Aside from things involving Tim Donaghy, does anyone here truly believe the NBA has rigged anything? Allegations include:

The 1985 lottery, where the Knicks ended up with the top pick, and thus Patrick Ewing. The controversy stemmed from the selection of a bent envelope from the drawing, as well as the possibility of the envelope being frozen.

Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals, in which the Lakers shot 27 free throws in the 4th quarter, defeating the Kings 106-102 to tie the series at three apiece.

Games 5 and 6 of the 2006 Finals, in which Dwyane Wade shot as many free throws as the Mavericks team in the first, and nearly duplicated it in the second, shooting 21 to the Mavs 23. The Heat shot a combined 86 free throws to the Mavs 48, with the first decided by one point, and the second and clinching game by three.

And most recently, the 2012 lottery, in which the top pick went to the league-controlled New Orleans Hornets, securing them Anthony Davis.

Are these from conspiracy nuts with nothing better to do? Fans being poor losers? Bad officiating being confused with rigging of games? Or is there something to the accusations?

What are your thoughts?

As much as I love professional sports, I do believe there is some manipulation involved.  I don't think it's full-out WWF style, but I do think some leagues favor certain situations and thus sometimes manipulates certain situations because of that.  (Example: the NFL loves the Pittsburgh Steelers, so I think they get the benefit of the doubt in big games)

and for the opposite of the steelers in the estimation of the nfl: the ************* tuck rule - I've been watching the nfl for like 40 years, it's been called once

but I actually think the only real fix I've seen in the nba was 'basketball reasons' in december (not to mention the fact that the nba had to take over the hornets in the first place, which is a different conversation all together)

I have always believed that the 1985 Lottery was fixed.

Then there is always boxing..

i believe 85 lottery was deffinetly riged but after that no. also in games definetly not although some superstar do get more calls.
ash if anything the steelers get more peniltys than any other team

Posted by steelers821 on 6/10/2012 11:04:00 PM (view original):
i believe 85 lottery was deffinetly riged but after that no. also in games definetly not although some superstar do get more calls.
ash if anything the steelers get more peniltys than any other team

You're obviously a Steelers fan, and they are a great organization, but you're kidding yourself if you think they don't get the benefit of the doubt in big games.

Posted by badja on 6/10/2012 9:33:00 PM (view original):
Then there is always boxing..

f-ing Bob Arum...

Posted by silentpadna on 6/11/2012 8:11:00 AM (view original):

Posted by steelers821 on 6/10/2012 11:04:00 PM (view original):
i believe 85 lottery was deffinetly riged but after that no. also in games definetly not although some superstar do get more calls.
ash if anything the steelers get more peniltys than any other team

You're obviously a Steelers fan, and they are a great organization, but you're kidding yourself if you think they don't get the benefit of the doubt in big games.

I agree with everything silent says here.

Posted by felonius on 6/11/2012 10:06:00 AM (view original):

Posted by badja on 6/10/2012 9:33:00 PM (view original):
Then there is always boxing..

f-ing Bob Arum...

+1

I think there's a difference between outright fixing something and setting up a system to increase the odds of certain things happening. That difference lies in things like descriptions and process, but not ethically.

There's a reason why the NBA promotes it's All-Star game 7 months in advance. And there's a reason why they host the weekend event shamelessly.