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**Peja Vu** · 06-12-2008, 08:35 PM

Former NBA ref alleges a 2002 fix in Kings-Lakers series

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In a letter filed Tuesday in federal court in Brooklyn, N.Y., that attempts to show his level of cooperation in hopes of receiving a lighter jail term, Donaghy alleges two of that game's three referees were "company men" who used "manipulation" to extend the series to a deciding seventh game. The team that lost Game 6 had two players "ejected," claims the letter from Donaghy attorney John F. Lauro, and later lost the series.

And while no Kings were ejected, Vlade Divac and Scot Pollard did foul out as Shaquille O'Neal attempted 17 free throws in a 106-102 loss in Los Angeles.

"Referees A, F, and G were officiating a playoff series between the Team 5 and Team 6 in May of 2002," the letter states, using place holders instead of names. "It was the sixth game of a seven-game series, and a Team 5 victory that night would have ended the series. However, Tim learned from Referee A that Referees A and F wanted to extend the series to seven games. Tim knew Referees A and F to be 'company men,' always acting in the interest of the NBA, and that night, it was in the NBA's best interest to add another game to the series."

The letter goes on to say the two referees heavily favored Team 6, ignoring blatant fouls committed by its players and calling "made-up" fouls against Team 5, giving Team 6 more free throw chances.

"The referees' favoring of Team 6 led to that team's victory that night and Team 6 came back from behind to win the series," the letter states.

The referees – a highly rated crew of veterans Dick Bavetta, Bob Delaney and Ted Bernhardt – called the Kings for 31 fouls in the game that sent the Lakers to the line for 40 attempts, including 27 in the decisive fourth quarter of the 106-102 L.A. win. Three of the Kings' fouls were intentional to stop the clock and get the ball back over the final 19.8 seconds. The Kings, by comparison, shot 25 free throws the entire game on 24 Lakers fouls.

Usually forgotten, at least outside of Los Angeles, is how the Lakers were just as adamant at being wronged by late calls in what became a 92-91 Kings victory in Game 5 that gave Sacramento a 3-2 series edge. The Lakers then won the hotly controversial Game 6 and followed with an overtime victory in Game 7 to win the conference title and advance to the NBA Finals.

**Peja Vu** · 06-12-2008, 08:38 PM

Ex-ref's charges re-ignite suspicion

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Man, this concept is one of the last things I'd like to be writing about. One, there are Kings fans who always have believed their team was cheated in Game 6 and still will shoot out an e-mail to express that view.

Some of them call, as did Dr. Leo Townsend, while I was writing this and asked, "Did you read that?"

I cut him off. I knew to what he was referring. He's a native of Los Angeles who grew up close to the Forum. But he's a Kings season-ticker holder now.

"I've been telling you that since it happened," Dr. Townsend said. "And you kept saying, 'No, no, no.'

"Well, now I feel some vindication."

The Lakers shot 27 free throws (that's 27) in the fourth quarter. Granted, the Kings went into foul mode at the end of the game, so that number was a bit inflated.

However, in the Staples Center, beat writers of teams are seated at one end of the court along the baseline. Being so seated, it wasn't my way to question the judgment of officials on calls that could 75 to 90 feet away.

Yet, while the fourth quarter was unfolding before us, two media bigwigs, Sports Illustrated's Jack McCallum and David Dupree, then with USA Today, leaned over and combined to say, "Your boys just got jerked on the last six calls."

The Kings played offense at the other end of the court during the second half of that game and defense right in front of us. Yes, the Lakers appeared to get the benefit of quite a few fouls, but that's not exactly unusual. They were the defending champions; they were the aggressors; and the Kings had a reputation for being soft.

One play that I could see occurred late in the game. Mike Bibby was whistled for a foul for holding (in my opinion) Kobe Bryant as the Lakers attempted to inbound the ball. Did he foul Bryant? Yes. Is that foul often called in that situation? No.

Also, did Bryant also elbow Bibby, and was he called for a flagrant foul? Yes, he did elbow Bibby, and no, he wasn't called for a flagrant foul.

The officials for that contest were Ted Bernhardt, Dick Bavetta and Bob Delaney.

Bavetta is a highly respected veteran official who once raced Charles Barkley to raise money for charity, then ended up kissing the Round Mound of Rebound.

Delaney is a former New Jersey state trooper who once was an undercover cop.

Now, the timing of all this Tuesday strikes my cynical spine. These allegations are leaked the day of Game 3 of the NBA Finals and two days after the Lakers were on the wrong side of a free-throw mismatch, getting 10 attempts to Boston's 38.

Now, of course, the NBA has said and will continue to say that Donaghy is trying to save his butt and shorten his sentence. That may be true, but exactly how these allegations will help in that matter, I don't know.

To me, the NBA's response to Donaghy's allegations imply he is lying, and in the name of Marion Jones, we all should know lying to a federal court earns one more time, not less.

Perhaps Donaghy has an axe to grind against the officials he is implicating as well as the league.

Perhaps he's telling the truth.

This I know, though: Had the Kings in Game 7 of that series not shot free throws at home as if they were scared to death, there would have been nothing the referees could have done.

I've never thought NBA officials were cheating. I've always thought they often have been bad.

**Peja Vu** · 06-12-2008, 08:40 PM

Conspiracy theories won't change painful outcome

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Here in Sacramento, it's not funny. Revelations that a disgraced NBA referee is alleging that other refs conspired to rob the Kings of a championship berth is like a nightmare come true.

People here never have gotten over 2002 and the Kings' epic Western Conference finals loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Sacramento felt ripped off then and now.

So when news exploded Tuesday that disgraced ref Tim Donaghy cited Game 6 of the Kings-Lakers series as proof of game fixing by other refs, it was worse than picking at an old scab.

It was taking a switchblade to an old scab.

The Kings got robbed in that fateful brawl at Staples Center, a wretched Friday night when Kings players drew whistles for breathing on Lakers players.

At one point, Lakers star Kobe Bryant planted his elbow on the face of former Kings sharpshooter Mike Bibby – and it was Bibby who got the foul. Maybe the refs called Bibby for bleeding on Bryant? Who knows? Who cares?

It's over, and nothing will change that the Lakers won that series and then the NBA title. Complaining about the 27 foul shots the Lakers took in the fourth quarter that night only cemented a reputation that the Kings were soft.

When Kings coach Rick Adelman raised his voice, a terrific coach was labeled a whiner. And Kings players were soon dubbed the Sacramento "Queens" by former Lakers supernova Shaquille O'Neal.

Again, it was funny everywhere but here.

In this place, the '02 conference finals are proof of something all of us know about life: That sometimes you get cheated, and that's it.

It's like the drug dealer who smashes your car window and steals your stuff in broad daylight. Or getting stabbed in the back by people you trusted.

You can scream about injustice, but all you'll get in return are people who judge you. The Kings were judged harshly in '02. Many made sport of the 14 free throws they missed in the failed Game 7 finale. Or they mocked how horrible refs appealed to the Kings' worst instincts, spawned a self-defeating negativity that undermined them.

That's why it's pointless to hope Donaghy's conspiracy theories are proved or to expect NBA Commissioner David Stern to do anything but filibuster. No one is going to pull that championship banner down from Staples Center and spirit it to Arco Arena.

Even if they did, Adelman is gone. Chris Webber's knee exploded, and he's done. Vlade Divac is retired. So is Doug Christie. And the rest of that exciting team – a better team than the Lakers – has scattered.

Stern can pretend all he wants that his ref problems are relegated to Donaghy, the busted gambler and point shaver. But the larger issue is that NBA fans believe NBA refs could be crooked because they are so bad – because they have affected too many outcomes since.

Fix that if you can, Mr. Stern. But you can't re-create a championship parade down J Street that never happened. You can't retrieve years the Kings wasted while vainly chasing that stolen title dream long after their window had slammed shut.

**Peja Vu** · 06-12-2008, 08:42 PM

Stern must act quickly, decisively in answering Donaghy's claims

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So this is why Stern needs to dispense with the sound bites and breeze-by appearances, and engage in a serious and very public conversation. He needs to establish a sense of order and raise the potential for transparency and do so quickly because Donaghy – prematurely labeled a "rogue" ref by Stern – already has impugned the character of his former officiating colleagues and snatched the headlines from the Celtics and Lakers. He also has left many within the league (and at these Finals) surprised by his detached demeanor and awaiting his typically bold, appropriate strokes of leadership.

Meantime, this is a mess.

"It's like a mold," a member of the Lakers' organization suggested after Wednesday's practice.

Stern has other pressing matters on his agenda, among them the arena mess in Seattle/Oklahoma City, political concerns pertaining to the Olympics in Beijing, small-market owners grumbling about an ailing business model and pleading for revenue-sharing relief and, closer to home, another attempt to preserve a franchise and build a facility at Cal Expo.

(It should be noted that his personal involvement in Sacramento's arena plans speak to his appreciation for a region and an organization that he has labeled a "model".)

But this is a state of emergency, the damaging Donaghy incident trumping all others. The highly regarded commissioner should take a closer look at those Game 6 videos, perhaps establish an impartial panel of ex-coaches to critique it possession by possession. And as Phil Jackson suggested late Tuesday night, it might not be a bad idea to enlist the services of an autonomous governing body to supervise league officials.

"I think these guys (referees) have an impossible job," offered Jackson, who was victimized by one famously brutal last-second call while coaching the Chicago Bulls. "Judgment calls on many, many situations in the course of a game … I think that influence, opinion, all the things go into making us human lemmings, which we are. …

"There are even teams posting basic Web sites that kind of critique the referees from game to game. I think that has put a lot of pressure on the quality of the job that's getting done."

Still awaiting word from Stern.

**Peja Vu** · 06-12-2008, 08:43 PM

Divac's suspicions continue

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Ex-NBA referee Tim Donaghy's claims Tuesday that something shady occurred in Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference finals between the Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers was not news to Vlade Divac.

Divac, who played two stints with the Lakers and now is a European scout for them, was the Kings' starting center in 2002 when Sacramento lost that controversial Game 6 in Los Angeles.

Divac said by phone Wednesday from Madrid, Spain, he still hopes Donaghy's accusations are untrue.

"I knew something was wrong then, and I still know something was wrong," said Divac, who fouled out of Game 6, as did fellow Kings center Scot Pollard.

"My first reaction to hearing this is that I hope it's not true. There was definitely something going on, but in my imagination, I never could have taken it so far to think that the league was behind it."

Divac was Real Madrid's general manager in the Euroleague a year ago, but he left that post to work with Humanitarian Organization Divac, which provides assistance and housing for refugees worldwide.

"Once I decided to help the refugees, I realized that helping them was going to require more time," Divac said. "And I want to do as much as I can."

Divac said Wednesday the group placed 10 Serbian families – some of whom have been in refugee camps for 15 years – in rebuilt homes.

Divac's sense of humor is legendary. However, he floated one half-serious thought about that infamous game.

"We should play Game 6 again and raise money for the refugees," Divac said. "We could put a lot of families in homes."

**Peja Vu** · 06-12-2008, 08:44 PM

Keep conspiracy thoughts quiet

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Over the years, several Kings from the 2001-02 season have voiced off-the-record thoughts about how they believed they'd been had in Game 6. Some said as much as soon as the game ended.

However, if you have current ties to the NBA, you likely don't want your name linked to such comments.

That's why one player on that squad said: "What? I've been telling you that ever since it happened. That game was called with one thing in mind – the Lakers winning. But I can't say that publicly. …

"But they got us, didn't they?" said the player, who wouldn't go on the record for fear of repercussions from the NBA. "Just like I told you they did when it happened."

**Peja Vu** · 06-12-2008, 08:46 PM

'I knew it!' say Kings fans

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It didn't take long for Kings fans to proclaim "I knew it!" online and over the radio airwaves. Bob Clouse, a 23-year Kings season ticket holder, said he can't help but believe Donaghy. And that causes the 66-year-old Fair Oaks resident much internal conflict.

"I have to do some soul searching," Clouse said. "If I truly believe all this, then I may not renew my season tickets. Will it affect the overall arena (deal)? I think so. I think he opened a can of worms."

Donaghy did so in court documents filed Tuesday alleging that two referees manipulated the outcome of a 2002 playoff series with favorable calls to one team during Game 6, resulting in a Game 7 – meaning another game's worth of ticket sales and television ad revenue, as well as added attention, for the league.

The Kings-Lakers Western Conference finals was the only seven-game series that season. The letter states that two officials, whom he calls "company men," acted in "the interest of the NBA, and that night, it was in the NBA's interest to add another game to the series."

Donaghy is awaiting sentencing, having pleaded guilty last year to federal felony conspiracy charges after admitting to gambling on games. Donaghy's lawyer filed a second letter Tuesday that said the NBA is seeking $1 million in restitution from Donaghy.

"The accusation is attractive to Kings fans because the loss hurt so much," said William Portanova, a Sacramento attorney who has represented current and former Kings players such as Ron Artest and Justin Williams. "It would be nice to think we should have won; however, the reality is people in serious trouble lie in order to get more lenient treatment."

Portanova said that Donaghy's accusation amounts to "gossip," and that the timing of the allegations immediately sparked his skepticism.

"The Lakers are in the middle of the Finals, so it's time for maximum impact and a cheap shot at the NBA," Portanova said. "The timing of this accusation stinks."

But that's not to say it didn't rekindle raw emotions for Portanova, a Kings fan. "That game broke my heart," he said. "I'm still upset, and it awakened a lot of angry feelings in me."

But was it fixed?

"After 30 years in court, my opinion today is vast conspiracy theories of this type are fantasies," he said, basing that opinion on the number of people who would have to be involved and the potential for a whistle-blower to reap financial benefits.

**Peja Vu** · 06-12-2008, 08:48 PM

Maloofs don't believe Donaghy

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"We have received numerous e-mails and phone calls from fans who are very upset by recent news reports regarding Game 6 of the 2002 Kings-Lakers playoff series. We believe we have the best fans in the NBA and are so grateful for their continued passion and support.

We certainly didn't like all the calls in that Game 6 and were extremely disappointed with the outcome. However, we have been associated with the NBA for many years and feel in no way that the League was conspiring for the Kings to lose.

That 2002 Kings team was a memorable collection of players that won 61 games and captured the hearts and minds of fans throughout the world with their entertaining, innovative and successful style of team play. Looking ahead, we remain focused on bringing another championship-caliber team to Sacramento."

**Peja Vu** · 06-13-2008, 11:20 PM

Doug Christie convinced of Game 6 foul play in Lakers-Kings series

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"I would definitely say that there was something going on beyond a poorly officiated game," Christie told Sporting News in a phone interview Friday afternoon. "Look at the statistics. This week, everyone made a big deal out of the Lakers shooting 10 free throws to the Celtics 38 (in Game 2). But in this game, you're talking about a team shooting 27 free throws in the closing quarter of a decisive game that would put out the defending champs."

Christie is not sure if the NBA told referees to make sure the Lakers won or if any of the officials worked on their own to affect the outcome. "I don't remember a particular call or a particular ref," he said. "When you're out there, you're trying to gather your strength and do whatever you can to win."

Game 6 became news this week when former ref Tim Donaghy, who has admitted to working with gamblers, accused the officials who worked that game of rigging the outcome. Two of the refs, Bob Delaney and Ted Bernhardt, have said in radio interviews that they stand by their calls. The third, Dick Bavetta, whose name has surfaced in FBI questioning of Donaghy, has not commented. Bavetta worked Game 1 of The Finals last week and at a press conference on Thursday, commissioner David Stern said he has no concerns about Bavetta.

"How can you fix a game?" Christie asked. "I don't even know if it's possible, but one way would be to slow the clock down and get free shots."

Stern admitted Thursday that the Kings-Lakers game "was not one of the best refereed games" but Donaghy's allegations "are not true."

The Lakers won the seventh game and went on to claim the championship, and Christie knows nothing can -- or should -- be done to change that. "I don't want to take away anything from the Lakers," he said. "But I think it's on the league to figure out what's going on. Let it be known what happened and move forward from there."

Christie, 37, last played in the NBA on Valentine's Day in 2007. He said he is working on a record label and "always trying to enjoy life." When he first heard about Donaghy's accusations, he said, "It so disheartening that it made me almost physically ill. It was an angry feeling (in 2002), and this validates that feeling in Sacramento."

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