NBA Referees Follow Orders From the Top

I was just reading an article at ESPN.com about the only honest NBA referee I know of, Tim Donaghy. Unfortunately for him, he is going to prison. Which is strange in a way, I guess someone slipped up somewhere and his name came up. But what is interesting is his latest allegation. I don't know why he waited this long, probably his damn lawyer told him to hold out, to reveal how deep this facade of a sport goes.

If you haven't read the article it goes on to say that in the 2002 playoffs league officials decided that a certain team, a high profile team, with 2 high profile players, and the HIGHEST PROFILE Coach must go to a seventh game. I could see why the referees would want to. They get paid per game. And in the long run you can see why the league wanted it to, they get exposure through their players. The NBA is a players league, not a team league. Anyway, the game he points out is a GREAT example of what I've always said about the NBA. This is an explicit example, the perfect example if you will.

This game was officiated so blatantly that Ralph Nader called for a formal investigation. The High Profile team shot 27 free throws in the 4th quarter to overcome a huge deficit to force a game seven. Two players from the other team fouled out in the quarter. The point guard on lower profile team was fouled on last second attempt to tie, but no call was made. Sounds like typical NBA to me, I don't get what everyone is upset about.

What cracks me up is the comments from people involved with this game that can't say anything or fear losing any chance of working in the NBA again. Like Phil Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy. I like Van Gundy's style as an announcer. He's kinda funny in a deadpan way and he adds a little knowledge. But he showed he knows how to toe the line on this one. The best comment is from Lamell McMorris, head of the NBA referees union. He questioned Donaghy's motivation and credibility. "Tim Donaghy has had honesty and credibility issues from the get-go," McMorris said in a prepared statement. When exactly does the get-go start?