NBA games have been manipulated since David Stern became commissioner in 1984. Even a casual observer of the league knows that Stern and his henchmen rig the big games to achieve the maximum TV exposure. For Stern, it's strictly an entertainment business, not a competitive one. And Stern designates which team will be the Globetrotters and which the Washington Generals.
Donaghy isn't just a crooked ref, he's the NBA's Jose Canseco. Listen attentively to what he has to say. He's revealing that the man behind the curtain is just a wizened old New York lawyer, not a wizard.

The NBA is the new WWF of sports entertainment. I totally agree it's always been about the big markets and TV ratings. I also think the lottery is rigged also. Which is why I haven't watched the NBA in the last 10 years.

The NBA could put much of this to rest by simply being more transparent about how they deal with issues. The Dallas/Miami series was ridiculous. Breathing on Dwayne Wade was a foul. Crazy. I was rooting for them and still thought that the calls were too biased towards Miami.

The challenge is that too much of the NBA's dealings have been accepted as normal. I hate when they show a replay of a great play, but the player traveled or pushed off. They will show it 3 times without mentioning the infraction. The Paul Pierce 4 point play in game 2 is a great example. He took 4 steps to make that jumpshot. He traveled well before he was fouled. But entertainment said let's go with the 4 point play, not the traveling.

I also hate the idea that there are calls that stars get and regular players do not. A foul is a foul or at least they should try their best to get it right regardless of who the player is. Riley's Knicks challenged the refs to call fouls on every play. The refs did not and now, it is much more difficult to tell what is and is not a foul from game to game and quarter to quarter.

I could go on and on. I am pretty close to turning in my NBA fanatic card.

So, who is it going to be, the Sonics or Seattle? In my mind both of them have been losers. Fortunately, the team can rebound, but I don’t think this ownership group or the NBA can.

Previously I have written about the city and community not putting up any money to support the building of the next sports arena – complex. In my mind, enough money has been spent on these projects with the Mariners and the Seahawks. However, in Denver and other city’s there has been a nice blend of private sponsorship in building a state of the art arena. My hope remains that the City can find an interested buyer – Steve Ballmer for one – to help save the day. Just as Paul Allen did for the Seahawks.

However, in my mind, the days of basketball in Seattle may be over. Should we be sad as it has come to light that the NBA has crooked referees watching over their games – in the NBA playoffs no less. Former NBA ref. Tim Donahey has alluded to the games being fixed – and he even pointed to specific games. In working out a plea deal with the FBI he has submitted information that referees altered their foul calling in NBA playoff games in 2002 and 2005.

Also, it seems to me the NBA has a lot to lose if Seattle loses the Sonics. They have already lost face in supporting Clay Bennett the wealthy Oklahoman who wants to pick up the team – break the lease that his team has entered into – and run to Oklahoma City. We will see what Marsha J. Pechman, Federal Judge in the Western District of WA has to say in two weeks in the trial between the city and the team.

So in my mind, by supporting the team ownership – hey that’s who pays David Stern’s salary – the NBA has two strikes against it in this town. First showing that it is a corrupt organization and secondly for supporting the OK ownership group.

Howard Schultz lawsuit may be the best thing for the city of Seattle to save NBA basketball – but he doesn’t have much time.