Of crooked refs and cool blues

Dreary rainy day here in this garden spot, kind of like the mood around the league office, I’d presume.

Because …

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Tim Donaghy’s back in the news.

Here’s the story that’s got everyone buzzing; what deadspin says are excerpt from a book that the publisher won’t publish because its legal department had enough qualms about some of the allegations it wasn’t worth putting out a book that probably would have made millions.

The details are quite titillating, but really nothing much more than what conspiracy theorists – some of whom cash cheques from NBA teams – have been thinking for years.

The league’s going to let former federal prosecutor Lawrence Pedowitz, who did an independent investigation when Donaghy was first arrested and sentenced, look at the charges; the FBI and American federal officials say they are aware of the story but nothing else.

What do I think?

I think Donaghy is a scum felon trying to make a buck off his story; I would be more impressed had he made these specific allegations while under oath – and subject to perjury laws – during the first phase of this sordid story because that would have lent them a level of gravitas they don’t now have being in a book that a renowned publishing house won’t publish because it doesn’t seem to believe what’s written.

Are all refs crooked?

No. Not at all.

Do they make bad calls?

Absolutely.

Is the perception there that they favour star players? Without question. And has been for decades and decades.

Do refs have issues with players they see a handful of times a year?

I’m sure they do. But I don’t think they go out of their way to screw them over.

And to me, the thought that David Stern is some magician behind the curtain, pulling strings in New York to get the desired result of games, is preposterous.

Do you think he’s stupid enough to risk a multi-billion dollar business for the sake of making a few more million? If you do, then nothing anyone says will sway you.

There’ve been too many San Antonio-Detroit and Houston-New York finals, too many playoff sweeps, to make me think even the outcome of series are pre-determined. Heck, the guy couldn't even get Kobe-LeBron last June.

Look, Tim Donaghy had his chance to make these allegations when authorities could get at him and he didn’t. The FBI, which doesn’t mess around and sweep things under the rug, had him and talked to him and decided not to charge another soul.

I’m sure, if they could have, the publishers would have verified the details and had a best-seller on their hands. It couldn’t. It didn’t.

It’s juicy gossip brought to you by a convicted felon.

Of course, there will be vehement disagreement with this stance, I’m sure. The conspiracy theorists have been around for years and years and will be for years and years to come. It’s part of the dynamic of the game, I guess, and something we have to live with.

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B.B. King’s for B.B. King wheat lager and some excellent catfish with the blues playing and the TV on the ball game is a pretty neat way to spend a night, by the way.

Sometime, this job can be pretty good; tomorrow, with the 3:30 a.m. wakeup call to catch a flight to Chicago and then home to cover two practices might diffuse some of that enthusiasm.

But, yeah, it can be pretty good.

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Here’s one thing to watch when you see Marco Belinelli play.

His head.

Specifically, his head when he takes catch-and-shoot jump shots, or any jump shot, for that matter.

I’m told the one thing the coaching staff is working on more than anything else with Belinelli is keeping him from tilting his head back when he shoots.

When he does, it takes all the arc off what becomes his line-drive jump shot and if he makes it, it’s usually blind luck.

The coaches tell me it’s not horrible that he seems to shoot a fadeaway as a matter of course but only if his head stays at least level.

After each of the last couple practices I’ve been to, Belinelli’s been on of the last guys on the floor, getting up extra jumpers and working on that head thing.

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Hmm, I’m two doors down from the Elvis Presley suite here in my hotel.

Wonder if he’s there?

Haven’t seen a room service tray with the remnants of peanut butter and banana sandwiches but you never know.

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Speaking of Memphis, here’s what they’re reading in the local paper today.

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So, they did Belinelli’s contract, which was a no-brainer, but there’s no official word yet on whether they’ll take the next step up the ladder with guard Quincy Douby.

It’s a big week for the good kid, if he’s still on the roster on Sunday, his partially-guaranteed deal becomes more fully guaranteed (I think it’s something in the neighbourhood of a guaranteed $200,000 but don’t quote me on that).

Not a lot of money in the grand scheme of things, no; but I bet it seems like, well, like something in the range of $200,000 to a young kid who can probably use it.

As a basketball decision, keeping him really won’t make a huge difference right now; it’s not like they’d go out and be able to sign someone with that money who’d come in and even remotely challenge for a spot in the rotation.

No, what they do with Quincy will be all about money and the possibility to do something much later on should they feel there’s a need to.

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Wow, big weekend for those with long Raptors memories.

Hope to run into Damon Stoudamire today, he’s an assistant coach with the Grizzlies; and then Brendan Malone hits Toronto with Orlando.

Wonder if they’ll have any great 15th anniversary tales to tell?’

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Don’t forget, a new episode of GruntTV should hit the air sometime around noon and we’ll be here to chat about the game and stuff at 4 p.m. your time, too.

Of course, seeing how the wind and rain that’s pelting the area now have already knocked out the cable and internet in my room once this morning, there may be some changes to that schedule.

Stay tuned.

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Comments

[AK]

Is your macbook keyboard not working?

Blogger's note: Somehow, the second-to-last version I typed got posted; not the final one. Odd

[Peter]

Hey Doug,

I LOVE the blog, but if Jose Calderon goes 1 for 3 from the foul line, you would mention it. With that in mind, you kind of went 1 for 3 on the spellcheck today. But don't worry, you're a league leader in my mind!

Blogger's note: Yeah. For some reason a version that wasn't the final one got posted; not entirely sure how that happened.

[Paul]

thanks smitty! (and I say that with all the familiarity of someone who reads your blog regularly). Great work on this... I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of the Grunt TV thing, I think your written work is infinitely better - you have a true gift for conversational writing, but not so much in front of the camera... just one man's honest opinion, not to take anything away from your accomplishments with the blog.

Also, there are already a hundred talking heads on television... but there's only one Doug Smith's Raptor Blog!

Oh, and looking ahead to Orlando, do you think Patrick O'bryant will get any time against Dwight? Or put another way, who is going to guard Howard?

Blogger's note: Bargnani, Bosh and Rasho would, I presume, all get time on Howard. As they have in the past

[fritz]

Hi Doug,
Donaghy may be a scum felon trying to make a buck and the stories may not be provable in court but it doesn't make them false. I wonder how many of these tales you've heard, and had a good laugh over, while enjoying a post game beverage with friends.
Refs, in any sport, with no personal bias at all would be countable on the fingers of one hand.
I think this just another entertaining tell all book by an disgraced insider trying to get even with those with whom he used to work.

[Niru]

Hey Doug,

Obviously its hard to tell since its so early in the season, but was the Cavs offensive woes a product of the Raptors Defence or a product of the Cavs being so stagnant on offense?

Blogger's note: Both

[Jojo]

Unfortunately, David Stern does as much to fuel conspiracy theories as anyone. Transparency is the best cure for conspiracy theories, and as far as I can tell the NBA has little to zero as far as their officiating goes. Phil Jackson has complained about this, as have many others. I'm sympathetic to NBA refs. They have the hardest job compared to refs in any other sport, but they also influence the game more than any other sport. And what do fans know about how the refs are evaluated? How do refs get assigned to playoff games? Is it random? Do we know if their pay is associated with performance measurement? Is it really necessary to fine players and coaches for criticizing the refs, even if it's relatively mild?

Take one example from the Donaghy accusations that was the most interesting tidbit to me (I agree he's a scumbag who is out to make a buck but that doesn't mean everything he is saying is bull). He says the league will provide videos to refs highlighting plays that either aren't being called fouls enough or perhaps too much (something along those lines anyway). Is this true? Obviously nobody in the league is telling refs that they want a particular outcome. Even Donaghy doesn't say that in the book excerpt. But is it possible that the league tends to focus disproportionately on the way superstars are getting calls? What happens if refs don't follow the advice coming down to them?

Again, the problem is most fans know next to nothing about a component of the game that has a huge influence on how it plays out.

Blogger's note: It's been written more than a few time that referees are graded by a member of the supervisory staff after every game they work; the top-graded refs of the season get playoff gigs on merit, not on seniority or anything else.
I've seen the "points of emphasis" videos a few times, they use players of all skill levels to illustrate situations

[Fuzzy Dunlop]

Doug, I'm a big fan, but you are burying your head in the sand about the ref problem in the NBA. In what other sport do the refs fight the players for the spotlight the way NBA stripes do? Dick Bavetta is at the forefront of this referee celebrity, but I guess he's charmed his way through the media circles as well. Phantom calls, non-calls and star treatment are enough to drive a fan crazy, but when these guys try to take a starring role in games, I often turn off.

I am not a conspiracy theorist, but I certainly believe things are far to personal between players/coaches and referees. The major problem here is "working the refs". Players and coaches talk far too often to the refs, making it personal, whether to their advantage or disadvantage. I'm sick and tired of hearing that a coach is really working the refs early to get a call later. Let the players decide the outcome, already.

[Joel]

Hey Doug,

Nice, level-headed response to the Tim Donaghy drama. However, I personally wouldn't be suprised if a fair amount of that was, at the very least, partially accurate.

I would like to mention how I really enjoy your blog/articles. You keep it real and don't get sucked into the drama that so many sports writers (and readers) do. I think that speaks to your professionalism in an increasingly unprofessional world.

Kudos to you

[chris]

Fully agree that he's conveniently throwing mud but i'm curious Doug - do you think the refs favour star players? And i don't mean subconsciously....do you not think refs intentionally give lebron/kobe/MJ/bosh calls that other players simply don't?

Also, you have to believe there are make-up calls. Seems like it happens at least once a game.

Blogger's note: No, I don't, not intentionally. I think those guys are always so central to the play and have the ball so much, they are always going to be involved in close, and tough, calls

[C-Mac]

Doug, good luck on Chicago, the armpit of airport travel..

Any projections on a Reggie return?

Blogger's note: Nope, not even ready to practice yet

[Andre]

So many grammer/spelling nerds read your blog... holy... humans make mistakes... Anyways, I believe there is some sort of conspiracy, because since 1980, Teams making the finals (at least 1 of those teams) was a big market team. There have been one or two that werent, but its really true. Maybe you can argue this doug. As for Douby, i saw they let him walk, because Marcus banks is fully ready to take that 3-4 PG spot if needed. Save that spot for someone else, maybe a young guy, or a vet.

[Les]

"Of course, seeing how the wind and rain that’s pelting the area now have already knocked out the cable and internet in my room once this morning, there may be some changes to that schedule. "

Heh. Welcome to Memphis!

[James]

Doug, it seems like the same old from you. To completely dismiss what he is saying would be ridiculous.It seems like when in doubt you either 1)take the cautious route and side with the NBA and stern or 2)refuse to give any predicitions whatsoever with regards to outcomes,players roles, etc. isnt that part of your job? other than that you do a fine job of reporting.

Blogger's note: No, that's not part of my job at all, my job is to inform and entertain in a responsible manner. You say cautious, I say balanced; it's the kind of difference that makes the world go 'round.

[yertu damkule]

re. donaghy; i don't doubt for a minute that there are fabrications & embellishments, that he's a scum-of-the-earth type trying to make what would amount to the last serious coin in his life. but i'm thinking back to the initial reaction to canseco's book, and how the 'revelations' in it were similarly pooh-poohed as the rantings of a celebrity wannabe attention-hound. even if only 50% (or 25%, or 10%) of what donaghy claims is true, then there is reason to be skeptical of the institution. i mean, is it really fathomable that he acted entirely on his own? doesn't it stand to reason that the likelihood is that there are other refs (or former refs) with whom he consorted in these schemes? it may be circumstantial, but it's also common sensical...

[WSG]

Very good column this morning, Doug. You bring (your usual) level-headed perspective to the Donaghy–Ref thing, and while I certainly agree that Donaghy is worse than pond-scum, it would be very difficult to convince me that there isn’t collusion to SOME degree among the NBA referees. I’m not a conspiracy theorist either – ok, that’s a lie, I actually might be a little bit – but we saw with our own eyes on opening night, bogus calls that could easily have affected the outcome of the game to the benefit of a marquee team (or at least, a marquee player). Bargnani’s very questionable (two) fouls aside, the ref calling Bosh on that blocking charge – when we all plainly saw even before the replay that his feet were planted like, a week before LeBron got there – was an obvious and perfect example of what Mr. Pond-Scum Donaghy claims to be true. I only hope that shining this uncomfortably (for the NBA) bright light on this nastiest of situations straightens out those who need to be straightened. And kudos to the crowd that night, for hammering it home with that lovely chant. Go Raps!

[Steph]

Doug, where there is smoke, theres fire. And there has been smoke for years now. Wether valid or not, Stern has not done an adequate job of dispensing with the persistent rumors/accusations. Crawford was suspended for his actions against Duncan, but there have been so many more incidents where a ref forgets the oath that he declared and targets a player and thus a team unfairly. Salvatore and Iverson come quickly to mind.

Who is telling the truth at this point is not the issue, how Stern has handled it all is.

[Alex]

Dougie, enjoy the blues music. Any word if Iverson is playing tonight?

[Alex]

Wow never mind I just read the linked article.

[Jacob]

Well, I don't take anything away from the Donaghy excerpts except (what a difference a "p" makes) that stars do get calls, which is hardly groundbreaking and I agree it's unlikely Stern is the wizard behind the curtain enforcing such a policy. However, the league does nothing to change it, and it's aggravating. IMO it's also a major stumbling block for turning the casual fan into the dedicated fan. That's purely based on anecdotal evidence for my circle of friends, but I believe it to be true and I wish we could get to a point where a foul was a foul was a foul, although not enough to wish we'd had the replacements stick around where a foul would be a foul and a bunch of other things would be fouls as well.

As for Douby, the only good reason to drop him is if they think they'll be going 1-2 for 2-3 in a future trade and with the current make-up of the roster I think they're far more likely to go the other way (unless they need some min's thrown in to make the cap figures work). I won't be shocked either way they go with him, but I'm inclined to think they'll keep him. If nothing else it tells the current group, in however small a fashion, that management is happy with the horses they have and it's on them to get the job done.

And thanks as always Doug.

[Jacob]

What a difference an "r" makes is what I meant. lol

Saw that as soon as I hit post.

[Jerry]

The one accusation that is hard to dismiss out of hand is the special treatment of star players. It seems to me that just about every play by play anouncer that I have ever heard believes that one.

[MattC]

Being basketball official myself for 10 years, I can say that 99.9% of officials I have reffed with don't care who wins a game. We all officiate for a variety of reasons - mostly because we love the game and want to see it progress. I do not know anyone who refs at the high school level (I do not officiate any college games) who has ever bet on a game, attempted to influence or affect an outcome for personal gain. Why would we? Engaging in that behaviour would be disasterous. Yes, the opportunity is there; it is everywhere. I would be amiss to state otherwise.

I have seen refs make phantom calls, blown calls and great calls. I have done so myself. We are human, and basketball is subjective, so of course it's going to happen. In my opinion, there were a couple fouls in Wednesday's Raptors game that were VERY suspect, and completely in line with what Donaghy has stated. I think when you see a team go to the stripe several more times than another team (I'm talking inordinate amounts..like 47-10) there is definatly something fishy going on. NBA players have far too much skill for that to happen.

Alot of what Tim said can't be proven, and won't be. Why would a ref give up a $300k+ year job by giving self incriminating evidnce? That said, I would love to read the book, and will read it when it's published.

I have always said, and will continue to say as long as the NBA gives favourable treatment to stars; "If you want to watch basketball, watch the NCAA. If you want to watch a show, watch the NBA." I do love the show though :)

[Jerry]

Is one of the things that makes the NBA ref's job harder the fact that many think that they should 'let the players play' by not making some calls that are fouls? So on top of making some tough calls they are to use judgement on when to actually make some calls. Seems to me this is putting too much power in their hands. If it should not be a foul then change the rules.

[Matt M]

I agree that the NBA probably doesn't have a hidden agenda when it comes to reffing game to outcome. I've seen a few games where the one team appeared to be getting preferential treatment (usually because of a star) and still lost. I usually chalk up games where there are huge differences in the number of free throws between teams to one team being willing to drive to the hoop and drawing contact and the other being a jump shooting team where there is little contact. The famous Kings-Lakers or Mavericks-Heat series being perfect examples.

I don't like stars getting preferential treatment though. I think it takes away from the game. Does a player like Lebron need help from the officials? The way he plays, and the way the Cavs run their offense, has been conditioned to go for the call, especially late in games. James ends up at the top of the circle, the remaining Cavs clear out, and James puts his head down and barrels towards the hoop. The result is usually getting to the line in situations where many players would get called for charging. The blown call against Bosh in the season opener is the obvious example. James often gets fouled in these situations, after all the man is 6'8", 250lbs and handles the ball like a point guard, but it wouldn't hurt the image of the league if he got called or ignored when he initiates contact outside any restricted area.

Dwayne Wade does it too. I remember watching a Bulls/Heat game last year where Wade and Ben Gordon played almost identical games early in the contest, both attacking the net. Both players drew an roughly equal amount of contact on their way to the net. The difference in the game ended up being that Wade got to the line 20 times and Gordon had to resort to becoming a jump shooter to avoid more charging calls and because he wasn't getting to the line.

The NBA (and all other sports) should clean up their image a bit. The best way to do it is to get rid of obvious biases towards star players.

[Sean]

According to Dan Wetzel over at Yahoo, many of the NBA's own players, coaches and front office executives are predisposed to believe Donaghy. So, my question is, if the NBA's members believe it, why doesn't some journalist do some research? That is what journalists do when they aren't blogging, don't they? I know it's a lot easier to dismiss one single person as a crackpot, but couldn't you humour us this one time and check out some aspect of this story? Talk to Iverson and get his take on it? Do a tiny little statistical analysis on the AI games where Javey reffed versus the ones Crawford reffed?

One thing I'm 100% sure about. There is dishnosty in every industry at every level, and when journalists dismiss whistleblowers as scum, I start to question just how deep it goes.

Blogger's note: Thanks for the professional advice; you don't think I've ever asked any coach or player about such stuff? I have. I read Dan's piece, it was very good