Disgraced NBA Tim Donaghy has a new book coming out and of course the NBA does not want you to read it. I have to say, the allegations he says in the book are pretty damaging to the point where the NBA can not ignore this, and if these things are true, David Stern will have to step down. The integrity of the game is utterly destroyed, and I dont know if you can look at the NBA the same again IF WHAT HE IS SAYING IS TRUE. In my opinion, I think Donaghy is DEFINATLY saying some true fact about what went on, but I think he ABSOLUTLY stretched the truth on some accounts. Maybe there were only a handful of refs who did this or maybe all of them did who knows. All I know is that even though there are some AWFUL calls in the NFL and MLB, those games are not rigged. Same goes to the NHL. But the NBA is almost too easy to rig a game, and these allegations bring that to light. Here is the link to the exceprts courtesy of Deadspin.com.
- Lew
You are living in a dream world if you think our dearly beloved sports leagues are not all rigged.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you have put a wager or two on a sports game only to see the team covering in the last minute on the most ridiculous play of all time.
Pete Rose, gambled on baseball. He said he only bet on his team, which I give him credit for but do you think he was the only one?...I don't...I am sure there were others. Not to mention the umpiring this year. Its not as though they were replacements. Umpiring in baseball can easily dictate the game. A strike zone for one. How many times have you seen a guy have a tight zone and then miraculously call a pitch that is outside, strike 3. Or how many times do you see an ump with a large strike zone that forces batters to swing at balls clearly outside the zone. I know every person is different but lets be honest that throws the game off, and whose to say the Umps aren't planning to manipulate the game similarly to the way refs in the NBA did. Don't even get me started with the check swing.
Now, lets talk football. The most popular sport to bet on. Vegas seems to use pretty accurate lines week in and week out. But how are they so accurate? Well, when looking to bet some bettors look at TRENDS. I mean, thats a great theory and all, but what does the 2006 Giants team have in common with the 2009 Giants team. Not much, but for some reason "professional handicappers" try to use that as one of the logical reasonings behind taking a team.
Secondly, as previously mentioned, it is the number one betting sport in the country. What makes you think Ed Hochuli is a saint and wont mess up games on purpose. Go look at last years Chargers/Steelers game and watch the end. Tell me that game was not rigged. How hard is it to throw a flag for Holding or for a player to slow down their route in order to mistime a ball? Just because we are/were fans of the leagues our whole lives does not mean we should turn our back to the situation.
I hope baseball goes to Instant Replay this year but if they do not it will only prove more as to why the sport is rigged. There is no reason not to go to replay. The only reason that would justify banning replay would be to keep the calls within Umpires control.
--Sid Vicious