Re: Tim Donaghy says NBA fixed the 2002 Western Conference Finals
I think someone who is looking at 25 years in prison, has nothing to lose, and everything to gain. He extends his sentence if he lies, he may shorten it if he tells the truth. The thing I don't understand, is the stuff he did to earn 25 years has nothing to do with this. He was fixing games, for gambling. This is throwing a stone at the NBA, for fixing games for the better of a TV market.
I don't think that the NBA would exactly stand up, and say, 'Yes, we want Los Angeles and the Celtics to play one another in the Finals,' but I'm sure they wouldn't mind it if it happened. In fact, they'd probably like it that way, and the referees understand that. At best, I think these accusations are made by someone hearing a big guy in the NBA saying 'Man, that'd be a hell of a matchup,' the refs then making it so. The NBA, with all the 'judgement' calls, is the EASIEST sport to fix I think. I can't blame Donaghey for doing this, and I'm sure there is some truth to what he is saying.
This is why I like College Basketball better.
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