Deflated and Vindicated

6 years of wondering and assumptions were put to rest today. Today, an old wound was opened, but it was news that brings some closure. In 2002, my Sacramento Kings were in the Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Kings were the best team in the league and close to knocking off the defending champs, their rivals. Up 3 games to 2, the Kings had a chance to close out the Lakers. Game 6 ended up being, what most basketball observers consider, the worst officiated game in NBA history. The disparity of fouls called on the Kings was suspicious, especially in the 4th quarter when the Lakers shot 27 free throws and the Kings shot 9. The highlight of the fouls - Kobe Bryant elbowing Mike Bibby in the nose and Bibby getting called for the foul. Phantom fouls were called on the Kings left and right. At the end of the game, a narrow win for the Lakers, columnists across the country, not just here in Sacramento, declared that some kind of fix had to be in. Ralph Nader even tried to get an investigation going to no avail. In the end, the Lakers ended up winning the series in 7 games and went on to the finals where they easily won 4-0. For years, Sacramento Kings fans have wondered about this particular game, where a win was stolen from them.

Today, we learned the "truth." I put in quotations because it was a sworn statement from a convicted felon. Tim Donaghy was a ref for many years in the NBA, but last summer, it was discovered he had ties to the mob and would make bets on the games he was officiating. He admitted to it and convicted. Today, in federal court, he truned over papers where he admitted that the fix was in on that game. He did not officiate the game, but he named 2 referees who were in on the fix and were told by the league to make sure the Lakers won and make sure the series was extended to 7 games. He actually didn't come out and say names, but he said it was a 7 games series and that was the only one that year. Everyone knows what series he is tallking about. On tv right now, reporters are talking about it with the assumption that that is the series he is talking about. Even a Los Angeles reporter is saying, "I knew it." Now, Donaghy could be lying about this. However, he really doesn't gain from anything. I fully believe he is telling the truth. It opens an old wound as we Kings fan know that was our year. But, the sense of relief of having a suspicion confirmed after all this year feels good. Weird to feel so good and angry at the same time.