NBA needs to regulate something
June 21, 2008
By Jake Sudderth
When a top-flight coach, Phil Jackson, mentions during a press conference that a body outside the National Basketball Association should manage and deploy league sanctioned referees and his comments are considered rational and positive, something is wrong.
Jackson would normally be identified as a purveyor of sour grapes. His team was losing in the NBA finals and he was complaining about the referees. Unfortunately, most fans probably agree with him.
Many of these same fans, especially disgruntled basketball followers in Seattle trying to save their current franchise, are tired of witnessing uber leader David Stern dominate all discussion related to league affairs. Stern has been a successful commissioner, but he is beginning to hog center stage like an overrated actor in a bad vaudeville act. He appears more argumentative and set in his ways than smart and savvy these days.
The marketing publication Ad Age recently discovered that 37% of fans surveyed believe the NBA somewhat or very likely alters the outcome of its games. The YouGovPolimetrix Omnibus Poll found that among "casual" or "avid" fans, an even higher number, 41%; think it's either very likely or somewhat likely that the NBA alters the outcome of games.
This information comes a year after former league referee Tim Donaghy was investigated by the FBI for receiving cash payments in return for passing inside information along to friends and gamblers. Last week Donaghy alleged that NBA executives and referees manipulated game results to boost ticket sales and TV ratings; a claim he is making as he is working with federal authorities. In other words, his credibility is bad and he has no reason to get himself in more hot water with authorities.
This month two former NBA referees told ESPN that federal investigators had questioned them about referee Dick Bavetta while conducting their probe into Tim Donaghy.
It is time for new integrity from sources outside the league. Jackson is right.
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