Do you think the 2002 Conference Finals between the Kings and Lakers was fixed?

Question

I know this is a bit old, but based on what you have heard, what do you think?

I didn't watch this game since I was only 9, but I heard the Lakers attempted 27 free throws in the 4th quarter, and there were many questionable calls and some people thought there was bad officiating.

What do you think based on what Donaghy said?

Answer 1

Oh yes. Most of the people covering the game thought something was wrong with the game. I think David Stern isn't the commissioner that everyone thinks he is either. He might have known about this and countless other questionable games. I love the NBA but sometimes it seems a little bit shady.

Answer 2

Maybe, maybe not. Who knows?

Answer 3

This is a tough question:

I would hope the NBA doesn't fix its game for better ratings but in this money dominated world it's not unrealistic that the NBA would try such illicit business policies to gain more ratings. The fouls were in obvious disparity and I also remember people saying they don't remember a game in which the officiating was so much a debate. Officiating in the NBA is tough. The game is played at such a quick pace a lot of calls are judgement calls and in my opinion the officials are there to control the physical play of the game moreso than referee a perfect game. Calls have been missed by refs but you know usually it's about equal for both teams.

I don't believe what Donaghy said. His allegations came so late and his credibility is already been destroyed by his own illegal gambling problems. Also people could see that he might have tried to lessen his jail sentence by providing this information. But the game was suspicious and the fact that on other instances officiating has been questioned I wouldn't deny the NBA is fixing games. But hopefully they've learned that there is more attention on the officiating now more than ever and if they did fix games that it will be part of the past and there should be a great emphasis on better officiating more consistent officiating and holding refs accountable for their calls.

Answer 4

Yes I do, it was obvious the calls were one-sided. I remember that series well, I was 17. Chris Webber, playing a his very best and in his prime could not get a single foul call.

Donaghy didn't have to say anything I didn't already know about that series to make me think it was swayed, all he did was remind me of it.

Answer 5

i don't know i wasn't alive in 2002