NBA Special Props Betting – What About Tim Donaghy?

[Shame About Ray]

Now that the NBA Finals are over ( I TOLD you the Celtics had the better bench), some of the attention may shift not just to NBA Draft betting that is upcoming, but also to the recent allegations leveled by former league referee Tim Donaghy, who is scheduled to be sentenced in July for his role in the basketball betting scandal that rocked the NBA.



BetUS has posted some NBA odds relative to the Donaghy situation. Here I am going to post the more serious of those props:

BetUS NBA Special Props Odds

Odds on another NBA ref to come forward with allegations -- 9/5 (+180)
Odds that Donaghy is lying -- 7/2 (+350)

When I see it listed like that, I am assuming that it is a 3.5-to-1 shot that he is lying, which means that truth-telling is the props betting favorite.

Let me address that.

I don't want to go over all the allegations, and in fact, in a pre-sentencing letter Donaghy sent to District Court Judge Carol Bagley Amon, his attorney was rather nebulous about them. But you can bet he was specific with the FBI. Referring to certain NBA refs as "company men," he alluded to their unofficial policy of being flexible with calls in the interests of protecting certain teams and players, as well as manipulating results so that the NBA and its teams could experience more revenues from the live gate and television broadcasts.

One of the games Donaghy referred to was thinly veiled - the sixth game of the Western Conference final series in 2002 in which the Lakers got 27 free throws in the fourth quarter to come back and beat the Sacramento Kings, en route to eventually winning the title. Ralph Nader jumped on that right away, and since it was between presidential election cycles, one can assume it wasn't an attempt to get votes. Nader implored David Stern, the NBA commissioner, to investigate, which was not out of line at all, considered if something dirty was happening, that would amount to a consumer fraud.

If Donaghy is to be believed, Nader was right on the mark.

With regard to the set of accusations and insinuations presented by Donaghy, Stern himself took on the role of "company man."

"I'm saying to you that the allegations about that are incorrect, are not true," he said. "I don't want to even fudge words, OK? They're not true."

Depending on how Stern perceives his own duties as commissioner, he may feel it is his job to sweep this under the rug. That much certainly appears to be the case. But sweeping it under the rug is not the answer.

I know that Donaghy was referred to in the BetUS release as a "scumbag." That could very well be the case. He bet on games he was officiating. That strongly suggests he was doing something to fix those games. That fits the above description.

But does that mean we shouldn't believe him now?

I, for one, DO believe him.

But my personal feelings don't matter. What matters is that part of the NBA's legacy, which has lasted for years and which continues to this day, is that home teams win a high percentage of the time, and get more free throws than the visiting team; that the star players don't get the fouls called on them, that they are often allowed to make three or four steps to the hoop on a drive, that series have known to be extended as a result of questionable calls. That is the FAN'S perception of the game (something brought up by Michael Wilbon of ESPN during this Finals series), or at least the fans who are paying attention. And THAT is what should be a grave concern for David Stern.

So he shouldn't be sweeping it under the rug, but instead conducting the most vigorous internal investigation possible. I doubt Tim Donaghy is the sole offender, but someone who is conveniently being isolated because he has already been "caught."

And I've got news for you - the sports bettor and the sportsbooks (like BetUS) should be most concerned about all this, because the worst thing for either of those parties (unless you're in on it, I guess) is that there is not an honest and fair game being played out there. There is too much vulnerability when that is the case; too much of a chance for victimization.

So do I think Donaghy is lying? NO

Do I think another NBA referee will come forward with some kind of allegations or information? YES (+180). Somebody will get it out of one of them, if not David Stern, then the FBI.

Click Here - You can bet a number of different NBA Draft propositions at BetUS Sportsbook, which will be the home of NBA draft wagering through the big event on June 26.