NBA Smoking Gun

My brother called me and asked, "did you hear about Tim Donaghy?"

Honest to gosh, my first thought/response was, "he's dead."

But no, Tim Donaghy is the rogue ref now revealing David Stern's deepest game "manipulating" secrets.

Specifically, Donaghy has told a federal court about improper conduct by the the league and referee involvement regarding some of the more questionably officiated games in recent memory.

In particular, Donaghy sheds light on just how fixed game 6 of the 2002 Lakers-Kings playoff series. "Company men" referees were assigned to that game in order to extend the series because it which was "in the NBA's interest to add another game to the series." Donaghy details the fouls that were committed by the Lakers that were overlooked as well as the "made up fouls" that were called on the Kings.

Donaghy's bombshell could not come at a worse time for the NBA, with the Lakers, beneficiaries of David Stern's ratings-mania back in 2002, now going up against the Boston Celtics in the finals. This series itself has caused many to question how interested and involved league officials were in trying to set up this series matchup between the league's two glamour teams. An issue that came to a head after a questionable no call the Lakers benefited from in the conference finals versus the Spurs.

The Lakers are playing at home tonight and down 2-0 are desperate for a win. After Donaghy's revelations to federal law enforcement authorities, it will be fascinating to see how interested the NBA is in keeping the Lakers alive.