NBA Voodoo: David Stern Fixes the Playoffs

A Different Drummer ^ | 5 June 2002 | Nicholas Stix

[mrustow]

Article argues that NBA Commissioner David Stern wanted so much for the Los Angeles Lakers to extend their two-consecutive NBA championships to a "threepeat," that he fixed the Western Conference Finals against the Sacramento Kings.

[diamond6]

May I recommend an optometrist?

[d14truth]

IF the playoffs were fixed, I would look to the NBC, not the NBA. A new television deal is on the table. How would the 'ratings' be for Sacramento & New Jersey? Wouldn't bode well for selling the 'advertising minutes'. The NBA is selling the whole season and ALL teams, TV is buying the 'playoffs' and the 'PRIME TIME' advertising minutes. Who needs the 'ratings' for the coming series?

[mrustow]

But if the NBA/NBC/CFR was going to fix the series for the Lakers, and was going to fix it to get a game 7, how on earth would they have let the Kings win Game 4?

The Kings?

Then all it would take would be for the Lakers to not show up at one game and presto, Kings in Finals. So if your theory of fixing is to have any merit, Game 4 would have been fixed for the Lakers.

You draw conclusions that have no basis in the grounds you claim precede them, and then you stick the whole, big mess in my mouth. I guess that makes life easy.

But instead it ended in a way that could never have been fixed. Thus your theory is disproven by Game 4, whether you want to discuss it or not.

My theory?

It's really easy to "prove" a theory, if you put words in someone's mouth, carry out an incoherent argument, and come to the conclusion you've predetermined. If this were Logic 101, you'd get an "F."

But I did enjoy the "CFR" bit.

[SlickWillard]

The[re] are different rules for Shaq. Period. End of statement.

This is an absolute, metaphysical, tautological truth. Don't lose any sleep over people who try to tell you otherwise. Hell, if you put some effort in it, I imagine you could find some people who believe the moon is made of cheese.

[SlickWillard]

Remember 135-131 games WITHOUT the benefit of a three-point line?

The reason they can't score 135 points anymore is because it's virtually impossible for a man to move his body [much less jump in the air and release a basketball] when he's got a 250 lb criminal clinging to his waist.

[diamond6]

Enjoy the Finals this year and the next two years, Sick.

[Skooz]

Her eager letters, report cards and school pictures -- all sent certified mail -- fell into a black hole of silence. Corrie, now 20, keeps hoping things will change. "I've never gotten so mad that I haven't wanted to see him," she confesses.

That is heartbreaking. Any father who doesn't take advantage of spending time with his daughter has no idea what he is missing. If this is true, Larry Bird is an ungrateful idiot undeserving of anyone's sympathy or adoration.

[SlickWillard]

I hadn't seriously watched the NBA for years, and had just heard how bad the officiating had gotten. Then I got sucked in to this series. I wont make the mistake again.

I'm with you. It's the same way at the college level. I don't even care about my Alma Mater anymore, and I used to be a hoops zealot.

[diamond6]

The reason they can't score 135 points anymore is because it's virtually impossible for a man to move his body [much less jump in the air and release a basketball] when he's got a 250 lb criminal clinging to his waist.

This sounds like my argument. I wholeheartedly agree.

[diamond6]

The reason they can't score 135 points anymore is because it's virtually impossible for a man to move his body [much less jump in the air and release a basketball] when he's got a 250 lb criminal clinging to his waist.

This sounds like my argument. I wholeheartedly agree.

[A CA Guy]

If the refs followed the letter of the law on all the rules, Shaq would be scoring at least 45 points a game every day and players would be fouling out a heck of a lot more.

Game 5 was gifted to Sacramento and some say game 6 was given back to the Lakers.

In game 7 the refs went against the Lakers most of the time and only the overtime was more equal with mostly non-calls.

Ir the refs did their job, Lakers would have won in 6 or 5, not 7.

[FreeTally]

You are one obnoxious dip sh!t, aren't you?

We have stopped responding to your stupidity. Please refrain from continuing to post to us.

[GoreIsLove]

Exactly. As he is in Sac to Stojakavic, Webber and Bibby. My defense of Vlade came as a result of someone who said he wouldn't crack the Laker starting five in lieu of Walker or Horry at the four, or that he'd even make the team. If the Laker's had a reliable backup to Shaq, or someone else to bang inside like Ho Grant last year or Oakley potentially next year, Shaq wouldn't get so banged up himself as he has this year. Playing Vlade at the four in limited action, and at center (to get Shaq some needed rest) would be devastating for any team that played LA. This is all conjecture of course. Imagine if LA still had Doug Christie and Anthony Peeler instead of Deavan George and MItch Richmond.

[Fausto]

The NBA prohibited zone defenses because they would take away from the *star power* of the league. NBA is not marketed to be team basketball, it's marketed based on its star players. The league also has a big hand in determining who its stars are. Great example, the Bulls didn't start winning their championships until Scottie Pippen started getting the league's star treatment (no traveling calls, favorable foul calls etc.). With two big *superstar* labeled players on the same team in a big market, is it any wonder the Bulls won their championships. Nobody else came close in star power. Same for the Lakers. Two big, anointed superstars in a large market. Phil Jackson is just along for the ride. You want to see the real coach (not "zen motivational guru" babysitter of both franchises), look at Tex Winter.

[diamond6]

Thanks for the complement. I can see you are overflowing with intelligent discourse. Of course, it would be nice if you could stick to the subject.

[diamond6]

If Kobe hadn't been poisoned, we might have taken care of business in 4 games.

[gubamyster]

Imagine if LA still had Doug Christie and Anthony Peeler instead of Deavan George and MItch Richmond.

That's a lot of "what ifs". That's why there is an All Star game. You need to trade players to get players & hopefully have the right chemistry - all under the salary cap.

[Night Hides Not]

Thanks for your fine work, Willard. Great post (and a relief to know that I hadn't totally lost my memory...despite what my kids say!).

[The KG9 Kid]

"... You could put a bunch of punks from any court in America on the floor with an NBA team..."

... and they'd get soundly thrashed no matter which way the calls went.

[rdb3]

...when he's got a 250 lb criminal clinging to his waist.

Non sequitur.

These cats just can't shoot the rock anymore.