Quotes from Donaghy's book (that won't be released)

[Showtime]

Pretty interesting stuff about the refs, and the crap that goes on. The league is a sideshow to me now; nothing more than an entertaining TV show.

http://deadspin.com/5392067/excerpts-from-the-book-the-nba-doesnt-want-you-to-read

Studying under Dick Bavetta for 13 years was like pursuing a graduate degree in advanced game manipulation. He knew how to marshal the tempo and tone of a game better than any referee in the league, by far. He also knew how to take subtle-and not so subtle-cues from the NBA front office and extend a playoff series or, worse yet, change the complexion of that series.

The 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings presents a stunning example of game and series manipulation at its ugliest. As the teams prepared for Game 6 at the Staples Center, Sacramento had a 3–2 lead in the series. The referees assigned to work Game 6 were Dick Bavetta, Bob Delaney, and Ted Bernhardt. As soon as the referees for the game were chosen, the rest of us knew immediately that there would be a Game 7. A prolonged series was good for the league, good for the networks, and good for the game. Oh, and one more thing: it was great for the big-market, star-studded Los Angeles Lakers.

In the pregame meeting prior to Game 6, the league office sent down word that certain calls-calls that would have benefitted the Lakers — were being missed by the referees. This was the type of not-so-subtle information that I and other referees were left to interpret. After receiving the dispatch, Bavetta openly talked about the fact that the league wanted a Game 7.

"If we give the benefit of the calls to the team that's down in the series, nobody's going to complain. The series will be even at three apiece, and then the better team can win Game 7," Bavetta stated.

As history shows, Sacramento lost Game 6 in a wild come-from-behind thriller that saw the Lakers repeatedly sent to the foul line by the referees. For other NBA referees watching the game on television, it was a shameful performance by Bavetta's crew, one of the most poorly officiated games of all time.

 

[Superman]

Step 1: Prepare lemon juice/salt compound.
Step 2: Pick scab.
Step 3: Pour/rub lemon juice/sale compound onto now open sore.
Step 4: Repeat if desired, and enjoy!

 

[hrdboild]

If you read the excerpts posted on that page, all of it seems entirely plausible. In fact, it's exactly the kind of thing we've all noticed anyway (stars get less fouls called against them, certain referees like and dislike certain players and act accordingly, more fouls are called when the game is getting 'out of control', the NBA prefers big-market teams to win and playoff series' to last as many games as possible). And really, as little credibility as this guy has, if you think back to some of the egregiously bad officiating you've seen in NBA games over the years, is there really any other explanation?

 

[VF21]

I'm not going to give Donaghy any of my time and certainly none of my money by supporting his self-serving book. He's still trying to destroy the league for his own purposes IMHO...

Dwell in a dark place, Donaghy. You're no better than the stinky stuff I scrape off my shoes after walking across a cow pasture.

 

[BMiller52]

I'm not going to give Donaghy any of my time and certainly none of my money by supporting his self-serving book. He's still trying to destroy the league for his own purposes IMHO...

Dwell in a dark place, Donaghy. You're no better than the stinky stuff I scrape off my shoes after walking across a cow pasture.

He might be a piece of garbage but I still think what he says has merit because he experienced it first hand. Is he self serving yeah, but at the same time this is stuff that you could see with your own eyes. It's not surprising in the least.

 

[VF21]

What he says is thoroughly and completely contaminated by his own dirty hands. Of course it sounds believable. The best lies are always sprinkled with just enough truth to stand up to the casual observer. He picked things he knew full well would resonate with some fans.

I'm NOT buying his crap; I'm not renting his crap; I'm not even going to stand down wind from his crap.

 

[Showtime]

What he says is thoroughly and completely contaminated by his own dirty hands. Of course it sounds believable. The best lies are always sprinkled with just enough truth to stand up to the casual observer. He picked things he knew full well would resonate with some fans.

I'm NOT buying his crap; I'm not renting his crap; I'm not even going to stand down wind from his crap.

So, he's lying about something that put him behind bars? I'm pretty sure he was in hot water because of something he actually DID, which was bet on games and influence games. Even when he was first in trouble, they said he was betting on other games based upon who was the ref and who was the team. That is confirmed by his accounts which show a clear understanding of the inner workings of NBA officials, and how the team situations and ref staff can determine winners. Remember, he bet on games, not just ones in which he helped cover the spread, but on other games based upon these same points of ref bias. I find everything he said to be believable. You don't tip off your contact and place bets yourself on other games you can't influence without knowing what is going to happen.

 

[BritishColumbia]

May be he is an inveterate liar but NBA is not an angelic place either.

 

[VF21]

Showtime - And yet, at the end of the day, he didn't make much off his insider knowledge AND he's in prison. Sorry, but I'm not going to believe everything he says just because he's been convicted of being stupid. If others choose to, that's fine.

 

[swisshh]

What he says is thoroughly and completely contaminated by his own dirty hands. Of course it sounds believable. The best lies are always sprinkled with just enough truth to stand up to the casual observer. He picked things he knew full well would resonate with some fans.

I'm NOT buying his crap; I'm not renting his crap; I'm not even going to stand down wind from his crap.

And when the truth comes out more and more over the years, will this 'crap' be worth buying? Because it will. It came out about steroids and nobody wanted to hear it. Nobody wanted to listen to Canseco because he was "a dirty cheater just looking to get back at people".

 

[Bricklayer]

Where did that Bavetta quote come from? Donaghy wasn't on the spot so...? Os that supposed to eb asample of what Bavetta might have said? What he was thinking?

 

[swisshh]

I am assuming it is claiming to be said during the pre-game meetings. I am not sure if all refs attend those or just those assigned to work the next game.

 

[bibbinator]

Game 6 was fixed, there is no other plausible explanation for what happened there.

Unfortunately, not too many people give a hoot about whether the Kings were deprived a championship. Most of us are right here on this board I would guess.

 

[Superman]

And when the truth comes out more and more over the years, will this 'crap' be worth buying? Because it will. It came out about steroids and nobody wanted to hear it. Nobody wanted to listen to Canseco because he was "a dirty cheater just looking to get back at people".

Yeah, you can't just blow these guys off anymore. Jose Canseco is turning out to be the most credible person associated with MLB when it comes to PEDs, which no one would have guessed when "Juiced" came out. I don't know that Donaghy is going to have the same things said about him ten or fifteen years from now, but it's kind of a head in the sand thing to just ignore him.

On the other hand, he's earned no credibility, so it's kind of hard to give him more than a couple minutes of your time. If some real evidence comes out to support his claims, then we can talk. I'm not dismissing his claims, but they are certainly not canon at this point.

 

[Bricklayer]

I am assuming it is claiming to be said during the pre-game meetings. I am not sure if all refs attend those or just those assigned to work the next game.

Why would all refs attend those? Not liek they fly them all to one spot to have a pregame meeting. Presumably it would be the reffing team on hand in L.A. I mean, I could be wrong there, but it just makes sense. And if that's true...that quote jumps out as highly dubious. Especially for a ref he just accused of being sneaky at manipulating things.

What I really don't trust about Donaghy is his vindictive nature, and all the quotes about how he was goig to get the NBA etc. etc. Once you've got that as a motivation, throw on the financial motivation of writing a book/seeking fame etc., and I'm going over everything with a fine tooth comb before sanctioning it.

 

[swisshh]

It depends on if Donaghy was working any of the future playoff games or was assigned to be ready to ref games, as I would think notes on what to look for and call would apply to all further games.

If not, then he just exposed his claim as bull.

I do not take his claims as pure revenge. You must understand that people will be dishonest as long as they have something great to lose from honesty. He is already exposed, he has already lost his job and credibility. Human beings seek catharsis.

 

[Bricklayer]

You must understand that people will be dishonest as long as they have something great to lose from honesty.

They will also be dishonest as logn as they have something further to gain from it. In this case revenge and money.

 

[swisshh]

Well, the money is to be seen if he gains it or not.

Revenge is an interesting angle on the issue in that it doesn't really make him honest or dishonest. Revenge based on truth is most likely a more powerful revenge.

Also, while he may want revenge on the NBA for cooperating in the investigation and in leaving him in particular out to dry, I am not sure why he would seek revenge on his co-workers.

Studying under Dick Bavetta for 13 years was like pursuing a graduate degree in advanced game manipulation. He knew how to marshal the tempo and tone of a game better than any referee in the league, by far. He also knew how to take subtle-and not so subtle-cues from the NBA front office and extend a playoff series or, worse yet, change the complexion of that series.

Crawford wanted the game over quickly so he could kick back, relax, and have a beer; [Dick Bavetta] wanted it to keep going so he could hear his name on TV. He actually paid an American Airlines employee to watch all the games he worked and write down everything the TV commentators said about him. No matter how late the game was over, he'd wake her up for a full report. He loved the attention.

And theres tons more just on Bavetta.

 

[tradepeja]

Showtime - And yet, at the end of the day, he didn't make much off his insider knowledge AND he's in prison. Sorry, but I'm not going to believe everything he says just because he's been convicted of being stupid. If others choose to, that's fine.

You don't really believe this do you? Everyone knows Game 6 was fixed. I'm hard pressed anymore to find a Lakers fan that doesn't snicker and blush a little when that game is brought up.

When something is in such consensus and you have a knowledgeable witness giving you first- and second-hand accounts of the actual conspiracy occurring then there is a pretty strong argument to be had. And it can't just be brushed aside by ad hominem like you are trying do.

Sure he's a scoundrel, a dirt bag, and someone worthy of contracting swine flu, but that can't detract totally from what he is saying. You can put it in doubt, but its not like he's spouting some nutcase conspiracy theory that only him and a few guys that look like Dr. Brown from Back to the Future believe in.

 

[oaklandking]

I dont wanna beleive this but come on kings fans weve all watched the same games over the years and we all have seen the BS that gets thrown at the kings even non kings fans agree that we always get the shaft

 

[USNAVY15]

How is this not a must buy potential bestseller. I am enamored with this story and want to read much more. This is all the stuff I used to laugh about with my friends after a crazy game. The problem is this book will have to categorized under fiction to avoid like 15 lawsuits from other refs and the NBA and the government. But, it is very easy to believe this story because of the timing. in the late 80's to the late 90's america was rich, and the bubble had not burst yet. NBA players were looking at 20 million dollar deals and asking for more, it only makes sense that these refs felt like they were on the same level as the players. I hate to say it, but someone was in charge during this era of NBA refs, his name is David Stern, and he should have to be accountable in some fashion to the statements made in the book.

 

[kennadog]

It states that statements are an example of quotes that "won't be released." Yeah they won't be released, because he'd likely get sued for libel. He's have absolutely no facts to support his statements.

Game 6, to me, is one of the worst officiating jobs I've ever seen. It was unbelievable. Was it conspiracy or just flat out incompetence on the part of the refs that night? Only a very few people would know the truth. Is Donaghy lying? Maybe not. Even liars tell the truth sometimes. He just can't prove anything.

I can't just simply accept the statements as undoubtedly true. I have to view them with scepticism. When Donaghy forst talked about this, he'd just been convicted. He sounded like a person who's been caught and punished and his final defense is, "Ok, even if I am guilty, why are you picking on me for doing the same things in games that a bunch of other refs have and are doing?"

You know what really would at least make me feel a smidgen better? If the league ever admits what pretty much everyone knows. That was a horribly officiated game. So bad, in fact, that the Lakers would not likely have won, otherwise.

Heck, the the league never even said a thing about the Samaki Walker 3-pointer at the end of the half in game 5. Video clearly showed it was after the buzzer. Without that 3-points, Horry's buzzer beater doesn't matter. (And that's why instant replay started the next season.)

 

[TheFifthMookie]

This book isn't just about game 6.

It's about a guy who was on the inside of NBA officiating, got caught cheating in the system, and now is trying to do a tell all that affects the credibility of the entire NBA.

Is the book going to be entirely true? probably not, Is it going to have some truths in it? most certainly. Its up to us as the reader to put together the facts and draw our own conclusions.

NBA refs have the most discretion in calls to affect game outcomes more than any other league's refs. It seems plausible to me that the league may have wanted to use that wiggle room to ensure profitability.

 

[piksi]

With everything going on despite the whole situation Tim Donaghy for me is way more credible than David Stern for example. Is he exaggerating in some instances - definitely, does he use hearsay - sure but for me he sounds more plausible. I don't care whether this is revange or money. All that doesn't really make it more or less true.

I would rather trust a thief than a politician any day and twice on Sunday.

 

[beb0p]

Ok, if it's just Tim Donaghy, and him alone, who's saying these things. Fine, ignore him. But there are players, coaches, and sport journalists who said similar things. Tim Donaghy is just another one in a list of insiders who said bias exists.

Plus, I find it hard to believe that Donaghy can write an entire book with nothing but lies. There are professional writers who have hard time with writing fiction, let alone a dumb ex-referee.

Without a doubt Donaghy is trying to harm the NBA. What we don't know is whether Donaghy is trying hit back back lies, truth, or a mixture of both. I'm guessing the later. But anyone who claims to know whether Donaghy is telling the truth is really just blowing hot air. The fact is only Donaghy and a small circle of NBA insiders know how much truth, if any, Donaghy is trying to tell.

 

[Showtime]

Some may say he's lying for revenge. But if his goal was revenge, it could be that he's spilling the beans as well, and that telling the truth actually accomplished revenge. Think about it: if he actually was in an inner circle where the majority of the "big time" refs did shady things, but he was the only one of that circle who was caught, and made to look like a lone rogue when everybody involved with the league knows better and was in on reprehensible actions, then he would have ample motivation to out the rest of the league and tell the truth.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Donaghy is completely non-credible but this is the same way plenty of scandals finally come to light. Look at steroids over the years, it was the guys that were using, many of whom were completely disgraced that finally pulled the curtain back, and for a few years at least people still doubted them.

Donaghy isn't really saying anything new here, its just that he's the first person who was actually behind the scenes to say for certain. At some point others will come forward if its true, but usually the wall has to break before the flood comes in.

 

[Kingzrool]

This is what I believed before reading this and this is what I still believe. Donaghy's lack of credibility is a non-issue for me as far as this is concerned.

 

[bajaden]

I'm not going to give Donaghy any of my time and certainly none of my money by supporting his self-serving book. He's still trying to destroy the league for his own purposes IMHO...

Dwell in a dark place, Donaghy. You're no better than the stinky stuff I scrape off my shoes after walking across a cow pasture.

I'm not going to defend Donaghy, but when Jose Conseco wrote a book about drug abuse in Major league baseball, everyone used the same logical argument against him. Unfortuantely he happened to be telling the truth.

So regardless of his motivation, there may be some truth here also.

 

[dbfish]

Yeah, you can't just blow these guys off anymore. Jose Canseco is turning out to be the most credible person associated with MLB when it comes to PEDs, which no one would have guessed when "Juiced" came out. I don't know that Donaghy is going to have the same things said about him ten or fifteen years from now, but it's kind of a head in the sand thing to just ignore him.

On the other hand, he's earned no credibility, so it's kind of hard to give him more than a couple minutes of your time. If some real evidence comes out to support his claims, then we can talk. I'm not dismissing his claims, but they are certainly not canon at this point.

I tend to agree with you. I won't be buying Donaghy's book, but I won't be burning it either. He is a scumbag for betting on games. BUT, is he the only scumbag out there, or just the one that got caught?