The NBA is Fixed?

Fixed?

Not in the sense that the title may imply.

At least through the eyes of David Stern, "fixed" represents the marketing prowess that the NBA believes that it enjoys worldwide. There is no doubt that Stern has done this job well serving as the commissioner of league that has grown significantly in international popularity.

These days, you can find LeBron James jerseys in Paris, Yao jerseys in China, and countless other jerseys of NBA stars at points all over the world. Job well done, Mr. Commissioner.

All this frenzy from a league that as late as the 1970's still showed the NBA Finals broadcasts on tape delay.

Stern "fixed" the NBA by predominately having players marketed instead of teams. No longer was it the Sixers against the Lakers with Dr. J and Kareem. Instead it was Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls take on Karl Malone and the Utah Jazz.

Stern gave the NBA "star power" like it never had before. And "power" he gave.

Brilliant, some have said of Stern through the years.

With the current Tim Donaghy controversy at the forefront, and through all of Stern's marketing prowess, has he dropped the ball in the most basic fundamental of all, which is maintaining the integrity of the game?

"Fixed", is a word to many watching the NBA that has another meaning too.

For years now, and especially with the advent of the David Stern "star power", the NBA has faced the uncertainty of rules enforcement.

The obvious

While beginning a drive towards the basket, Allen Iverson receives a contact foul at the 3 point line against the Magic. Iverson finished his drive successfully, and was awarded a free throw due to the foul.

The problem in this instance was that Iverson never once dribbled the ball after the foul. He took four full steps from contact at the 3 point line to the finishing the shot without the ball once touching the floor.

So, how does the NBA defend this? Oh, that's right, it was a continuation. OK.....

We won't get into the John Stockton holds, the Shaq clear-out post ups or his camping in the lane, Iverson palming the ball, or the seemingly infinite other privileged rules interpretation that stars get from NBA referees.

When Shaq was in his prime, did the 3 second count only start when the opposing bench yells it to the referees?

You do not have to be a knowledgeable person to recognize inconsistencies during games.

The not so obvious

Calls get one sided at times, primarily due to more aggressiveness by one team over another.

Coaches will change the call frequency often during games. The angry coach gets a technical foul by baiting an official, then shortly thereafter the calls usually balance themselves out.


The make up call

Dwight Howard has solid position in the deep post, starts his drop step, is grabbed by his jersey and then gets hammered on the side of his head by Brendan Haywood. Howard misses the shot, the Wizards get the rebound and play continues.

No foul call.

Next time down, Howard receives the entry pass while stationery, Haywood is barely touching the Magic center, and the whistle blows.

Foul. OK....

The make up call happens far too often for any level of fan interest. Imagine an umpire in baseball calling the next runner out because he mistakenly called the previous runner safe.

Or a sideline judge in football calling the next pass complete because he erred on the previous play by ruling it incomplete.

Credibility

How can a league ever have credibility when make up calls are considered normal procedure but are an unwritten rule?

Of course, David Stern would deny this.

How can a league have credibility when stars play to different rules interpretations than other players? Just ask the players if this isn't the case.

The NBA would deny this as well. But the eyes of millions of observers do not believe the sincerity of the NBA's explanations.

Then there are the home court rules, the bad player rules, and of course, the superstar rules. It's no wonder that the NBA can't be consistent.

There are just too many rules to enforce.

Tim Donaghy

Now the NBA faces it's biggest dilemma since the cocaine crazed early 1980's.

Because of all of the different (albeit denied) rules standards given for various situations, the word "fixed" has appeared. The naysayers cry out that evidence is in hand, all you have to do is watch the tapes. Playoff tapes at that.

The hyped NBA Finals are near midstream, yet all discussions these days start with the name Tim Donaghy. Is it true, or isn't it? Donaghy is a crackpot liar, rat, and a gambler, or so the league defenders argue.

Or, can he be telling the truth? Donaghy has little to gain by perpetuating false claims to the FBI. Ask Martha Stewart how well that works out. He does have a lot more to lose if these accusations are a figment of his imagination.

Steering

The truth of Donaghy's claims probably lie somewhere in the middle of "he's a lying rat" to the NBA is "fixed".

It is obvious that games, players, and even situations are "steered" at times by officials.

Sometimes it's necessary (games can get very rough) for safety, sometimes it's done to right a wrong (which is still wrong), and maybe it's done to keep games close (tickets are expensive) and provide consistent fan enjoyment.

The fix

It's time for Stern to actually fix the game itself. The NBA is a great product, but is not a great game anymore. There are just too many obvious discrepancies for the game to stay mainstream with the sports fans.

At some point, accountability may be required from the public, or the NBA may just continue it's fall into the WWE mentality. What a loss of a beautiful sport.

Quit the cover ups, stop sidestepping bad performances by officials, and at minimum restore consistency with rules interpretations. This might mean losing some officials, but for the integrity of the game is probably worth it. Doing any or all of these might prevent a future Tim Donaghy from appearing.

It's your call Mr. Commissioner.