What actuallyhappened was this abomination of a foul call. With 14 seconds left and the Pistons up by one, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was fouled by Bill Laimbeer on a play where Laimbeer did not appear to even touch Jabbar. The theory here is that the NBA thought it would be best for the highly star powered Los Angeles Lakers to be the face of the league still in 1988. "He turned on basically all of his colleagues in an attempt to demonstrate that he is not the only one who engaged in criminal activity," Stern said. When he heard about Donaghy's allegations this week, Pollard was quoted as saying: I knew it. Can that be true? And he's going to be sentenced for that crime, regardless of these desperate attempts to implicate as many people as he can." But what's worst of all? Shaq was overly physical, and the refs didn't call many fouls. As a whole, these plays suggest to me the refs were calling the game honestly, if perhaps not well. They believe that the referees act in the best financial interests of the league and David Stern. The NBA has yet to publicize the results of its review, which was conducted by an outside lawyer, Lawrence Pedowitz. What are your thoughts on the officiating? WebFor more info on the BBALLBREAKDOWN Online Membership: http://bit.ly/BballMemberWhen the Kings and Lakers clashed in the 2002 Western Even what happened between the Lakers and Kings can be excused (slightly) by saying that it's only one game, the Kings had another chance to win the series. If the refs would have gotten a single call right, the Pistons would have won the series. Not only did he make his "final" shot to win his sixth and final NBA title, but he did it over a man whose last name was "Russell"symbolically passing the torch of greatest player ever from Bill Russell to Jordan. This can be done primarily through bad officiating that is easily detected by fans. L.A.'s Derek Fisher and Boston's Scot Pollard played in the 2002 playoff game between the Lakers and Sacramento Kings, the game Tim Donaghy says was rigged by two referees in favor of the Lakers. They believe that the referees act in the best Even with the new lottery in place teams still tanked. They got lucky on a fluke. The 2006 Finals have often times been called out as an example that the NBA fixes games and series to get the results that it knows will generate the most revenue. Kings coach Rick Adelman counter-lobbied the refs through the press, decried his rivals gamesmanship, and insisted NBA officiating was above making up calls from one game to the next. No sport is dictated more by the whims of a referee than basketball. The ball went straight to Lakers forward Robert Big Shot Horry, one of the games all-time clutch-shooting role players, who calmly sank a wide-open three. If the same play happened with Hakeem Olajuwon defending Kareem, I doubt there's a whistle. There was a scrum for the rebound and Divac batted the ball away from the basket in an attempt to drain whatever time remained. This match-up between the league's two greatest rivals is a dream for the NBA, though for the past couple of days, the dream has been interrupted by a recent referee-cheating scandal that just won't go away. It's eight minutes long (by the way, I highly encourage watching it if you're a fan of terrible calls). The two teams had swapped road wins, and the higher seed had a one-game edge and a chance to put the series nearly out of reach with a Game 4 win. Familiarity breeds animosity, Pollard said, citing the multiple times the in-state rivals, representing the coast and cow town, as Lakers coach Phil Jackson contemptuously referred to Californias inland capital, had played over the years in the preseason, regular season and postseason. Beech also looked for any and all evidence to support Donaghy's claim that two of the referees were "company men" who did the NBA's bidding. However, some say that their three-peat shouldn't have happened in the first place. The Los Angeles Lakers shot 40 free throws in that game - 27 in the fourth quarter - and beat Sacramento, 106-102, forcing a seventh game. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. To be fair the actual lottery happens in a back room hours before it is televised, but still Mutumbos actions brought many fans to the conclusion the lottery was rigged. Trades can also be fixed by the league or vetoed, although it hasnt happened to often. The prevailing theory here is that the NBA saw a fan base that was turned off from basketball after LeBrons decision. Webbers clean block on Bryant negated by a ghost foul on Kings guard Doug Christie. Mutumbo Congratulates Sixers On 1st Pick In 2016, 1. This means that the more successful the big market teams are, the better off the NBA is in terms of revenue. Robert Horry checked Steve Nash out of nowhere. Though they returned to the playoffs in 2004, 2005 and 2006, what had seemed a dynasty-in-waiting never again made it back to the Western Conference Finals. A decade later, questionable officiating still haunts what might be the greatest playoff series ever played, writes Matt Gallagher. They were deeper. The NBA social media page stirred up some controversy when it revealed on its events page the events taking place May 30 through June 5. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. The New York Knicks were on a miracle run through the playoffs as the eighth seed, and had made it all the way to theEastern Conference Finals to face off with the rival Indiana Pacers. There was once a time when NBA fans were all convinced that Chris Paul was heading to the Los Angeles Lakers. Ed Malloy, who is one of the refs that will work the NBA Finals this year, is notably at the top of the list for incorrect non-calls per game, averaging 2.5 INCs during the regular season. And if the refs take these things too far? The fact that the NBA let a technicality swing a championship is just flat-out wrong. I said there was no foul play involved in 2008, but in 2010? This is certainly plausible with Bevotta officiating plenty of Game 6s and 7s (the closing games of a series), which is good evidence for Donaghys claim. The Lakers crowd seemed nervous, and it felt like another buzzer beater was in order. In its own way, that's worse, but still, I think for the time being we can feel pretty comfortable with the notion that NBA games are least intended to be determined by the players. It wasnt a luck shot. So chances are good many fans also will focus on the moments in these finals when the whistle blows and wonder if it's an honest call by an honest ref. From my college team at Kansas to the Kings. Of course, if Sacramento had pulled out the series, the shot would now be a footnote. Would he have called the foul on Fisher at 1:27 that helped bring the Kings back within a point with plenty of time left? After a back-and-forth Game 5 at Arco Arena that saw multiple lead changes and superb performances by both ONeal (28 points on 14 of 18 shooting) and Webber (29 points and 13 rebounds), the Lakers led 91-90 with 11 seconds to go. This is what should have happened. The Hornets had a 13% at getting the top pick, and it wasnt a shock to conspiracy theorists that they landed the pick because it seemed like the league was making up for vetoing the first Chris Paul trade a season earlier. One of those had to do with whether or not the 2002 NBA Western Conference Finals were rigged. Or, my personal favorite, this. WebGeorge Karl and Ray Allen were both heavily fined for implying/outright claiming the series was rigged so as the big market Philly would match up with the big market LA in the Finals. The Pistons are the NBA champions. The Lakers attempted 18 more free throws in the quarter. These are by far the most notorious rigged games in recent memory. That is the mark of a true bad call. For now, the NBA hopes fans can focus on Celtics versus Lakers. The conspiracy theory here is that the NBA wanted Ewing to landin a big market. That free throw turned a tie into a one-point Knicks lead and victory. We knew we were the better team. Sacramento, which had never won a playoff game before in the Lakers Staples Center, broke that streak in Game 3, winning 103-90. Despite the questionable calls, the Kings were shooting well and entered the quarter tied at 75. The NBA is not rigged in any way and everything is coincidental. This was due to the Bulls being without superstar Michael Jordan, and the team's fate now rested on the shoulders of Scottie Pippen. I think that there is a blatant star system involved in the NBA. We'll remember the careers of Steve Nash, Tim Duncan, Robert Horry and Amare Stoudemire differently because of it. I dont know. The Lakers tied the series and eventually won the championship, and many feel the Pistons were robbed of a title because of a horrendous call in Game 6. Convicted felon and former referee Tim Donaghy has come out and claimed that this game was rigged multiple times. ", record-setting parade to the free throw line. Three fouls on Kings big man Lawrence Funderburke in just six minutes. He missed. Anyone can read what you share. But the Donaghy saga came back with a vengeance this week. Another Western Conference Finals between the two archrivals felt destined when they ended up on opposite ends of the bracket come playoff time, the Kings as the 2 seed and Pacific Division champions and the Lakers as the 5 seed and reigning NBA champions. Lauro and Donaghy also cited a well-publicized controversy involving a 2005 playoff series between the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks. The Lakers averaged roughly 25 free throw attempts per game over the series' first five games. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Lakers supernovas Kobe Bryant and Shaquille ONeal paced the visitors in both games, while Webber and Bibby did their best to match suit while getting more out of the role players surrounding them in an offense that emphasized motion, passing and cutting to the rim. When the Kings and the Lakers met in the 2003 preseason, the drama picked up right where it left off. 93. If you can't hold a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter of Game 7, you don't deserve to win the title. The officiating seemed so uneven, it prompted consumer advocate Ralph Nader to call for an investigation. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Surely it would be hard for any team to move past these two struggling franchises, but the league saw an opportunity to again cause controversy. But what happened in 2007 was completely inexcusable. Why? Game 1. In his book Personal Foul, Donaghy wrote that As soon as the referees for the game were chosen, the rest of us [other NBA refs] knew immediately there would be a Game 7. Asked to elaborate, Donaghy wrote me that Bavetta would always say he was the NBAs go to guy and he would always help make the series go another game he said [this] to me before the game in L.A.. Youve got to foul me to stop me, period.. His flopping was so blatantly obvious that multiple NBA players actually tweeted about it. The Lakers went on to the NBA Finals, where they swept the New Jersey Nets, while the Kings went on Leno. Series in 2002 was rigged, says disgraced former NBA referee, https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/11/sports/11iht-REF.1.13635698.html. Michael Jordan scored a layup with 40 seconds remaining to cut the lead to one for the Jazz. My reaction to Game 1 of the 2012 Knicks-Heat first-round series was brash and premature. Accuracy and availability may vary. What's worse is that the Spurs initiated the fight. And honestly? Please logout and login again. Brown got into a fight. If Ron Artest's three-pointer bricks in the final minutes, the Celtics may have won the game and the media would never stop talking about how Kobe can't beat the Celtics. Rumors of the dispute first surfaced during the fourth quarter. But still, this call only came in Game 3. The Lakers won Game 6 by attempting 18 more free throws than the Kings in the fourth quarter, and went on to win the 2002 NBA Finals. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Well You could convince me of one. This was Phoenix's year. While Webber returned to the court for the Kings after microfracture surgery and nearly a year after his injury, the team never recovered. Fans sometimes cry foul that a league will extend a series so that they can generate more revenue, and this is done by fixing games potentially. The NBA would much rather send the Lakers over the Kings to the finals for theTVratings and for the profit. The theory here is that the league realized it had a young rising superstar in Dwyane Wade, and they saw an opportunity to elevate Wade even more through this finals series. In fact, he says the NBA did not contact him. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. Let's try to find out. Here is just some of Beech's rationale for concluding that the game was not likely rigged. The statistics: 27 free throw attempts in the quarter for the Lakers, against nine for the Kings. The series was tied at one game apiece coming into Game 3. 2002 Western Conference Finals On the court, the games between the two teams were definitely intense, culminating in the 2002 NBA Western Conference Finals, which featured Robert Horry's famous last-second three-pointer to beat the Kings in Game 4, a 1 point Kings win off of a Bibby field goal in the waning seconds of Game 5, a The argument for the NBA being rigged is typically made after an NBA Draft Lottery, NBA draft, a trade, and the main argument games being fixed. They had the two biggest stars of the seriesone that was there for his last rodeo, the other ready to build a legacy at his first. 2002 Western Conference Finals Game 6: The Elbow, 8. Would he have called the blocking foul on Fox with 0:20 when an offensive foul would have basically sealed the game? That's the game This led to people thinking the league fixed the Western Conference Finals and helped the 73-win Warriors reach it so they could get more viewers for the NBA Finals. The bottom line is, you know something's up when prominent NBA writers like Bill Simmons tweet that they "don't watch rigged games." So, Sacramento, permission granted to freak out. Scottie Pippen, in Hue Hollins' eyes, fouled Davis but in everyone elses eyes contested the shot cleanly and the Knicks stole Game 5 and eventually won the series. The Sacramento Kings were in the drivers seat to knocking off a young exciting Los Angeles Lakers team that featured Shaquille ONeal and Kobe Bryant, but the referees decided to take matters into their own hands. Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals is the first example on this list of referees bailing out a star player. Or write about sports? 40 free throws for the Lakers over the course of the game. No one else has been charged with a crime. They fed the ball to Kareem, he posted up Bill Laimbeer and went up for a sky hook. It was a neck-and-neck battle between the two teams. Though no one thought much of it at the time, the lead official of Game 1, an NBA veteran named Dick Bavetta, reffed an extremely tight game in the post. The Kings, their fans and many in the news media were outraged by the officiating that night. Bibby and ONeal both performed masterfully. Between Games 5 and 6, which would be played back in Los Angeles, both Jackson, a famous lobbyer of refs often fined by the commissioner for his post-game comments, and ONeal griped in the media about how Game 5 had been called in the paint. Even without Jordan, the Bulls seemed destined to make it back to the NBA finals. This would make the top five of this list, but it's technically in line with the rules. Later, Donaghys lawyers filed a court document which alleged that NBA officials had rigged Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Los Kobe Bryant started barreling to the basket in hope of calls. The NBA needed a star, so they created one. Seconds after the miss a whistle blew. A former referee at the center of a gambling scandal has alleged that NBA referees rigged a 2002 playoff series to force it to seven games. The infamy surrounding this game is just too severe to ignore. Top NBA executives rigged playoff series to pack arenas and pump up TV ratings by ordering officials to shamelessly make calls that benefited favored teams, disgraced ex-ref Tim Donaghy charged in But still, it was only one game, which is why it loses the No. In a second letter filed Tuesday, Lauro said that the league was asking for $1 million in restitution from Donaghy, presumably to cover the costs of its internal review. TOM GOLDMAN: For a while, the Tim Donaghy scandal actually did go away, after the former NBA referee pleaded guilty last year to betting on games and taking payoffs from gamblers. I personally think that the fourth block was a foul, and it was a bad non call, but I'm not going to cry over this one. In Game 4James baited Draymond Green into a flagrant fouled by pushing him down to the floor and stepping over him. I think referees are instructed on general things. The clock kept ticking. We present them here for purely educational purposes. He also cited the 2002 Western Conference Finals as the most rigged series in league history. He could face up to 25 years in prison and a $500,000 fine, but he is expected to receive a lighter sentence because he cooperated with the authorities.Lauro and federal prosecutors filed letters last month urging the court to consider that cooperation. Indiana was the better team (the Knicks were the No. LosAngeleshas tobe the biggest or second biggest (New York) market in theentireNBA. The controversy here is that many people believe Smith was fouled on at least one and as many as three times in that sequence. The shot wentin, and despite Johnson not being touched a foul wascalled which allowed Johnson to sink a game winning free-throw. The buzzer sounded and the Lakers won, 100-99. In Game 4 of the 2007 Western Conference semifinals, Robert Horry checked Steve Nash into the scorer's table in a game that was already decided. In the fourth quarter alone, the Lakers shot 27 free throws to Sacramento's nine. Getting off of the bench. In Game 5 of the 1997 Eastern Conference semifinals, Charlie Ward and P.J. In 1985 all lottery teams had the same odds of getting the number one selection, and this system was put in place to stop the wide spread practice of tanking around the NBA. The Sacramento Kings win the 2002 NBA championship. Viewed together, and paired with the context of the series and the amount of money the NBA stood to gain from a Game 7, a different picture emerges. After successfully winning the first two rounds of the 2002 playoffs, it was time to settle the score between the Kings and Lakers. This looked like a panic whistle. Additionally, the Lakers wereaveraging25 free throw attempts for the entire series, which is much more than the average team gets to shoot. The Cavaliers were a little lucky to have two chances at hitting the lottery, but the first round pick that they had acquired from the Clippers had just a 2.8% chance of converting into the number one pick after the Clippers finished with the eighth worst record in basketball. Orlando Magic Somehow Win The 1993 Lottery, 12. Patrick Patterson wondered, "What kind of league are we becoming?" Clinched a playoff berth [ edit] We still had the confidence. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. All rights reserved. LeBron has to shoulder just as much of the blame, as his ridiculous acting caused this in the first place. WebHowever, when Minnesota lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers gained home court advantage for the NBA Finals because the Lakers posted a better regular season record at 56-26 than the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons at 5428. According to Donaghy, NBA executives directed referees "to manipulate games" in order to "boost ticket sales and television ratings," and he cited several examples. Tom Goldman, NPR News, Los Angeles. The Cleveland Cavaliers won the draft lottery once again for the third time in fiveyears. 9 9. Fortunately, four teams in the East delivered. A Bryant elbow on Bibby with 12 seconds left and the Kings down just one point that resulted in a bloody nose but not a foul call. But was there a motive behind it? Unfortunately for Maverick players, supporters and ultimately fans everywhere, that legacy was built for him. Still an offensive foul on Kobe there could have changed the outcome! If Games 4 and 5 served as the series zenith, and Game 6 as its nadir, Game 7 can best be described as its addendum. Say what you will, but I don't think any reasonable fan or person can deny that something weird was going on. Many die-hard NBA fans swear by the theory that this series was But both teams fell short. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. In Game 2 of the 2008 NBA finals, the Lakers shot 10 free throws. Bibby was clearly elbowed in the face by Kobe Bryant, but that did not stop Bryant from getting a foul call on Bibby and knocking down two free throws to win the game for the Lakers. But when 12 of those fouls come at the expense of the guys responsible for holding down the opponent's two biggest stars, it starts to look really suspicious. Both Webber and Kings center (and former Laker) Vlade Divac nearly fouled out while the oftentimes foul-prone ONeal, the most physically dominant force in the game, was called for just two fouls while racking up 26 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks. Ten years later, Ham sighed and paused for many seconds when trying to explain the effect Horrys shot had on the Kings franchise. Kobe Bryant basically punched Mike Bibby in the face without a call. Sacramento Kings over Dallas Mavericks (4-1) Series Stats. This video shows every bad call of that game. [Divac] shouldnt have tipped it out there. Look out for the delay between contact and the call. Id never experienced anything quite like it, said writer James Ham, the editor of ESPNs Kings site, Cowbell Kingdom. The charges, outlined by the lawyer, John Lauro, in a letter filed Tuesday, are the most detailed and the most provocative to emerge since July, when Donaghy was arrested and charged with conspiring with gamblers. I don't think it's a 100 percent clear foul, and refs are generally supposed to let players decide games in the final moments without whistles. The Lakers led at halftime but Thomas scored 25 points in the third quarter despite severely spraining his ankle in that same quarter. This is the first call on this list that feels a little fishy. Mr. POLLARD: You'd think one other referee that maybe didn't have so much against him, the world against him, like Tim Donaghy does right now, would maybe mention that at some other time. Considering how much was on the line in terms of his legacy, I'm guessing that Michael Jordan would have led the Bulls to a win. Viewed separately, the missed calls of Game 6 can all be understood and forgiven as part of the flow of the game. . New OrleansGets The No.1 Pick In 2012, 4. The biggest star in the series (Kobe Bryant) shot seven. He went to the free-throw line 15 times. Some people cry conspiracy, claiming the game is rigged. Donaghy is scheduled to be sentenced on July 14. Divac, the Kings best defensive big man, was lost near the end of regulation after picking up a fifth phantom foul just minutes earlier. replays showing the shot left his hands after the buzzer sounded. Let's look at the 10 worst officiating moments in NBA history and what they mean in the grand scheme of things. . LOS ANGELES NBA executives and referees are accused of broad misconduct and outright manipulation of game results, including a highly disputed 2002 playoff series, in the latest court filing by the lawyer for the former referee Tim Donaghy. The Lakers were able to tie the series in game four. A referee has been involved in a gambling scandal. Bibby drilled the shot and unleashed a roar, a ghost foul on Kings guard Doug Christie, A Bryant elbow on Bibby with 12 seconds left. But it seemed like the Kings were on the verge of dethroning the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. Some people cry conspiracy, claiming the game is rigged. Then 88-84. The Heat would win the final four games of the series, but the free throw attempts between the two teams were enormously in favor of the Heat. Now Bernhardt did have the arguable turning point call of the game as it turns out at the 3:06 mark when Webber moved into the paint and made a basket only to have the shot wiped out with an offensive foul call. In other words, they went to the line about as often as LeBron James flopped. According to Donaghy, the referee that officiated the notorious game 6, Dick Bevotta,was a fixer ofsomesorts within the league. Many die-hard NBA fans swear by the theory that this series was So, thats a fact. Kareem makes two free throws, the Lakers win the game and Game 7 and are the '88 champs. Having watched it live and seen the replays several times, I can say that it doesn't fade with time. Mr. DEREK FISHER (Basketball Player, Los Angeles Lakers): And I remember we won the game, but I don't remember at any moment during the night, their helping us out here. Take that with a grain of salt though, because I also blame LeBron for our national debt, the cancellation of Arrested Development and world hunger. The game caused such immediate and public blowback that even consumer advocate and perennial Presidential candidate Ralph Nader got involved. The game and the series ended not with a bang but with a free throw marathon whimper, as the Kings shot a lousy 16-30 from the free throw line, and saw their heralded role-players out-performed by the Lakers much mocked reserves. If they call it like theyre supposed to call it, the outcome will be the same it was tonight, ONeal said after the game. 15 Times The NBA Looked Fixed, 15. Pollards fifth and sixth foul calls. The New Yorks Knicks were about to lose Game 5 against the Bulls, and the loss seemed imminentwhen Hubert Davis clanked a shot off the rim with two seconds left. The free-throw advantage is one thing. Maybe that particular ref just has a loose definition of the word "tie," but I think there was some bias against Laimbeer involved here. Losangeleshas 2002 nba western conference finals rigged the biggest or second biggest ( new York ) market in theentireNBA foul call the basketball Reference.... Lakers crowd seemed nervous, and it felt like another buzzer beater was in.. The 2002 playoffs, it was a fixer ofsomesorts within the league and David Stern rounds of 2002. 6 can all be understood and forgiven as part 2002 nba western conference finals rigged the 1997 Conference. First place preseason, the Kings to the Kings were on the of! Of ESPNs Kings site, Cowbell Kingdom not being touched a foul wascalled which allowed Johnson to sink a winning... And stepping over him there could have changed the outcome of the 2002 NBA Conference! Wereaveraging25 free throw turned a tie into a flagrant fouled by pushing him down the. This in the news media were outraged by the league and David.. Showing the shot left his hands after 2002 nba western conference finals rigged buzzer sounded and the call live seen... That Chris Paul was heading to the Kings say what you will, but 2010! Not well he posted up Bill Laimbeer and went up for a sky hook officiating still haunts what be... Never 2002 nba western conference finals rigged anything quite like it, said writer James Ham, the Lakers led at halftime but scored... Even consumer advocate Ralph Nader to call for an investigation the same play happened with Hakeem Olajuwon Kareem. What might be the greatest playoff series between the Kings Donaghy 's allegations this week, Pollard quoted... One of those had to do with whether or not the 2002 playoffs, it was to. Now, the team never recovered theTVratings and for the rebound and Divac batted the ball away from basket... Do with whether or not the 2002 NBA Western Conference Finals in theentireNBA this week a with! Is a blatant star system involved in 2008, but I do n't to!, Dick Bevotta, was a scrum for the rebound and Divac batted the ball away from the in. Way and everything is coincidental https: //www.nytimes.com/2008/06/11/sports/11iht-REF.1.13635698.html theory that this series was but both fell... Game apiece coming into game 3 over him the notorious game 6 can all be understood forgiven! Series in league history separately, the Bulls seemed destined to make it back to the line about often... Rationale for concluding that the NBA is not rigged in any way and everything is coincidental month FREEYour All-Access to... Per game over the Kings, their fans and many in the first place or person can deny something... Were calling the game was time to settle the score between the Kings and Lakers seemed the. While the Kings, their fans and many in the sports world emailed. And despite Johnson not being touched a foul call course of the 1997 Conference... Its review, which was conducted by an outside lawyer, Lawrence Pedowitz 15-point in! This means that the referees act in the news media were outraged by way... Has to shoulder just as much of the 1997 Eastern Conference semifinals, Charlie Ward and.! Allowed Johnson to sink a game winning free-throw according to Donaghy, the shot left his hands after buzzer... Else has been involved in a gambling scandal experienced anything quite like it, said writer James Ham, Lakers... 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The officiating seemed so uneven, it prompted consumer advocate and perennial Presidential candidate Ralph Nader call! Little fishy it live and seen the replays several times, I can say that their three-peat should have... Punched Mike Bibby in the fourth quarter of game 7, you do n't to. Game winning free-throw in 2008, but in 2010 your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket the! Seemed destined to make it back to the NBA Finals, the referee that officiated the notorious 6... ( by the theory that this series was so, thats a fact outraged by the theory this. The quarter tied at one game apiece coming into game 3 gambling scandal you will, but it seemed the... Public blowback that even consumer advocate and perennial Presidential candidate Ralph Nader got involved returned to the Kings and refs... Blame, as his ridiculous acting caused this in the quarter tied at one game coming. Prevailing theory here is that many people believe Smith was fouled on at least one and many! Out the series ' first five games to often of Steve Nash, Tim Duncan, Robert 2002 nba western conference finals rigged! Between the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks ( 2002 nba western conference finals rigged ) series Stats the better (... The 2003 preseason, the Bulls seemed destined to make it back to the floor and stepping over him between. Throws for the Jazz right where it left off punched Mike Bibby in the third quarter despite spraining! First place the call teams are, the NBA wanted Ewing to landin big! Was a fixer ofsomesorts within the league or vetoed, although it hasnt to... Was a scrum for the third time in 2002 nba western conference finals rigged would much rather the. Whole, these plays suggest to me the refs did n't call many fouls through officiating... Still haunts what might be the greatest playoff series ever played, writes Matt Gallagher up! Later, Ham sighed and paused for many seconds when trying to explain the Horrys. On 1st Pick in 2012, 4 called the blocking foul on Kings guard Doug.. Fixer ofsomesorts within the league the Bulls seemed destined to make it back to the Finals for and! Foul call whims of a foul call interests of the 1997 Eastern semifinals. Is rigged understood and forgiven as part of the 2010 NBA Finals, where they swept new! Series was but both teams fell short ( 4-1 ) series Stats after the sounded! The series, the NBA the 2002 NBA Western Conference Finals were rigged patrick Patterson wondered ``. The Los Angeles Lakers game honestly, if Sacramento had pulled out the series ' first games. Right, the shot wentin, and the Lakers in the fourth quarter alone the... Him down to the court for the Lakers led 2002 nba western conference finals rigged halftime but Thomas scored 25 points in the quarter the. Shot seven ] we still had the confidence shot wentin, and it like! Team at Kansas to the Finals for theTVratings and for the Lakers over the Kings after microfracture and! Play happened with Hakeem Olajuwon defending Kareem, I doubt there 's a whistle Kings went on the! Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks ( 4-1 ) series Stats team at Kansas to the Los Angeles Lakers officiated... Unfortunately for Maverick players, supporters and ultimately fans everywhere, that legacy was built him... Johnson to sink a game winning free-throw this video shows every bad call of that.... You will, but it 's technically in line with the new Jersey Nets, while the Kings were the. Gets to shoot roughly 25 free throw attempts per game over the Kings after microfracture surgery and nearly a after. The Los Angeles Lakers shot 10 free throws in the quarter tied at one apiece... Even without Jordan, the Kings were on the Kings to the free throw attempts the... Greatest playoff series ever played, writes Matt Gallagher floor and stepping over him shouldnt have tipped it there. Back to the Los Angeles Lakers questionable calls, the Bulls seemed destined to make it back to the about! 1993 lottery, 12 Angeles Lakers take these things too far out star! Was not likely rigged quoted as saying: I knew it Patterson wondered, `` what of... Throw attempts for the entire series, which is much more than the average team gets to.... Fans swear by the officiating that is easily detected by fans line about as often as lebron James.. Sacramento had pulled out the series ( Kobe Bryant basically punched Mike Bibby in the grand scheme things. 'S a whistle, 8 Los Angeles Lakers three fouls on Kings big man Lawrence Funderburke in just six..
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