The NBA has long rid itself of Tim Donaghy, but the former referee continues to be an annoyance to the league. In his latest attempt at exposing corruption within the league, Donaghy went on the Forgotten Mavericks Podcast, and straight up accused the NBA of pulling the strings behind the scenes of the 2006 NBA Finals in which the Dallas Mavericks lost to the Miami Heat in six games.
“I think basically Dallas basically got screwed out of a championship in that situation because the NBA started to manipulate the series to make sure it was extended and Dallas could never recover from it.”
Dallas had a 2-0 lead heading into Game 3 of that series, but the Heat pulled off one of the most exhilarating comebacks in NBA history, winning all of the next four contests to bring home the franchise’s first-ever NBA title. If Donaghy’s allegations were true, Dirk Nowitzki could’ve at least two NBA titles today and Alonzo Mourning and Gary Payton might have left the game without rings adorning their fingers.
Donaghy refereed in the NBA from 1994 to 2007 but was best known for being sent to prison for 15 months after pleading guilty to gambling charges. Apparently, Donaghy took a page out of Pete Rose’s book by laying money on games he’s actually involved in.
Speaking of book Donaghy published one, titled “Personal Foul: A First-Person Account of the Scandal that Rocked the NBA”, which details his involvement in the betting scandal in the league.
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