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Was Lakers-Kings playoff game fixed?

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Scot Pollard was in the building Tuesday night and that night, a witness to one of the worst-officiated games in recent NBA playoff history. No debate necessary. The box score -- and the videotape -- continues to expose the infamous Game 6. But now, in a manner of speaking, so does Tim Donaghy. The disgraced referee stepped to the microphone in the middle of these NBA Finals and brought the Kings and the Lakers together again, giving an even louder voice to those who will continue to wonder about 2002 well beyond 2008. The phantom fouls on Vlade Divac. The hasty calls on Pollard. The fourth quarter. Mostly, that inexplicable fourth quarter, when both Sacramento centers fouled out and the Lakers were rewarded with a 27-9 free-throw advantage. What about the possibility -- per the Donaghy allegation -- that the league leans on referees to extend series and enhance ratings? That in one of the most memorable matchups of the decade, the officials favored the Lakers to ensure a seventh-game conclusion at Arco Arena? "It entered my mind," admitted Pollard, who is on the injured list but traveling with the Boston Celtics. "It seemed like early on, we didn't have a chance. I'm not saying he (Donaghy) is right, that the game was fixed. I don't have any proof. But one could make that argument. It kind of slapped us in the face, whoa, whoa. Our starters being in early foul trouble, Vlade and I both fouling out. Three technical fouls . . ."

Sacramento Bee

Tim Donaghy, AP Tim Donaghy, AP
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June 11, 2008  07:37 AM ET

If this came from the LA Times it may have a bit more cred. The Sac Bee can buzz off for all I care.

June 11, 2008  07:42 AM ET

Yeah, they're explosive and what if...what if...they're dead on? We all know that the NBA only wants certain faces to be seen--Kobe, Lebron, Timmy, Tony, Shaq, Dwayne Wade, the Boston Big Three....nobody else matters. It wouldn't shock me if this were true. And wouldn't I love to see the outcome!!!

June 11, 2008  07:50 AM ET

Man has no credibility and is damaging his sport even more, now. Give this guy a polygraph. Toss the key away.

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June 11, 2008  07:51 AM ET

i like his jacket

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June 11, 2008  07:55 AM ET

Yeah, OK. You like his jacket. I get it!!!

June 11, 2008  07:56 AM ET

Wouldn't be surprised. I've long suspected David Stern of being in on rigging games for storylines, ratings, and profits. Game 2 in Boston? Worst called game I've seen in all my years of playing basketball.

June 11, 2008  08:00 AM ET

Was this the game Shaq had 5 fouls nearly the entire game and comitted probably 12 fouls but never fouled out of the game?

June 11, 2008  08:01 AM ET

This could be bad...very bad. Worse the Spygate.

June 11, 2008  08:10 AM ET

This guy looks like and could be Steve Carell - from the 40-Year Virgin and Evan Almighty.
Just like Steve Carell played Noah, who received and acted on messages from above, Tim "Almighty" Donaghy is revealing the messages he received from above during the scandals.
- JL

June 11, 2008  08:15 AM ET

This is not news. ... when you see an NBA official do a make up foul because he clearly missed a call the last time down the floor. ... that is clearly an attempt to alter the game. Perception or truth, I have watched enough NBA to know that Barry clearly got fouled in the Laker/Spurs series, but we all know the NBA wanted Boston versue LA. .. If it looks like a fix, sounds like a fix, then it must be . Just like Wrestling. ... for entertainment purposes only when you have preferred endings. ....

June 11, 2008  08:23 AM ET

Ive been saying this for a long time. If you look back in history, the NBA became a soap opera, much like the WWE, once Jordan came into the league and they signed multi billion dollar broadcasting deals with TNT. The league is going to make they show & promote the teams who have the faces that we want to see. And owners of certain teams have alot more influence and power than what we think. Storied franchises like the Lakers, Bulls, Knicks, etc. with alot of money and fan pull never stay on the bottom long. There is a reason for this.....MONEY. At the end of the day, David Sterns job is to make the MOST MONEY POSSIBLE FOR THE NBA. And hes going to do WHATEVER neccesary inorder that this is accomplished. I REPEAT! WHATEVER NECCESARY!

June 11, 2008  08:26 AM ET

Well Fisher's shot hit the rim so how come nobody remembers that.

June 11, 2008  08:29 AM ET

"It's not what you know,
it's what you can prove..."

We can go on and on about conspiracy theories,what happened in game 6 of that series,what happened last year in game 4 between Spurs&Suns,what happened this year between Spurs and Lakers in game 4...blah,blah,blah...the bottom line is ,Does he has any evidence? because if he doesn't ,it's just a bunch of crap,just speculations....Pollard and DIvac got in foul trouble against Shaq? c'mon who didn't? From Ewing,Duncan,Sabonis,Kurt Thomas,I can name all the centers from those years and NOBODY could stop Shaq...I remember even Webber trying to stop Shaq in that series,of course they were gonna get in foul trouble...

June 11, 2008  08:38 AM ET

Come on conspiracy theorists.... you can put up better posts than this.... here's your proof that the NBA is rigged and refs play faves with the marquee players.... guess this isn't exactly news, eh?

June 11, 2008  08:39 AM ET

I find it funny Jackson is blaming the refs for all the free throw opportunities in game two of the series but isn't complaining about 2002.

 
June 11, 2008  08:51 AM ET

Looks like the cred of all the refs just took a haymaker.

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