Do you believe that the NBA is rigged?

[mogrovejo]

It might be less obvious if Stern would stop fining players and coaches for criticizing the refs, but of course he has a business to protect.

Teams can criticize and question refs all they want.

Not exactly rigged but Stern is not punishing refs if they suck.

Yes he is. Refs who suck don't go far in the NBA; or if they start sucking they don't stay on top for long.

i think it sometimes is. but i don't think its the case most of the time or often. if it was rigged, no way in Spurs would've won 4 Championships.

What if the Spurs don't win a championship in the next 30 years? Then it's rigged?

[JMarkJohns]

Teams still need to take advantage of the opportunities afforded them, but all too often, a select few teams seemingly get placed in the best position to do so, many, many times at the obvious expense of opponents.

It's not 100% certain, so not 100% rigged in that the outcome is absolute, but there's a lot of BS that makes it tough to click no as an answer to this question.

Stern sits back and lets this happen. He does nothing and says even less in condemnation of the BS. In olden days, silence equaled consent or approval of actions, policies, legislation. If he wanted to, he could change it, yet nothing changes...

[Bob Lanier]

People who think it is should go watch another sport

Why? What about a sport being rigged precludes its popularity?

Take politics, for instance.

[lurker]

I wouldn't say rigged, but I do think the amount of money the league makes off teams/certain players factors in to how they get treated by the officials/NBA office. I also don't think Donaghy was an "isolated criminal", as Stern called him. There are likely many more current and former refs that have brought their gambling addictions to work with them.

[Spursmania]

Influenced is the better word

Definitely influenced.

[spursfan1000]

I would say that Refs just are baised on the higher market teams such as Lakers and so on...

[supervietnamlakers]

i dont think its fake league but i know refs are human so they make mistake and sometimes they have bias if they dont like the player. same with everyone, we have feelings and at work we do things for people that are cool and we tell "no" to people that are nasty at ude.

[Jacob1983]

I don't think it's rigged but I do think refs can influence games with their personal prejudices and biases toward certain players. And yes, refs do have prejudices and biases toward certain players. Ask Tim Duncan and Allen Iverson. I think fans wouldn't about the refs that much if they weren't propped as much and weren't as popular as they are. NBA fans care about their teams and players and the league's best players. NBA fans don't want to see the refs get publicity or fame. The refs should be as famous as the camera man or ball boy. When I watch an NBA game, I don't want to hear an announcer tell me about the life story of a in' ref or hear them compliment a ref either. Seriously, it's ridiculous that even the average NBA fan knows the names and faces of so many refs in the sport.

[Phallusy]

Here is Tim Donaghy discussing some crap... From 4/27

http://espn.go.com/espnradio/player?...sign=ESPNRADIO

[greensborohill]

the correct answer is yes.

Certain situations are rigged

[greensborohill]

http://www.google.com/search?source=...=&oq=&gs_rfai=

[Halberto]

50/50?!?! You guys are ing stupid. It's not rigged.

[Giuseppe]

Doin' Amare & Diaw that-a-way, and lettin' Duncan off the hook looked kinda su ious.

tee, hee.

[lefty]

So 23 Lakers fans have voted no

[Fpoonsie]

If we win, no. If we lose, yes.

[greensborohill]

If we win, no. If we lose, yes.

+

[Basketballgirl25]

Do I believe the NBA is rigged? Yes

Do I care? No

I think it is rigged somewhat, but not as much as some people think. Adds drama which is always good. I say if people don't like the way the NBA is at time don't watch it, many other things in life to worry about then NBA being rigged

[SomeCallMeTim]

Surprised to see so many tinfoil hat wearers speaking up in this thread.

Seems I'd overestimated the average intelligence of ST posters.

[Muser]

Not rigged, just most of the refs suck ass.

[LnGrrrR]

Surprised to see so many tinfoil hat wearers speaking up in this thread.

Seems I'd overestimated the average intelligence of ST posters.

You've obviously never stepped into the politics board...