Thanks to Tim Donaghy, and the allegations of his officiating influencing the outcome of NBA games, every call is in question.
There have long been questions regarding professional basketball referees and their calls in the heat of NBA contests. But when the game was over, the inquiries had to be in regard to an official's competency and/or consistency. David Stern and the NBA made it clear never to question an official's integrity.
It is one thing to say "ref you stink!" but entirely another to say "ref you're cheating." Unfortunately now, thanks to Tim Donaghy, and the allegations of his officiating influencing the outcome of games, every call is in question. The confidence of NBA fans is shaken. Was that close call or non-call at a critical juncture in the game above board or was it an attempt to help the number?
There always seemed to be "other" justifications for questionable calls, like the style of play. A familiar refrain pointed out how Team A was more aggressive and that's why they went to the line more than Team B. Or how about this one: He gets that call because he's a veteran, or because he's a star in this league. But finally, there exists the old adage of letting the players decide the game.
But now everyone that watches a game, at least for a while, will have questions about any judgment call, close or not.
It was a sombre David Stern that addressed the media in regard to the situation with Donaghy and the alleged fixing of NBA games. Stern did his best to be composed in the biggest "moment of truth" for the sport during his tenure as commissioner. But even the normally imperturbable Stern looked tormented.
"I can tell you that this is the worst situation that I have ever experienced," said Stern.
Usually people chuckle when he cracks a joke but there was no laughing when he made a comment about the brevity of the finals before discussing the timeline of events surrounding the Donaghy's revelations.
Stern went to great lengths to assure everyone that he would do his best to maintain the "covenant with the fans" and Donaghy's actions were an act of betrayal by a rogue employee, an isolated incident.
The commissioner outlined the close scrutiny that NBA officials experience both on and off the court, as he continued to try and portray Donaghy as an individual not acting on behalf of the NBA but on his own.
There are many character traits that you would like to have associated with your employees and the NBA is no different in trying to find officials who are courageous, persevere, and are fair in their judgment but the bottom line regarding honesty and integrity must form the foundation for an official.
The allegations against Donaghy, if true (and that would seem to be the case), have tainted everything about the game. Players and coaches work hard and put in an honest effort to try and win games. Fans pay hard earned money; but now everyone's trust has been violated. Stern can only hope that as he said that currently, Donaghy is the only referee being investigated.
The gambling website Covers.com will tell you all you need to know about officials and their respective records against the spread (ATS). If it turns out that others are involved, the NBA will never recover its lofty status as conspiracy theorists will have more than just a website to point to for ammunition regarding trends.
Like a veteran boxer, the NBA has survived many blows. Why? Because its trainer, David Stern, has worked the corner in magnificent fashion. He helped them overcome potential crippling haymakers like the sizeable debt that saw them nearly washed away in red ink as he instituted a salary cap. Policies were collectively bargained to control what some perceived to be a drug problem. Marketing the league with names like Magic, Bird and Jordan helped push the game to new heights and then came globalization starting with 1992 Olympic squad that helped turn the NBA into a world wide phenomenon.
But now, the NBA has been rocked, and knocked on its wallet, looking up from the canvass with the officials count on the way to 10. Stern needs to get his fighter up off the mat and get him back in the battle. Regardless of whether he is able accomplish the task, from this day forward -- in the eyes of some fans -- the game has been changed forever.
