NBA zebras - a (very useful) look behind the scenes

**jcygts6** · 10-29-09, 05:03 PM

thanks was looking for this to justify how FIXED the NBA is

**nosniboR11** · 10-29-09, 05:31 PM

yep national black ass., this league is the biggest fuc k up out there, you want to get cheated bet nba

**tropolis** · 10-29-09, 05:37 PM

why do people believe a felon? some of you have such high moral standards, NOT!

im not saying some things he said about star treatment is wrong, hell look at the nfl, if you touch the QB, you get penalized.

this is the last person id believe though. has no credibility.

**Dark Horse** · 10-29-09, 05:50 PM

No credibility?

They said the very same thing about Jose Canseco.

I recognize many of the allegations, including the quick fouls on a star player to have him benched, and the fixed 2007 series between Suns and Spurs.

The guy that has nothing left to lose can afford to be brutally honest. People who stand to lose much, on the contrary, will go to great lengths to protect their lies. I simply note that the NBA/Stern has threatened to sue if the book is published.

Would you really trust someone like Stern over somebody who has already lost everything? Stern is just going to tell you what he wants you to believe; like a politician.

**tropolis** · 10-29-09, 06:07 PM

Originally posted by Dark Horse

No credibility?

They said the very same thing about Jose Canseco.

I recognize many of the allegations, including the quick fouls on a star player to have him benched, and the fixed 2007 series between Suns and Spurs.

The guy that has nothing left to lose can afford to be brutally honest. People who stand to lose much, on the contrary, will go to great lengths to protect their lies. I simply note that the NBA/Stern has threatened to sue if the book is published.

Would you really trust someone like Stern over somebody who has already lost everything? Stern is just going to tell you what he wants you to believe; like a politician.

he has a book to peddle off and sell. of course he's going to make it controversial, gets more people talking about it like we are now.

just because he writes it down doesn't mean its true. especially from a guy like him.

you already think the nba is rigged so you automatically believe anything anyone says about it being rigged, so what does it matter if he made it up or not? which he may very well have.

you dont care. its what you believe and what you want to read, so you are satisfied. im sorry, but i need a credible referee. one retired guy, one, to step up and back him, then i'll pay attention.

**Wrecktangle** · 10-29-09, 08:01 PM

A book like this is good because folks will now look for "ref abuse" of the rules. The media will pick it up and the NBA can lose face and eventually butts in seats, so I'm pretty sure the NBA will be watching the refs and the refs will play it straighter.

Stern cannot suppress this now, it will get out.

**Joe Dogs** · 10-29-09, 08:23 PM

If Donaghy is perceived as a scumbag and a lier,why would the NBA care what he has to say.

**tropolis** · 10-29-09, 08:40 PM

Originally posted by Joe Dogs

If Donaghy is perceived as a scumbag and a lier,why would the NBA care what he has to say.

defamation of character.

you can't slander a company without reasonable cause.

there is none for donaghy, which is why i dont believe one word he says.

**tropolis** · 10-29-09, 08:46 PM

and I guess people don't care or believe donaghy either, since this has been out for awhile now and the nba just had its best opening night in 26 years rating wise. by the way, that 3.7 on that double header rivaled mlb's playoffs ratings. ive said for awhile, the nba will soon pass mlb, they are practically even now as we speak.

NBA Tips Off to Huge Ratings on TNT

Viewer average of 3.7 million is pro hoops' best opening number in 26 years.

By Daniel Frankel
Published: October 29, 2009

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Slideshow

On the Red Carpet
Stars arrive for the 61st annual Primetime Emmy Awards.

(See TheWrap's complete Emmys coverage.)

Continuing its recent hot shooting streak with television audiences, the NBA debuted to its highest opening-night ratings in 26 years of coverage by TNT.
Tuesday night’s double-header on TNT, which featured the Boston Celtics beating LeBron James’ Cleveland Caveliers (with the newly added Shaquille O'Neal) and the Kobe Bryant-led Los Angeles Lakers trumping the L.A. Clippers, was watched by an average of 3.7 million viewers.
That’s the biggest opening-night pro basketball audience for the Time Warner-owned cable channel in the 26 years since it signed its first broadcast contract with the NBA – a span that includes the halcyon days of Michael Jordan’s playing career.
In fact, for TNT, that’s the biggest audience for an NBA doubleheader of any kind since January 1996, when the channel’s coverage was capped by Jordan’s Chicago Bulls beating the Lakers right after Earvin "Magic" Johnson returned from a five-year retirement.
For both TNT and the NBA, ratings bottomed out three years ago, with the not-so-glamorous, mid-market-situated San Antonio Spurs won their fourth championship in the last decade.
However, with Bryant putting media-capital-situated glamour team the Lakers back on top last season, and new stars like James emerging, pro hoops ratings have been incendiary over the last 12 months, with league broadcast partners TNT, ESPN and ABC all enjoying significant ratings upticks last season.
And based on Tuesday night’s doubleheader, which was up 43 percent over last year’s draw of 2.6 million viewers, ratings this season could be even better.

**Dark Horse** · 10-29-09, 08:51 PM

Anyway, I placed this in the capping section for a reason, and it wasn't to discuss whether or not Donaghy is credible or not.

For those of us who include zebras in our capping, this book may confirm what we already knew or suspected, and may shed light on other areas. A rare look behind the scenes into the world of referees.

**durito** · 10-29-09, 08:53 PM

Ask yourself this:

Why has comecourt in the NBA playoffs in game 3 been so much more valuable for teams down 2-0 than any other time? Desperation play? That doesn't work in other situations.

It was revealed some time ago that the networks lose money if a playoff series only goes 4-5 games. 7 games makes them the most $.

**Rich Boy** · 10-29-09, 11:11 PM

Even if the NBA is rigged, its impossible for someone without inside information to predict which way the fix will go. Therefore all rigged games should even out and wont affect win/loss %

Having said that, just stay away from full game totals and spreads/ML's and you wont be affected by rigged games. Bet quarters, halves, teasers, etc

**TotallyTilt** · 10-30-09, 03:20 AM

Watch Game 3 of the 1999 NBA finals and come back and tell me that game wasn't rigged. The Knicks were so overmatched by the Spurs that there wasn't a remote chance they could win a game without the help of the officials. And boy did they get help.

**Arilou** · 10-30-09, 09:19 AM

This is how the NBA works. Deal with it. Handicapping what the officials will do is no different than handicapping the teams, players or coaches. It's part of the game, and if you can't figure out the incentives of the zebra suits it is not because you didn't have enough information!

**username474** · 10-30-09, 10:14 AM

I would have read the book regerdless of how sensationalized I think it was going to turn out. I highly doubt that the real story could fill a kids book though. Was Donaghy asked directly to strech out a playoff series by the NBA front office ? Possibly. Do I think the NBA is massively courpt? No. Did he personlly fix the outcome of more then ten games? No. Him giving out the referee schedule to a bookie would be hard to write a chapter on, let alone a book. The NBA is NOT worried about what is in the book, they are just worried that it will be national sports news for a few days and would rather Donaghy be swept under the rug for good.

**Dark Horse** · 10-30-09, 12:55 PM

NBA wants to sweep it under the rug. No question. But if this does blow up, it could eventually put zebras in the uncomfortable chairs before congress. 'I have never, ever used steroids'...

I do think it needs to come out, because I've seen way too many ridiculous calls over the years. The one that always comes to mind first is Nash with the ball, with the lead in LA and seconds to play, screaming time out (being ignored by the refs), and Luke Walton, with his foot out of bounds, trying to grab the ball from Nash. Salvatore was photographed at this moment, and was looking right at Walton's foot. No time out, no out of bounds. Jump ball to the much taller Walton. This was a crucial playoff game. The final possession went to the Lakers and they won the game.

It's been so obvious for so many years. Let's get it all out there. Let the chips fall where they may. I personally think Stern would look great in a striped suit. And the game needs to be cleaned up.

**ShamsWoof10** · 10-30-09, 02:14 PM

I recommend reading the book "The Fix".... I was told by someone who attends camps that refs. would say in a blow out game "Ok guys GAME MANAGEMENT... less fouls on the team behind and more on the team ahead... " If he turns a game on and he sees a certain ref. doing a game he'll bet the dog blindly..

The NBA is rigged but this makes it look like it's just refs. doing it and that is FAR from the truth... I think the coaches are in on it as well and that SUNS/Lakers game a couple years back that Dono. did where they scored something like 32 pts. in 1:40 secs. to barely put it over is a clear example..

**Wrecktangle** · 10-30-09, 10:43 PM

This thing has to come out on the black market...

**Peeig** · 10-31-09, 11:59 AM

I agree, this thing will filter out one way or another

**Robert Schroeder** · 10-31-09, 12:33 PM

Same thing with any sport you gamble on . big holding call here , a strike there , fouls in nba , roughing the passer in the nfl , strikes in mlb , all the same boys and girls. Your still going to gamble hopefully your on the right side !!!!!!!!

**tropolis** · 10-31-09, 12:39 PM

Originally posted by Robert Schroeder

Same thing with any sport you gamble on . big holding call here , a strike there , fouls in nba , roughing the passer in the nfl , strikes in mlb , all the same boys and girls. Your still going to gamble hopefully your on the right side !!!!!!!!

exactly. you can say a fix is in on any wrong call or call you think is wrong.

thats what happens though on a forum full of degens