this is exactly the reason why i feel the nba getting into gambling is such a problem, it’s true that gambling on the nba happened before the nba decided to get involved, but i dont see how the nba can totally regulate match fixing.
How Former Ref Tim Donaghy Conspired to Fix NBA Games
51–60 of 93 posts
Re: How Former Ref Tim Donaghy Conspired to Fix NBA Games
#52The nba clearly wants the refs to be bent, it's a requirement. They actively encourage seeing it the home teams way, favouring the big stars and call it to keep it close as this is all good for marketing. The question is not whether the refs are bent it's merely who is paying them to be so. I doubt anyone thinks the nba refs honestly try to enforce the rules with an even hand. Do any adults think this? NBA is a mix o…
Well, the NBA can't be fixed on a systemic level, or Battista's use of Donaghy would have little game theoretical chance of success. Indeed, mathematically speaking, it's more likely that it was not fixed, or the success rate this pair were racking up would not have been feasible.
Re: How Former Ref Tim Donaghy Conspired to Fix NBA Games
#53fyi, i thought about creating a product to automate officiating of sports, but it’s quite complicated to get right, especially for extremely faced fast paced sports, like basketball, you basically need to take video of different angles and process that frame by frame. sportsvu was technology that is able to track things like whether the shooter is behind or on the three point line, but hasnt gotten to the point where it can monitor fouls and such.
Re: How Former Ref Tim Donaghy Conspired to Fix NBA Games
#54Earlier quoted context omitted.
> They actively encourage seeing it the home teams way I can't speak to the rest of your comment, but this might not be "actively encouraged" since it is universal in every sport. Every single study that I have seen on sports refs shows an inherent bias in favor of the home team. It is just human nature for your actions to be subconsciously swayed by how you know the 10,000+ people around you will react. This is one…
The Toronto Maple Leafs would like a word with you. I think there can also be a bias in favour of teams that are still in developing regions that the sport is still trying to conquer. When a team can sell out a stadium for decades despite their record, who cares if they win or lose?
Is it common that teams sell out a stadium with a bad record? I know there's the Cubs and some other "lovable losers", but I wasn't under the impression that it was exceptional. White sox ticket prices/sales seem responsive to their record.
Re: How Former Ref Tim Donaghy Conspired to Fix NBA Games
#55Wikipedia coverage, if ESPN's story is too much:
Re: How Former Ref Tim Donaghy Conspired to Fix NBA Games
#56If the calls are so subjective that one can't tell the difference between a ref accidentally being way off and on purpose being way off, then maybe your sport/rules are the problem when being way off is either excusable or indeterminable. (in the NBA and some other sports, you can basically call a foul every play)
I would propose doing away with refs entirely, like in Ultimate Frisbee. This would entail pretty radical changes to professional sports, but why not. At the highest level of play (and pay), contestants should be able to fiercely compete under principles of fairness and cooperation instead of establishing the current culture of flopping, doping and "off the field issues".
You can't do that when there are $billions on the table. What happens when someone cheats?
Re: How Former Ref Tim Donaghy Conspired to Fix NBA Games
#57Yet another reason not to gamble.
Re: How Former Ref Tim Donaghy Conspired to Fix NBA Games
#58If the calls are so subjective that one can't tell the difference between a ref accidentally being way off and on purpose being way off, then maybe your sport/rules are the problem when being way off is either excusable or indeterminable. (in the NBA and some other sports, you can basically call a foul every play)
Game 3 of the NBA Finals in 2008 was pretty darn obvious. Anyone who watched that game had to have known that the game was fixed. http://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3436401 “The Lakers attempted 40 free throws to the Kings' 25 in that game, and Los Angeles made 21 of 27 from the line while Sacramento converted 7 of 9 in the fourth quarter alone. In addition, a foul was called against Mike Bibby of the Kings after…
I would like to see a more objective scoring. Lopsided foul ratios are not solid evidence of bias by themselves. Teams play different styles and sometimes have bad defensive nights.
Nor is a single bad call evidence of bias, such as the nosebleed incident.
An example of a good evaluation would be several professional referees, not employed by the NBA, observe the videos of that game from different angles, and score the accuracy and fairness of each call and potential non-call, including which referee made the call and/or was closest.
I don't wish to accuse people of conspiracies without strong and detailed evidence. And, too many teams habitually blame the refs for bad results to deflect their own shortcomings as a team. I've heard "wolf" far too many times.
There is human error and thus randomness in referee calls. But as they say, luck favors the prepared. If you don't want bad calls deciding the game, then get good enough to have the margin of error in your favor.
Re: How Former Ref Tim Donaghy Conspired to Fix NBA Games
#59If the calls are so subjective that one can't tell the difference between a ref accidentally being way off and on purpose being way off, then maybe your sport/rules are the problem when being way off is either excusable or indeterminable. (in the NBA and some other sports, you can basically call a foul every play)
Game 3 of the NBA Finals in 2008 was pretty darn obvious. Anyone who watched that game had to have known that the game was fixed. http://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3436401 “The Lakers attempted 40 free throws to the Kings' 25 in that game, and Los Angeles made 21 of 27 from the line while Sacramento converted 7 of 9 in the fourth quarter alone. In addition, a foul was called against Mike Bibby of the Kings after…
2002*. But yeah, agree. 1993 and 2000 Western Conference Finals Game 7s as well.
Re: How Former Ref Tim Donaghy Conspired to Fix NBA Games
#60I'm guessing most games are won or lost by the ref than by the players. A disheartening thought.