Deadspin: Excerpts From The Book The NBA Doesn't Want You To Read

[antimvp]

NBA threatens legal action?................they sound like crooks already.

If they had nothing to hide who cares about a stupid book?

notice how ESPN does not broadcast this too loudly?......you can find it on the back pages at the ESPN website.

[diego]

So let me get this straight guys.

1. How many of the last 4 Spurs Championships were given through the cheat?

2. How many of the last 4 Lakers Championships were given through the cheat?

no team is given championships. I dont believe that at all.

Nor do I believe that refs must be perfect , fined for missed calls, etc.

I do however think that egregious mistakes are made that can have a huge impact on a game, and I think that Stu Jackson has shown time and again that he has no business setting guidelines for referees. At least the refs have to make their calls in the moment so you can understand why they make mistakes. Stu has the benefit of replay and various camera angles and he still makes baffling, inconsistent decisions that contradict the rulebook.

[101A]

No way we would have watched that snoozer called the Pistons vs Spurs Finals.

That was the best finals since, well, since I can't even remember exactly when there was more compe ive, not decided 'til late in the 7th game finals - what is exciting in your eyes?

[duncan228]

Don't believe Donaghy's hype
By Geoffrey C. Arnold, The Oregonian

Why should anyone believe Tim Donaghy ?

The disgraced and convicted ex-NBA referee, scheduled to be released from a federal prison on Wednesday, has reportedly written a book that regurgitates claims that NBA referees cannot be trusted to call a game fairly.

This time, reports have indicated that Donaghy is calling out referees by naming names. Another of the book's major claims is that the league's superstars receive preferential treatment. That's news? The National Football League does the same thing: It's called the "Tom Brady Rule" that protects quarterbacks.

If I were in his situation, I might write a "tell-all" book. Donaghy is a convicted crook and gambler who spent time in prison. He is apparently broke and with no hope of returning to his former profession to earn a legitimate living. Yeah, I would write a book, make a few sensational allegations, try to hit the television talk-show circuit and earn some much-needed cash.

There are certainly instances of player-referee animosity within the league over the years. Joe Crawford was suspended for ejecting Tim Duncan in 2007. Charles Barkley and Mike Mathis had a long-running feud. Clyde Drexler will tell you that Jake O'Donnell hated him (O'Donnell has said he had nothing against Drexler).

But fixing games? Come on. Illegally extending a playoff series to seven games? Please. Still, the league, sensitive to charges of impropriety, plans to investigate Donaghy's latest claims.

There would need to be a lot of people involved to fix the outcome of a game. Wouldn't somebody, someone who didn't want to participate, squeal and alert the league or authorities? Wouldn't a stand-up fellow referee, recognizing the stakes - reputation, career, credibility of the game - involved, say something? And by the way, if the Donaghy case didn't make it clear enough, fixing games is a crime. People, like Donaghy, who are caught and convicted can go to prison.

Maybe Donaghy is trying to clear a very disgraced name and dirty reputation with his book. Whatever his reasoning for writing a book, it's not going to help. He should simply be quiet, work in the community, allow time and good works to rehabilitate him and his reputation.

[duncan228]

Donaghy To Be Released Wednesday
SportingNews

Tim Donaghy may not get a chance to be a published author, but he will soon be a free man. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the arch-fiend who nearly brought down the NBA will be out of prison this week, after having returned due to a probation violation:

Tim Donaghy will be released from federal prison Wednesday, according to consultants the ex-NBA referee has hired to ease his post-prison transition.

Donaghy, a Havertown native who lost his job and was sentenced to 15 months for providing inside information to gamblers, hopes to find a job in sales or marketing, according to a press release issued last night by Executive Prison Consultants.

Of course, the story is far from over. The NBA may have managed to keep Donaghy's book from hitting stores, but excerpts still found its way onto the web. Now, he's once again a hot topic, with Phil Jackson even weighing in on some of Donaghy's accusations—he buys them, actually. The NBA apparently didn't read the book either, since they are now launching further investigations based on the leaked excerpts. There's also the chance that there could be more criminal charges, maybe against Donaghy himself. He'd better enjoy the sweet taste of freedom while he can.

[Obstructed_View]

Donaghy was in on it. Of course he isn't going to say anything until after hes busted.

As of this moment, Donaghy is all of it. No one else is "in on it." The only allegation that anyone else is involved comes from him. He was the only one we know of who was a compulsive gambler, he's the only one we know of who was way in debt, he's the only one we know of who had contact with the mob, and he's the only one we know of who bet on those games.

I do not understand why it so hard to believe when its pretty much a given that the rules are changed to suit certain players. If they do that then why wouldn't they extend that out a bit if that also suits their marketing needs?

No, the NBA seems to have no qualms about changing a rule to suit their needs, so there's simply no need or sense in trying to do it under the table, because they will change a rule to try to manipulate the game during the offseason with very little regard for the consequences. When you have access to a legal weapon like that, there's simply no reason to bother trying to sneak anything else in.

Besides, if they were the type of league that were willing to do that, then they could have gone easy on Amare and Diaw. Public opinion would have forgiven them for violating the rules to benefit Phoenix.

[Galileo]

As of this moment, Donaghy is all of it. No one else is "in on it." The only allegation that anyone else is involved comes from him. He was the only one we know of who was a compulsive gambler, he's the only one we know of who was way in debt, he's the only one we know of who had contact with the mob, and he's the only one we know of who bet on those games.



No, the NBA seems to have no qualms about changing a rule to suit their needs, so there's simply no need or sense in trying to do it under the table, because they will change a rule to try to manipulate the game during the offseason with very little regard for the consequences. When you have access to a legal weapon like that, there's simply no reason to bother trying to sneak anything else in.

Besides, if they were the type of league that were willing to do that, then they could have gone easy on Amare and Diaw. Public opinion would have forgiven them for violating the rules to benefit Phoenix.

You've been duped. I suggest you watch the game film.

[La Peace]

Well before Dwayne Wade held the le for Ft's per game in the finals the previous owner of the record was Michael Jordan.

[Obstructed_View]

You've been duped. I suggest you watch the game film.

You of all people prove that an idiot can infer anything he likes from any video he chooses.

[Galileo]

You of all people prove that an idiot can infer anything he likes from any video he chooses.

I am Galileo.

[Baseline]

You can tell, that Donaghy is telling the truth, and Stern is lying:

Notice how all Dtern does is attack Donaghy's character and issue denials.

Well, we already know about Donaghy.

and denial is a sign of guilt.

Stern has offered no real facts, like specific statements from other referees or players.

The best chance to break this thing open is a RETIRED ref to come forward. Someone like Ted Bernhardt, who is honest, and has been dragged down into the stink of Bob Delaney.

Also, note that Donaghy has given only facts, he is not attacking Stern's character. The facts about Stern's character speak for themselves.

Here's all we need to know about Stern's character...

When asked who would be in his ideal Finals, he said, "Lakers vs. Lakers."

Whether it's on court favoritism from refs, favoritism by orchestrating front office moves (the Gasol trade), or purposely ramming K. Bryant (an alleged rapist) down our throats as a superstar and national hero, it's crystal clear which team Mr. Stern wants in the spotlight, if not on the podium hoisting the O'Brien Trophy.

To me, far more shocking than any of Donahey's revelations, is the fact that the Spurs have won four les over the last ten years. That feat is nothing short of miraculous.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

As of this moment, Donaghy is all of it. No one else is "in on it." The only allegation that anyone else is involved comes from him. He was the only one we know of who was a compulsive gambler, he's the only one we know of who was way in debt, he's the only one we know of who had contact with the mob, and he's the only one we know of who bet on those games.



No, the NBA seems to have no qualms about changing a rule to suit their needs, so there's simply no need or sense in trying to do it under the table, because they will change a rule to try to manipulate the game during the offseason with very little regard for the consequences. When you have access to a legal weapon like that, there's simply no reason to bother trying to sneak anything else in.

Besides, if they were the type of league that were willing to do that, then they could have gone easy on Amare and Diaw. Public opinion would have forgiven them for violating the rules to benefit Phoenix.

You miss the point, cannot recall your initial point and meander over a topic like a drunken hooker.

1) The 'in on it' argument was in reference to your argument that it could not be true because he didn't say anything until after he was busted. Well if what he was saying is true then why in would he say something and incriminate himself and the golden goose. Prima facia it makes no sense.

You can continue on your tangent if you like

2) Actually, they don't change the rules halfway through the season. Diaw and Stoudamire got the hammer because of a rules change during the offesason in the wake of the Artest fiasco.

Most of the rules in the post and on the perimeter are so nebulous that you can hardly call them rules. They are more like guidelines. You look at the difference in how the game is called for Oberto as opposed to Duncan on defense or Parker vs Daniels on offense.

Why change the rules when you canb acall them any way you want to as it is.

A three second call is one thing but lets take Parkers drives into shot blockers. They stand there he jumps into them and is able to get a clean shot because they have 200 lbs of running frenchman colliding with them. Oftentimes he'll initiate that outside the circle.

In my world thats aas much a charge as Shaq knocking people down and dunking it is. You never see either called.

They do it because its good for marketing. Do you deny this?

[senorglory]

That was the best finals since, well, since I can't even remember exactly when there was more compe ive, not decided 'til late in the 7th game finals - what is exciting in your eyes?

Rockets - Knicks. That was an awesome finals that went down to the wire.

[La Peace]

I don't think people get it. Some people are arguing "your series was more rigged than mine"? Are you guys kidding? A rigged series is a rigged series this is no longer a compe ion. Get out of that mind set.

And these allegations put an ASTERISK on EVERY team who has won with these refs running around. Why? Because if they have the power to rig, extend, end and completely control a series. Then they would have to at the very least allow a team to win, and if they allow a team to win, that is favorable treatment, because in certain cases they didn't allow the better team to win. EVERYTHING can be quetsioned now. Every series, every game. If your team won, does that mean they actually won? Did they let you win? Did they make you win? Did they make unfavorable calls to the other team? Did they have something against the other team? Why did the other team not have any refs favoring them? Its all questioned with it has their stamp on it. Their input. Everything.

[Obstructed_View]

You miss the point, cannot recall your initial point and meander over a topic like a drunken hooker.

Um, okay. Game on.

1) The 'in on it' argument was in reference to your argument that it could not be true because he didn't say anything until after he was busted. Well if what he was saying is true then why in would he say something and incriminate himself and the golden goose. Prima facia it makes no sense.

You miss the point, cannot recall your initial point and meander over a topic like a drunken hooker. The "in on it" argument was your attempt to continue to imply that more than one person was involved after I answered someone else's question about why the sole witness' character was in question. At no time did I say it "could not be true".

One of us (me) is looking at the evidence, the other (you) is relying on assumptions and speculation, and seems to be resorting to misrepresentation of the other's statements.

Let me repeat: There remains ZERO evidence to corroborate his implications aside from paranoia from conspiracy hungry NBA fans trying to justify their team's losing in one or more playoff series. The only time that any attempt was made to incriminate anyone else was by Donaghy himself after being busted for gambling on games, including games he worked; an offense for which he was convicted and sent to jail. To this day he remains the only person implicated, let alone indicted. If there were a corroborating witness, they would have been offered immunity in order to take down the conspiracy. As it stands, Donaghy's accusations completely dovetail with his pattern of actions and statements in that they are completely self-serving and therefore, in my estimation, must be taken with a grain of salt.

2) Actually, they don't change the rules halfway through the season. Diaw and Stoudamire got the hammer because of a rules change during the offesason in the wake of the Artest fiasco.

Reading is fundamental, because I never said they did. "Offseason" does not equal "halfway through the season". And the leaving the bench rule has nothing to do with Ron Artest. It was in place WAY before that, and was amended after Patrick Ewing was suspended for stepping onto the floor during a fight. Hand check rules, moving the three point line, the no-charge area, and changing the wording in the rulebook regarding travelling are all offseason changes made by the compe ion committee.

Most of the rules in the post and on the perimeter are so nebulous that you can hardly call them rules. They are more like guidelines. You look at the difference in how the game is called for Oberto as opposed to Duncan on defense or Parker vs Daniels on offense.

Why change the rules when you canb acall them any way you want to as it is.

A three second call is one thing but lets take Parkers drives into shot blockers. They stand there he jumps into them and is able to get a clean shot because they have 200 lbs of running frenchman colliding with them. Oftentimes he'll initiate that outside the circle.

In my world thats aas much a charge as Shaq knocking people down and dunking it is. You never see either called.

They do it because its good for marketing. Do you deny this?

The above is mostly incoherent rambling about individual judgment calls you disagree with that you're blaming on the big mean NBA marketing machine. You and Galileo should be talking about like that. Here's the relevant statement from you that I'll address:

Why change the rules when you canb acall (sic) them any way you want to as it is.

I've already given a number of examples of the NBA changing the rules, so my question remains: Why issue a directive to the referees to violate the rules when you can manipulate them legally in the offseason any way you choose?