks it is just one ref manipulating things, I've got a bridge in Brooklyn for sale.

[BacktoBasics]

Point shaving and stretching is quiet a bit different than fixing games. I think it would be nearly impossible to "fix" a game. Alter it a bit...yes. Fix a game....no.

[Solid D]

Did Mr. Body already have the inside scoop on this?
:smokin

[TDMVPDPOY]

During the lakers 3 peat, where you cant win a game on their HCA, wtf was refin their games = fix

[Avitus1]

Joey Crawford is about to get in a lot more trouble.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

nba message boards are lighting up with suns fans and their "see i told you so! The NBA is fixed!" crap. oh brother.....

No one cares. Quit reading Suns boards.

[ShoogarBear]

Maybe this is why they're bringing Joey back.

[Slinkyman]

NBA referee Tim Donaghy is under investigation by the FBI for allegations that he bet on games that he officiated over the past two seasons and that he made calls affecting the point spread in games, multiple sources told ESPN.

Donaghy, a 13-year veteran of the league, is aware of the investigation and resigned from the NBA recently.

The NBA issued a brief statement Friday, saying: "We have been asked by the FBI, with whom we are working closely, not to comment on this matter at this time."

According to a law enforcement official, authorities are examining whether Donaghy -- whose identity was not revealed until Friday afternoon -- made calls to affect the point spread in games on which he or associates had wagered.

Tim Donaghy

Donaghy

The law enforcement official, who spoke to The Associated Press on Friday on condition of anonymity, said the referee was aware of the investigation and had made arrangements to surrender as early as next week to face charges. The official, who did not identify the referee, is familiar with the investigation but was not authorized to speak publicly about the ongoing investigation.

The investigation first was reported Friday by the New York Post.

The law enforcement official said the bets involved thousands of dollars and were made on games during the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons.

The FBI probe, which began recently, also involves allegations that the referee had connections to organized crime associates. Other arrests are expected, the official said.

The referee had a gambling problem, according to the official, and was approached by low-level mob associates through an acquaintance.

Nevada gambling regulators were not involved in an investigation and had no information about the allegations, said Jerry Markling, enforcement chief for the state Gaming Commission and Gaming Control Board.

Jay Kornegay, executive director of the sports book at the Las Vegas Hilton, said he had never seen any unusual activity in NBA betting, and was surprised not to have heard about an investigation until Friday.

"Whispers would have happened on the street, and we would have heard something," Kornegay said. "Any type of suspicious or unusual movements, you usually hear in the industry. We're so regulated and policed, any kind of suspicion would be discussed.

"We haven't seen anything like that in the NBA that I can remember," he said, "and we haven't been contacted by anybody."

Kornegay said legal sports betting in Nevada represents a fraction of sports betting worldwide, with 98.5 percent of all action taken outside the state. Clayton cited a 2005 estimate by the National Gambling Impact Study Commission that found $380 billion is wagered on illegal sports betting, compared with $2.25 billion in legal sports betting in Nevada.

Gambling long has been a problem in sports, and leagues have made a point of educating players of the potential pitfalls. The NBA, for example, discusses gambling at rookie orientation, even bringing in former mobster Michael Franceze to speak.

NBA commissioner David Stern had long objected to putting a team in Las Vegas because it permits betting on basketball, though earlier this year allowed Mayor Oscar Goodman to submit a proposal to owners on how the city would handle wagering on a team if it moved there.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2943095

[Despot]

I doubt the FBI would have notified the league they were investigating this ref until they were ready to arrest him.

I also doubt that if Stern knew this was going to come out, he would not have reinstated Crawford (not saying he is the one being investigated), who is the only ref in the last 20 years to have a reason to question his impartiality.

[FromWayDowntown]

Hmmm. Donaghy. That's interesting, but it also makes a lot of sense now that I think about it a bit.

I was wrong to go off on Spooner.

[Spurminator]

This is probably getting way too much speculation as far as it's affects on the League itself, but from an individual standpoint (if guilty) this is worse than Pete Rose.

[objective]

he reffed game 3 against phx all i could find so far

[FromWayDowntown]

This is probably getting way too much speculation as far as it's affects on the League itself, but from an individual standpoint (if guilty) this is worse than Pete Rose.

I agree with that on both counts. I don't suspect the league had any idea about something like this and I don't think there's some league-wide effort to alter the outcomes of games, despite what the conspiracy theorists among us might choose to believe. Again, this strikes me as a matter involving a single official who started gambling and got in too deep. That's not an NBA-wide problem; it's a single official problem that doesn't have one thing to do with the way in which the league runs its games.

[Despot]

Where can we find a list of games that he has reffed?

[Spurminator]

For those wondering, Donaghy reffed one Spurs game during the Playoffs:

WCSF Game 3: Spurs over Suns 108-101

[Spurminator]

For those wondering, Donaghy reffed one Spurs game during the Playoffs:

WCSF Game 3: Spurs over Suns 108-101

Which means that clearly the mob influenced the decision to keep Bruce Bowen in the game after viciously hurling his knee into Steve Nash's manhood.

[objective]

he did Spurs vs Kings game 4 last season, Spurs lost by 18

[ShoogarBear]

he did Spurs vs Kings game 4 last season, Spurs lost by 18But did they cover?

[FromWayDowntown]

Which means that clearly the mob influenced the decision to keep Bruce Bowen in the game after viciously hurling his knee into Steve Nash's manhood.

I know what you're saying. I'll note, though, that it was Ed Rush, IIRC, who refused to do anything more than assess an offensive foul.

[YODA]

For those wondering, Donaghy reffed one Spurs game during the Playoffs:

WCSF Game 3: Spurs over Suns 108-101


correct me if im wrong,,,but isnt that the game they got a huge lead, then saw it evaporate? i wonder what the point spred was ont hat game.

Yoda
Do or do not...there is no try

[monosylab1k]

If you think he's the only ref betting on games, you're crazy.

You think Pete Rose was the only player or manager betting on baseball?

[objective]

good news is he never reffed any Finals games.

Easily predictable considering how long (or short in this case) he's been an NBA ref.

The Finals guys were all around for a million years before getting allowed to be in the Finals.

[Kori Ellis]

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/64331 Lakers over Suns 99-92 - 4/27/06

He ejected Pop this last January against the Hornets - http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA012007.01C.BKNspurs.hornets.gamer.1abb0b2.html

He's also the ref that Rasheed confronted outside the Rose Garden back in the day and Rasheed got suspended for 7 games

[objective]

----------

He didn't do any WCF games the last two years either.

2nd round is as far as he got as far as I can tell.

[monosylab1k]

----------

He didn't do any WCF games the last two years either.

2nd round is as far as he got as far as I can tell.
Did he do any Mavs-Spurs games?

[Kori Ellis]

This site tells you how many games he ref'd each season, if the teams beat the spread, etc.

http://www.covers.com/pageLoader/pageLoader.aspx?page=/data/nba/referees/2006-2007/referee403935.html&t=0

You can pull down the menu and change the season.

[FromWayDowntown]

correct me if im wrong,,,but isnt that the game they got a huge lead, then saw it evaporate? i wonder what the point spred was ont hat game.

ESPN's schedule page says the line was Spurs -4.

If you wanted to see a game that might implicate Donaghy, the January 19 game between the Spurs and Hornets could be one. In that game, the Spurs were 16 point favorites against a Hornets team playing without several of its top players, including Chris Paul. At the end of that game, Donaghy doled out several technical fouls to Hornets players for things that are rarely punished in NBA games:


With one minute left in the game, the Hornets' Desmond Mason, who had 11 points, was ejected when he slammed the ball to the floor after being called for an offensive foul. Chris Paul, who was on the bench wearing street clothes, was ejected, too, for jawing at the officials after Mason was booted.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=270119024

I vividly recall Donaghy being the official who tossed Paul. I don't remember if he put the T on Mason, too; but it would make sense that he would have been the official who was taking heat for the Mason T. The Express-News story that Kori linked above says that Paul only said "That's crazy."

It's also possible that he was just trying to protect himself from being caught, too; he ran Popovich out that night.

In any event, the Spurs won the game by 13, but didn't cover -- at least according to the line reflected on ESPN's schedule page; who knows if a better line was available from other sources.

[objective]

he did PHX-LA 2006 game 3, a 7 point win for LA

[SAGambler]

No, there isn't. Shaving points can still affect the outcome of the game. If San Antonio is favored by 4 to beat Dallas, and this ref shaves points to ensure that San Antonio doesn't win by more than 4, this could still affect who wins and loses. What if Dallas gets hot at the end and wins it? What might have been a 20 point blowout by the Spurs could turn into a Mavericks win simply because a ref shaved points to cover the spread.

While that is true, it would be better to shave points in a game with a much larger point spread. 3 or 4 doesn't allow you much leeway to be certain that you get it under that. A game with say an 11 or 12 point spread would be much easier to control without making it obvious what you are doing. I would think that calling shooting fouls near the end of the game would be the easiest way for a ref to control where the point spread ends up.

[Findog]

Did he do any Mavs-Spurs games?

No, not the 2006 playoff series. In fact, he didn't work a single game during our 06 run to the finals. He was part of the crew for Game 3 of the Warriors series, FWIW, a blowout win for Golden State.

[Despot]

Isn't the problem of finding which games he shaved dependant on knowing whether he wanted a certain team to beat the spread, or not? We don't know how the mob wanted the cover to end up.

Also, the bookies can make their own lines to make a bet supposedly more enticing.

[florige]

Looks like someone else besides Vick is sweating bulllets right about now. So is everyone convinced that Donaghy is the culprit?

Oops nevermind just saw that is is Donaghy.

[SAntonio!]

oh sorry kori

[Kori Ellis]

Oh shit check this out..




http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/64331

I linked to that article on the previous page of this thread. :)

[tlongII]

I remember the game where Sheed got suspended for 7 games after he threatened Donaghy at the loading dock of the Rose Garden. Donaghy was HORRIBLE! He was so biased in his officiating it was ridiculous.

I can hear Sheed now... "Jail don't lie!"

[LakerLanny]

I linked to that article on the previous page of this thread. :)

Do you believe me now Kori? :lol

I remember in the old days you telling me this was impossible.

Anyone who witnessed the Pistons-Lakers series (four straight jump ball violations called on the Lakers on the opening tip of the first four games of the NBA Finals) already knew something was rotten in Denmark.

Really, how much more obvious can it be that certain games are orchestrated to fall a certain way by the officials?

I won't say I told you so, but I told you so.

[tlongII]

Do you believe me now Kori? :lol

I remember in the old days you telling me this was impossible.

Anyone who witnessed the Pistons-Lakers series (four straight jump ball violations called on the Lakers on the opening tip of the first four games of the NBA Finals) already knew something was rotten in Denmark.

Really, how much more obvious can it be that certain games are orchestrated to fall a certain way by the officials?

I won't say I told you so, but I told you so.

Not to mention game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference Finals. Just an unbelievable disparity of foul calls....especially in the 4th quarter. Anybody that doesn't think the refs had something to do with the Lakers coming back from that big deficit needs to have their head examined.

[ShoogarBear]

I can hear Sheed now... "Jail don't lie!":rollin

[FromWayDowntown]

Anyone who witnessed the Pistons-Lakers series (four straight jump ball violations called on the Lakers on the opening tip of the first four games of the NBA Finals) already knew something was rotten in Denmark.

Aside from the fact that the play-by-plays of that series don't reflect jumpball violations on the opening tip of any game, somehow, I don't think a violation called on the opening tip played any part in the Lakers losing the 3 games in Detroit that year.


Really, how much more obvious can it be that certain games are orchestrated to fall a certain way by the officials?

You're taking a story about a single official who was doing the will of mobsters, not the NBA, and suggesting a leaguewide conspiracy. That's ridiculous. It's almost as ridiculous as your long-since debunked claim that the 2003 Spurs had the greatest free throw attempt advantage of any NBA champion.

[Findog]

Not to mention game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference Finals. Just an unbelievable disparity of foul calls....especially in the 4th quarter. Anybody that doesn't think the refs had something to do with the Lakers coming back from that big deficit needs to have their head examined.

Or Game 6 of the Kings-Lakers series.

[LakerLanny]

Not to mention game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference Finals. Just an unbelievable disparity of foul calls....especially in the 4th quarter. Anybody that doesn't think the refs had something to do with the Lakers coming back from that big deficit needs to have their head examined.

The only call that was even questionable was the one blocking call late in the game I think on Steve Smith if I remember right.

The rest was destiny....well, that and an unbelievable choke job by the Blazers. :toast

[LakerLanny]

Aside from the fact that the play-by-plays of that series don't reflect jumpball violations on the opening tip of any game, somehow, I don't think a violation called on the opening tip played any part in the Lakers losing the 3 games in Detroit that year.




Wait a minute....are you saying there were not jump ball violations called against the Lakers in each of the first four games of the NBA Finals that season?

If so, either you didn't watch the series, don't remember or are simply biased.

Those calls were a foreshadowing of how each game was called, huge FT attempt differentials in favor of the Pistons, Lakers getting called for touch fouls in the backcourt.

It was fixed, so blatantly and obviously as to be transparent.

Oh and if you want to bet me on the jump ball violations, let me know. :madrun

[ShoogarBear]

I remember the jump ball violations.

But it's ludicrous to suggest that was a sign of fixing the games.

[IceColdBrewski]

Wait a minute....are you saying there were not jump ball violations called against the Lakers in each of the first four games of the NBA Finals that season?

If so, either you didn't watch the series, don't remember or are simply biased.

Those calls were a foreshadowing of how each game was called, huge FT attempt differentials in favor of the Pistons, Lakers getting called for touch fouls in the backcourt.

It was fixed, so blatantly and obviously as to be transparent.

Oh and if you want to bet me on the jump ball violations, let me know. :madrun

Too funny. As soon as I saw this topic, I knew Laker fans would be running around whining about conspiracy theories. They've definitely become the biggest whiners in the NBA.

[Marcus Bryant]

I remember the jump ball violations.

But it's ludicrous to suggest that was a sign of fixing the games.

Maybe the ref made a prop bet.

[FromWayDowntown]

Wait a minute....are you saying there were not jump ball violations called against the Lakers in each of the first four games of the NBA Finals that season?

If so, either you didn't watch the series, don't remember or are simply biased.

I'm saying that the play-by-plays of the games don't reflect the calls you're referring to. More importantly, though, I'm saying that you're full of nonsense if you really believe that a series of jumpball violations is somehow indicative of a fix.

As for the rest of your garbage, I obviously believe quite differently than you do. You still haven't begun to show me that one official's suspected association with organized crime figures as a result of his own gambling problems is evidence that every official in the league is dictating outcomes of games on a routine basis. Until you can provide me with some proof of that -- something other than your every-post crap about the Lakers somehow getting screwed by officials every time an opponent shoots more free throws -- I'm not inclined to agree in any sense with your arguments about some pervasive conspiracy to fix NBA games.

Sell that crap at Lakersground or wherever it is that your takes aren't ever questioned.


Oh and if you want to bet me on the jump ball violations, let me know

LakerLanny is Tim Donaghy?

[Spurminator]

:wtf

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/sportsnation/polling?event_id=3039


4) If it is proven, what should happen to NBA referees?

- Just that one referee should be fired
- All current referees should be let go and the NBA should start over
- I have no opinion

Seriously, who writes these polls for ESPN???

[whottt]

Well if he kept Malone from getting a ring at least his corruption served a noble cause ;)


Was he also the reason Kobe started playing 1 on 5?

[ploto]

I know he reffed Toronto in New Jersey (of all places) game 6 Eastern Conference First Round. New Jersey did not beat the spread- but how do you know which way they wanted it to turnout, if true. Seems like most people thought they would after the blowouts in NJ in G 3 & 4.

[Oh, Gee!!]

2007 SPURS vs. SUNS GAME 3

http://www.nba.com/games/20070512/PHXSAS/gameinfo.html

Officials:
#21 Tim Donaghy
#32 Eddie F. Rush
#57 Greg Willard

This was the game where Amare was in foul trouble and D'Antoni picked up a technical with 7 minutes in the game. The Spurs took like 9 more free throws than the Suns

[MoSpur]

This is old news. What breaking news is next? That boxing may also be controlled by the mob?

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

2007 SPURS vs. SUNS GAME 3

http://www.nba.com/games/20070512/PHXSAS/gameinfo.html

Officials:
#21 Tim Donaghy
#32 Eddie F. Rush
#57 Greg Willard

This was the game where Amare was in foul trouble and D'Antoni picked up a technical with 7 minutes in the game. The Spurs took like 9 more free throws than the Suns
D'Antoni? Italian??? Donaghy must be working for the Yakuza.

[timvp]

This won't be good for the NBA. The media already looks for anything it can to try to tear the NBA down. This will just give the media more ammunition.

However, Tim Donaghy isn't that huge of a name. His not a no name ref but he's nowhere near a Bavetta or even Salvatore.

What's funny is Pop always hated Donaghy. He'd ride his azz every game he was on the crew. Pop is probably the least shocked person in the league.

And yeah, shading for a spread because you got in too deep with the mob is a whole hell of a lot different than following some secret David Stern plot. Those dots don't even connect.

Hopefully this leads to more strict rules and regulations regarding refs. The NBA should not only do background checks but also regular and random checks to see who refs are associating with. These guys are paid big bucks to be impartial.

I feel kinda bad for Donaghy because he was actually a good ref in his early years. But lately, now that I think about it, he had started to fall off.

[inconvertible]

No surprise to me at all.

And if anyone thinks it is just one ref manipulating things, I've got a bridge in Brooklyn for sale.


LakerLanny............VINDICATED.

[Oh, Gee!!]

This is old news.

Is it really? I know I've heard the conspiracy theories about Stern fixing games so big market teams are more likely to win, but I had never heard about a points-shaving scheme in the NBA.

[timvp]

I remember the game where Sheed got suspended for 7 games after he threatened Donaghy at the loading dock of the Rose Garden. Donaghy was HORRIBLE! He was so biased in his officiating it was ridiculous.

I can hear Sheed now... "Jail don't lie!"

:lol

Classic.

[MoSpur]

Is it really? I know I've heard the conspiracy theories about Stern fixing games so big market teams are more likely to win, but I had never heard about a points-shaving scheme in the NBA.

I think the Mob being invovled in sports was big back in the day, but never doubted the Mob being involved in sports today. All sports. Its not that hard to shave points.

[Oh, Gee!!]

I think the Mob being invovled in sports was big back in the day, but never doubted the Mob being involved in sports today. All sports. Its not that hard to shave points.


you must be connected or something to have such a deep understanding of the mob and its schemes

[MoSpur]

you must be connected or something to have such a deep understanding of the mob and its schemes

:lol

Yeah. That's it.

[MoSpur]

David Stern is not a happy camper right now. He has worked hard to keep a clean image for the NBA and now this happens. Bud Selig and Roger Gooddell must be kind of happy right now.

[judaspriestess]

This KILLS any team going to Las Vegas while Stern is Commissioner. At least I would think so given his previous concerns.

you can't bet on UNLV games in Vegas I'm sure any team coming here would have the same limitation.

[PM5K]

But lately, now that I think about it, he had started to fall off.

LMFAO..

Lately, now that I've heard he was shaving points, I realized he started to fall off....

[judaspriestess]

No surprise to me at all.

And if anyone thinks it is just one ref manipulating things, I've got a bridge in Brooklyn for sale.

the lakers have benefited more than any other team as far as manipulating Lanny, be real.

[Spurs Brazil]

The Donaghy Fileposted: Friday, July 20, 2007 | Print Entry

I've had the opportunity to speak with a good number of NBA referees throughout my journalism career, oftentimes as a pool reporter getting an explanation for a rules interpretation, other times in more casual settings such as a hotel bar or concierge lounge.

In those latter encounters, different refs have dispensed differing amounts of information, but one topic they all have enjoyed kvetching about is their perceptions, and the public's perceptions, of specific referees. In other words, they enjoy gossiping about one another.

One topic that never got old in my conversations with referees over the past 2½ years was the brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills, which was officiated by Ronnie Garretson, Tommy Nunez Jr. and Tim Donaghy -- the latter of whom has been identified as the referee under investigation by the FBI for allegedly gambling on games he officiated.

Now, I had never heard any kind of allegations related to gambling, and to be extra clear, we don't have any available evidence that there was intentional tampering going on here. But I did hear a number of complaints about the way the officiating crew handled -- or mishandled, as the case might be -- the bedlam that broke out at the Palace on Nov. 19, 2004, after Ben Wallace, then of the Pistons, shoved Ron Artest, then of the Pacers, to incite one of the ugliest brawls in American sports history.

The feeling among many referees was that Garretson and Donaghy, the two senior referees, could have been much more assertive in calming things down before the incident hit its flash point when a fan threw a cup of ice at Artest as he lay prone on the scorer's table. The NBA has never divulged whether Garretson, Donaghy or Nunez were disciplined for their handling of the brawl, but I can assure you that several referees who did not work the game found fault with what appeared to them to be a lackadaisical approach toward controlling a situation that quickly spun violently out of control. I've reviewed raw ESPN videotape of the brawl at our offices in Bristol, and I have to say the complaints about Garretson and Donaghy seem to have merit.

Donaghy also was involved in another controversy a few years back when he engaged in a shouting match with Rasheed Wallace on the loading dock of The Rose Garden in Portland, an incident that led to a seven-game suspension for Wallace, who was then with the Portland Trail Blazers. Donaghy and the two other referees who had worked that game passed by Wallace as they walked to their cars, and Wallace was said to have threatened Donaghy, who had assessed him a technical foul earlier that night during a Grizzlies-Blazers game.


Donaghy, a baby-faced 40, is one of four NBA referees to have graduated from Cardinal O'Hara high school in Philadelphia. The others are Joey Crawford, Mike Callahan and Ed Malloy.


http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=2943705&name=sheridan_chris

[timvp]

LMFAO..

Lately, now that I've heard he was shaving points, I realized he started to fall off....

LMFAO..

It's called watching NBA games and noticing the bad refs.

[PM5K]

LMFAO..

It's called watching NBA games and noticing the bad refs.

Noticing afterwards...

[timvp]

Solid D ahead of the curve yet again. (http://spurstalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=839967&postcount=257)

:smokin

[timvp]

Noticing afterwards...

My bad. Next time I will try to out the refs before the FBI does.

[PM5K]

My bad. Next time I will try to out the refs before the FBI does.

I knew about this over a year ago, but I didn't want to say anything....

[timvp]

Hmmm. Donaghy. That's interesting, but it also makes a lot of sense now that I think about it a bit. Being the resident referee expert, is there anything else you can point to Donaghy that makes this not too surprising? Did you ref less games this year in the playoffs than usual?

I noticed a decline in his effectiveness. And it seems like he's called a lot more technical fouls in the last couple years.

Have you also noticed a decline in his abilities as of late?

Pop has hated him recently. CIA > FBI?

:smokin

[timvp]

I knew about this over a year ago, but I didn't want to say anything....Hopefully you at least cashed in on the right spreads.

[FromWayDowntown]

LMFAO..

It's called watching NBA games and noticing the bad refs.

I think the thing that is most damning about Donaghy here is the fact that if you paid attention, as timvp noted earlier, you could see a few years ago that he was a good official who was earning his stripes and working his way up the NBA ladder.

Of late, though, he had become something of a Javie-like crumudgeon -- it seemed like he made more and more bad calls and that he had a very short fuse with those who questioned his bad calls. When Javie was younger, he was like that, but I think that had a lot to do with his desire to be in control of things and a willingness to piss people off if they slighted him.

With Donaghy, in many cases, it seemed that he wasn't even close to making the right call and wouldn't hear any complaints from the team that was adversely affected. I had chalked some of that up to crew assignments (some crews call games very differently than others) and I had considered the possiblity that he had grown to consider himself bigger than the game (Javie of a few years ago; Joey Crawford of late). But as I sit and think about it more, that exchange with Chris Paul last January in San Antonio, to me, was one that exemplifies the decline in Donaghy's efforts.

I don't think those bad calls ever cost a team a game -- not that I can remember -- but I can see where someone like Pop would find the calls maddeningly inconsistent and would be even more pissed that the official wouldn't even try to defend his call. Pop strikes me as someone who's all about intellectual honesty, and officials manipulating games with choice calls are decidedly not about that.

It's easier for me to say that now, of course, and I'll admit that I've continued to view him as a pretty good official (http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1581301&postcount=35) despite his seemingly-changed temprament. I guess that's because I can't recall him ever just brutally screwing a team over in the games that I watched; he "missed" calls or "blew" calls, but all officials do that from time-to-time, particularly the younger officials. I guess that's why I think we'll eventually discover that Donaghy was fiddling with things that didn't affect the ultimate win or loss outcome of games, but that he was messing around with spreads. I still see those as being different things, though each is absolutely reprehensible to me.

[Marcus Bryant]

Donaghy, a baby-faced 40, is one of four NBA referees to have graduated from Cardinal O'Hara high school in Philadelphia. The others are Joey Crawford, Mike Callahan and Ed Malloy.

Ah, the Celtic Four, or "Shamrocks" as they're otherwise known.

[da_suns_fan__]

Donaghy was one of the refs in Game 3 of the Spurs-Suns series. Here's what Bill Simmons said at the time: "Congratulations to Greg Willard, Tim Donaghy and Eddie F. Rush for giving us the most atrociously officiated game of the playoffs so far ... Most of the calls favored the Spurs, but I don't even think the refs were biased -- they were so incompetent that there was no rhyme or reason to anything that was happening. Other than the latest call in NBA history (a shooting foul for Ginobili whistled three seconds after the play, when everyone was already running in the other direction), my favorite moment happened near the end, when the game was already over and they called a cheap bump on Bruce Bowen against Nash, so the cameras caught Mike D'Antoni (the most entertaining coach in the league if he's not getting calls) screaming sarcastically, "Why start now? Why bother?" What a travesty."

[Fillmoe]

spurs racking up them asterisks..... :lol :lol :lol

[Kriz-Maxima]

Honestly if there is a team whose championships i would not question it would be the Spurs.

[ShoogarBear]

This won't be good for the NBA. The media already looks for anything it can to try to tear the NBA down. This will just give the media more ammunition.
Absolutely.

Baseball can have a decade of players cheating and phony records, and college basketball has had more than its share of point-shaving scandals, but the media will no doubt call for the NBA to be outlawed.

[mavs>spurs2]

Wow so as it turns out the Spurs might have not 1, but 2 asterisks next to this trophy.

[timvp]

Wow so as it turns out the Spurs might have not 1, but 2 asterisks next to this trophy.

Does that mean the Spurs have five championships now?

[FromWayDowntown]

I think everyone is going to flash back to some point in time when Donaghy made some bad call and claim that his bad call cost a team a game. It's human nature, in a time like this, for some to claim that they saw this coming. I'm not sure who ever could have really seen this scenario playing out. Even the league thought Donaghy was a good enough official (despite his tinkering with games) to continue to call games into the 2nd round of the playoffs -- those aren't assignments that are given out lightly.

I still don't think Donaghy changed results as much as he affected scores and differentials. But that's enough to create a major, major problem for the league.

NBA officials are about to have their lives examined microscopically by the league. Perhaps this will be the thing that brings about the sort of transparency that so many have wanted.

[Spurminator]

Absolutely.

Baseball can have a decade of players cheating and phony records, and college basketball has had more than its share of point-shaving scandals, but the media will no doubt call for the NBA to be outlawed.


Fortunately, there's a weekend coming up... and if Bonds hits another one this weekend he'll probably dominate sports news in the coming week.

[ShoogarBear]

Honestly if there is a team whose championships i would not question it would be the Spurs.Because you're a Piston fan and understand something besides dilettante ball.

[grjr]

One topic that never got old in my conversations with referees over the past 2½ years was the brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills, which was officiated by Ronnie Garretson, Tommy Nunez Jr. and Tim Donaghy -- the latter of whom has been identified as the referee under investigation by the FBI for allegedly gambling on games he officiated.


Anyone know what the over/under was for "Pacers going into the stands" for that game?

[Marcus Bryant]

Absolutely.

Baseball can have a decade of players cheating and phony records, and college basketball has had more than its share of point-shaving scandals, but the media will no doubt call for the NBA to be outlawed.

Yeah. It's quite obvious that rampant cheating occurred in the MLB for at least the last 15 years and yet here we have one of the obvious offenders about the break the most coveted record in the league's history. Sure, this has been the subject of a myriad of media reports, but what has actually been done about it?

If the reported allegations against Donaghy are true, he'll be reffing in the Federal Penal League before long.

[VinnyTestesVerde]

Wow so as it turns out the Spurs might have not 1, but 2 asterisks next to this trophy.

pathetic :sleep

[Slinkyman]

Wow so as it turns out the Spurs might have not 1, but 2 asterisks next to this trophy.

Mavs have plenty of asterisks, just no championships to put them next to.

[Marcus Bryant]

I remember the jump ball violations.

But it's ludicrous to suggest that was a sign of fixing the games.


Even the most mentally challenged criminal could figure out that it wouldn't be wise to commit that.

[ShoogarBear]

Even the most mentally challenged criminal could figure out that it wouldn't be wise to commit that.Well, there was this guy (http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73472&).

[spurscenter]

WATCH THIS

http://suckatsports.blogspot.com/2007/07/conspiracy-theorists-finally-get-one.html

[Obstructed_View]

So we now get to read bloggers who cite games Donaghy didn't even work as evidence that he fixed games. Yay. And for all our collective basketball knowledge, we have one complaint of a single bad call as evidence that we knew this was happening.

[Horry For 3!]

Tim Donaghy was the ref....


He seemed not too bad.


Oh well.

[spurster]

As far as any fan can tell, there are few checks and balances in how NBA games are reffed. It's varies widely from game to game and within a game when the refs finally decide they want to control it. There are special rules for the last few seconds when you get much more physical.

I think the NBA needs to move from reffing as an art form and get to work on getting the calls right and consistent from ref to ref, game to game, quarter to quarter, and between first quarter and crunch time. In baseball, strikes and balls are closely scrutinized by MLB. This year I've noted that they are calling checked swing strikes much more consistently. However, I won't be holding my breath waiting for this to happen.

[FromWayDowntown]

So we now get to read bloggers who cite games Donaghy didn't even work as evidence that he fixed games. Yay. And for all our collective basketball knowledge, we have one complaint of a single bad call as evidence that we knew this was happening.

I agree, at least to the extent that there's going to be a lot of retrospective speculation -- a lot of it misguided -- about Donaghy's efforts.

I will say this: part of the reason that Spurs fans might be having a difficult time citing to specific examples of Donaghy perhaps messing with games is that this season presented so few of those opportunities.

By my count, Donaghy officiated only 4 games involving the Spurs during the 2006-07 season and playoffs. He did the aforementioned New Orleans game in January and Game 3 of the WCSF against Phoenix.

He also called a March 8 game at Sacramento that the Spurs won 100-93 (they were 9 point favorites). I don't recall enough about that game to think that it was tilted one way or the other -- Corliss Williamson had a big night for the Kings that night, but the game was pretty close all the way. There was, IIRC, a mildly disputed call late in that game that put Bibby on the line for 3 free throws, but I have no idea if Donaghy called that or not. I honestly couldn't say for sure that the call was actually disputed.

Donaghy also called a March 26th game at Golden State that the Spurs won 126-89 -- they shot almost 70% in the first half and cruised to a victory in James White's debut. With that game, I don't think there could have possibly been anything that might have suggested a fix.

Anyway, the dearth of Donaghy-officiated games this year might explain why we can come up with so few examples that might suggest support for the allegations.

[peewee's lovechild]

Tim Donaghy was the ref....


He seemed not too bad.


Oh well.

I'm just disappointed that it wasn't Joey Crawford.

They should check him just in case.

[Horry For 3!]

I'm just disappointed that it wasn't Joey Crawford.

They should check him just in case.
Joey Crawford is still suspended, I think.

[HJNTX]

please let it bee crawford or javie.. please god please.
:lol

[exstatic]

** <- these are my nuts

[judaspriestess]

spurs racking up them asterisks..... :lol :lol :lol
while the kings rack up nothing :lol



Wow so as it turns out the Spurs might have not 1, but 2 asterisks next to this trophy.

as supposed to dallas having what? another division title? :oops

[majinkoola]

The proof is there that a very poorly and strangely officiated game (Game 3 of Suns-Spurs) was reffed by an official who betted on games, and Spurs fans are still denying that there was any effect on the game or series.

Classic.

[violentkitten]

The proof is there that a very poorly and strangely officiated game

in your opinion. hang your hat on that because after that trade today your fave team is starting to hit the skids.

[majinkoola]

I guess I need to repeat the quote. This was said by an unbiased writer before anything about this ref came out. And Game 3 was by far the most disputed officiating by Suns' fans in this series.

"Congratulations to Greg Willard, Tim Donaghy and Eddie F. Rush for giving us the most atrociously officiated game of the playoffs so far ... Most of the calls favored the Spurs, but I don't even think the refs were biased -- they were so incompetent that there was no rhyme or reason to anything that was happening. Other than the latest call in NBA history (a shooting foul for Ginobili whistled three seconds after the play, when everyone was already running in the other direction), my favorite moment happened near the end, when the game was already over and they called a cheap bump on Bruce Bowen against Nash, so the cameras caught Mike D'Antoni (the most entertaining coach in the league if he's not getting calls) screaming sarcastically, "Why start now? Why bother?" What a travesty."

Keep denying it though.

[nkdlunch]

Wow so as it turns out the Spurs might have not 1, but 2 asterisks next to this trophy.

no, that ref worked last year's series Mavs vs. Spurs. that's why Mavs won.

I will bet $$$$ that he was present and working game 2 of that series.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Donaghy, a baby-faced 40, is one of four NBA referees to have graduated from Cardinal O'Hara high school in Philadelphia. The others are Joey Crawford, Mike Callahan and Ed Malloy.

I'd think the league would want to look into them as well. I remember reading a story about how close the four of them are due to graduating from the same school.

[hater]

now I know why Mavs won last year!!!!

[violentkitten]

no, that ref worked last year's series Mavs vs. Spurs. that's why Mavs won.

I will bet $$$$ that he was present and working game 2 of that series.

guess the spurs get an * for "would have had one more" then.

[majinkoola]

BTW, Game 3 was also the game where Jon Barry commented on how bad the officiating was, and where Amare played a little over 20 minutes due to a bunch of very cheap fouls.

I don't think this has anything to do with the Stern or the NBA. But to say the game wasn't affected by the ref at this point is ludicrous.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

The proof is there that a very poorly and strangely officiated game (Game 3 of Suns-Spurs) was reffed by an official who betted on games, and Spurs fans are still denying that there was any effect on the game or series.

Classic.

What's classic is your Magnum P.I. wannabe coach thinking that his teams don't have to play any defense to win a championship, and then lame ass fans like you coming along to hold everyone and everything but your team accountable for it's suck ass playoff performances.

[hater]

hahahahahhahahaha

Sun fans start to cry again!!!

fuckin love it!!!!!

[hater]

the wound has been reopened on Sun fans. I can't beleive they are soft as shit

[majinkoola]

**

[RC's Boss]

Michael Vick is my hero.

[SAntonio!]

Looks like this guy definitly had some character issues. Does the NBA not do background checks or what?




TIM DONAGHY: AMERICAN PSYCHO
Somewhere Rasheed Wallace is smiling.

After being villainized in 2003 for nearly pummeling Tim Donaghy after a controversial call (Sheed was suspended 7 games at the time), vultures are swirling around Donaghy for fixing games.

As the thorough investigative reporters we are, we decided to check into the guy's background to see if there was any suspicious activity that David Stern should have picked up on. That's when we stumbled across this January 2005 story in the Philadelphia Inquirer about a lawsuit alleging he harassed his neighbors (Note: there was never a follow-up article to this and we therefore don't know the outcome of this case).

Here are some excerpts:

"In the summer of 2003, the suit said, Donaghy initiated "a pattern of public harassment" that included yelling obscenities at the Mansuetos, following Lisa Mansueto around Radley Run golf course on his golf cart, setting fire to the Mansuetos' tractor, and crashing the Mansuetos' golf cart into a ravine."

"The suit also states that Donaghy was charged by West Goshen Township Police with disorderly conduct and harassment in June 2000. Court records show that Donaghy had a verbal altercation with his mail carrier; however, the charges were dismissed when the carrier did not show up for a hearing."

"Similar charges were lodged against Donaghy in 1995, the suit said. At the time, Donaghy was living in Havertown. Sgt. Michael Glenn, Haverford Township police spokesman, said no record exists of such charges there."

Crashing golf carts in ravines? Setting tractors on fire? Maybe someone should have picked up on this guy being a psycho. We're looking at you here, David Stern...

http://therealests.blogspot.com/2007/07/tim-donaghy-is-psycho.html

[violentkitten]

sun fan ready to pounce on any ready excuse while their team just coughed up their best hope of ever beating the spurs today. poor bastards.

[hater]

**

face it sun fans. no matter if God comes down from the heavens and says Suns should have won. you still lost and will be a no mention in a few years when ppl remember 2007. haha losers

[RC's Boss]

face it sun fans. no matter if God comes down from the heavens and says Suns should have won. you still lost and will be a no mention in a few years when ppl remember 2007. haha losers
Yep you're last season was the LAST contending season. PHX sucks.... Lottery team in 3 years!

[majinkoola]

"Congratulations to Greg Willard, Tim Donaghy and Eddie F. Rush for giving us the most atrociously officiated game of the playoffs so far ... Most of the calls favored the Spurs, but I don't even think the refs were biased -- they were so incompetent that there was no rhyme or reason to anything that was happening. Other than the latest call in NBA history (a shooting foul for Ginobili whistled three seconds after the play, when everyone was already running in the other direction), my favorite moment happened near the end, when the game was already over and they called a cheap bump on Bruce Bowen against Nash, so the cameras caught Mike D'Antoni (the most entertaining coach in the league if he's not getting calls) screaming sarcastically, "Why start now? Why bother?" What a travesty."

What a worthwhile championship.

[Phil Hellmuth]

"Congratulations to Greg Willard, Tim Donaghy and Eddie F. Rush for giving us the most atrociously officiated game of the playoffs so far ... Most of the calls favored the Spurs, but I don't even think the refs were biased -- they were so incompetent that there was no rhyme or reason to anything that was happening. Other than the latest call in NBA history (a shooting foul for Ginobili whistled three seconds after the play, when everyone was already running in the other direction), my favorite moment happened near the end, when the game was already over and they called a cheap bump on Bruce Bowen against Nash, so the cameras caught Mike D'Antoni (the most entertaining coach in the league if he's not getting calls) screaming sarcastically, "Why start now? Why bother?" What a travesty."

What a worthwhile championship.

you are overheating the engine with this constant babble. i heard you the first time, i literally don't want sh!t thrown at me twice.

[violentkitten]

the suns organization must have it so easy with such a conspiratorial minded fanbase. easy enough to pull off the worse trade yet this summer right under their lily white noses.

[hater]

remember when D'antonit said something like....

"we have the biggest telescopes in Arizona, and even then they could not see the unfairness in that decission..."

:lmao :lmao

what a fucking loser, just remembering that made my day. Someone post a pic or marion + nash at the pool. :lol

[grjr]

He also called a March 8 game at Sacramento that the Spurs won 100-93 (they were 9 point favorites). I don't recall enough about that game to think that it was tilted one way or the other -- Corliss Williamson had a big night for the Kings that night, but the game was pretty close all the way. There was, IIRC, a mildly disputed call late in that game that put Bibby on the line for 3 free throws, but I have no idea if Donaghy called that or not. I honestly couldn't say for sure that the call was actually disputed.


If I was trying to "fix" a game so I could win a bet I think it would be by manipulating point totals so that I could win the O/U total points bet. That way I could make calls for/against both teams and probably not affect who wins...just the total amount of points.

If you look at Doneghy's O/U cover record for his early years compared to the 2006-2007 season you will see quite a difference. His covering of the over was quite high last season.

It wouldn't surprise me that when we find out what kind of bets were made that it turns out they were O/U bets.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

**

** traded away its best Duncan defender in Thomas today for herpes in the ass.

[bdictjames]

So is the Heat-Mavs series last year fixed too? Or did the Mavs just choke? :lol

[Findog]

no, that ref worked last year's series Mavs vs. Spurs. that's why Mavs won.

I will bet $$$$ that he was present and working game 2 of that series.

It's not hard to do research. Donaghy didn't work any of the Mavs-Spurs games, it's called boxscores, you might try looking at them sometime.

How much money do I win?

[Findog]

So is the Heat-Mavs series last year fixed too? Or did the Mavs just choke? :lol

He didn't work any of our games during the 06 playoffs. Miami beat us fair and square. I didn't go back to 05, but the only playoff game he worked of ours in the last two years was Game 3 of the Golden State series, when we got blown out.

[Findog]

now I know why Mavs won last year!!!!

Donaghy didn't work any Spurs-Mavs games. Shouldn't you be going with "Timmy had PF," instead? I know other team's fans aren't allowed to make excuses, but you apparently are.

[xmas1997]

Ah, but he did work the Mavs-GS crucial Game 3 this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cuban is going to have a field day with this one!

[Trainwreck2100]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j141/ECKoolAid/lolsports/bad_ref.jpg

[FromWayDowntown]

I love Suns fans -- it must totally suck to believe that you have the most exciting team in the NBA only to completely believe at the same time that your team was disfavored in a conspiracy that benefitted a "boring" team that has the ultimate ratings anchor.

I mean, really -- that must TOTALLY suck.

[duncan228]

Stern's statement. (I didn't see it in here, sorry if it's already been posted.)

http://www.nba.com/news/stern_statement_070720.html

NBA Commissioner David Stern Statement

NEW YORK, July 20, 2007 – NBA Commissioner David Stern has issued the following statement:
"As we previously stated, we have been cooperating with the FBI in their investigation of allegations that a single NBA referee bet on NBA games that he officiated. As part of that cooperation, we were asked by the Government not to comment about the investigation, but in light of the widespread press coverage and the naming of the referee, Tim Donaghy, we consider it appropriate to make a fuller statement.

"We would like to assure our fans that no amount of effort, time or personnel is being spared to assist in this investigation, to bring to justice an individual who has betrayed the most sacred trust in professional sports, and to take the necessary steps to protect against this ever happening again. We will have more to say at a press conference that will be scheduled for next week."

[zrinkill]

Tim Donaghy was allowing the Suns to win games ...... this is a riot.

[dav4463]

BTW, Game 3 was also the game where Jon Barry commented on how bad the officiating was, and where Amare played a little over 20 minutes due to a bunch of very cheap fouls.

I don't think this has anything to do with the Stern or the NBA. But to say the game wasn't affected by the ref at this point is ludicrous.


We have four. If we just give one of our championships to the Suns, we will still have three. Will that be enough for Suns fans to SHUT THE HELL UP !!!!???

[justanotherspursfan]

the suns organization must have it so easy with such a conspiratorial minded fanbase. easy enough to pull off the worse trade yet this summer right under their lily white noses.
The NBA fixed the trade, too. :rolleyes

[timvp]

I know there are a good amount of Suns fans who are crybabies (not all of them, of course, but a larger percentage than most teams), but perhaps they might be on to something in Game 3 of the series. Someone should re-watch the game to see if it was Donaghy calling the critical fouls on Stoudemire.

I doubt the outcome of the game changed but perhaps there could be more to the story if one were to watch that game and notice which calls Donaghy made.

[justanotherspursfan]

**
Is that your way of saying you have two assholes, and you're talking out of one of them?

[Shred]

I know there are a good amount of Suns fans who are crybabies (not all of them, of course, but a larger percentage than most teams), but perhaps they might be on to something in Game 3 of the series. Someone should re-watch the game to see if it was Donaghy calling the critical fouls on Stoudemire.

I doubt the outcome of the game changed but perhaps there could be more to the story if one were to watch that game and notice which calls Donaghy made.

Pay more attention to Nash. Amare usually managed to put himself in foul trouble. However, Game 3 is the one I distinctly remember for the Bowen knee to Nash's groin, the constant slapping and hacking, and then Nash getting called for the reach-in foul with a couple minutes left, and D'Antoni asking, "Why are you calling that now?"

[florige]

I'm just disappointed that it wasn't Joey Crawford.

They should check him just in case.



Don't be surprised if more people start coming under fire. I REALLY don't think that Crawford would do something that crooked that would jeopordize his reffing status like that, but if other refs happened to be involved in this travesty it wouldn't surprise me one bit.

[timvp]

Pay more attention to Nash. Amare usually managed to put himself in foul trouble. However, Game 3 is the one I distinctly remember for the Bowen knee to Nash's groin, the constant slapping and hacking, and then Nash getting called for the reach-in foul with a couple minutes left, and D'Antoni asking, "Why are you calling that now?"You might be the one who needs to re-watch that game if you think a foul by Nash is what made D'Antoni say that.

[florige]

You might be the one who needs to re-watch that game if you think a foul by Nash is what made D'Antoni say that.


I think he's just frustrated now and has it backwards. :lol

[Shred]

You might be the one who needs to re-watch that game if you think a foul by Nash is what made D'Antoni say that.

You're right. D'Antoni yelled that after they called a non-shooting foul on Bowen after Nash was driving to the hoop.

Watch the end of Game 3 here. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2yIdHqr6m8&mode=related&search=)

[Horry For 3!]

ESPN just showed a clip of Nash talking about if he won the series for the Spurs.

Nash is still cryin.... sad

[florige]

People are going to start coming out of the woodworks now once they figure out the games he refed. The Suns were already making excuses as to why they lost so that really doesn't surprise me any. It surprises me that it took them a while to start with it.

[mavs>spurs2]

Does that mean the Spurs have five championships now?


pathetic :sleep


Mavs have plenty of asterisks, just no championships to put them next to.


** <-- these are my nuts


while the kings rack up nothing :lol




as supposed to dallas having what? another division title? :oops


no, that ref worked last year's series Mavs vs. Spurs. that's why Mavs won.

I will bet $$$$ that he was present and working game 2 of that series.

I'm counting 6 butthurt spur fans who felt the need to respond to my post defending their precious spurs. Maybe you guys realize what really happened and feel guilty....

[judaspriestess]

I'm counting 6 butthurt spur fans who felt the need to respond to my post defending their precious spurs. Maybe you guys realize what really happened and feel guilty....

no your just an easy target. :blah :blah

[mavs>spurs2]

no your just an easy target. :blah :blah

No but by responding you show just how insecure you are about the whole asterick thing, which wasn't even meant to be serious. Good job

[aaronstampler]

One would think she could trade sexual favors in exchange for forgiveness of gambling debts.



the most misogynist post I have read on these boards- what an idiotic statement

I agree. Violet Palmer isn't even that pretty.

[aaronstampler]

I remember the jump ball violations.

But it's ludicrous to suggest that was a sign of fixing the games.

No, you don't understand. It's a signal to the gamblers to let them know the fix is in. I remember in "Eight Men Out" about the 1919 Chicago Blacksox scandal, the signal to the gamblers that they were going to throw the World Series was that the first batter of the game for the Reds would be beaned and he was.