A Real watchdog

Railbird · 06-05-2002, 08:29 PM

SAN FRANCISCO -- Ralph Nader wants the NBA to review Game 6 of the Western Conference finals, saying the nation's confidence has been shaken enough lately by business headlines.

The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings 106-102 in the game. But Nader, a consumer advocate and former Green Party presidential candidate, and the League of Fans, a sports-industry watchdog group, sent a letter to NBA Commissioner David Stern on Tuesday asking for a review, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Wednesday.

``At a time when the public's confidence is shaken by headlines reporting the breach of trust by corporate executives, it is important, during the public's relaxation time, for there to be maintained a sense of impartiality and professionalism in commercial sports performances,'' the letter said. ''That sense was severely broken ... during Game 6.''

The Lakers shot 27 free throws in the fourth quarter and scored 16 of their final 18 points at the foul line. The letter also addresses an incident where Lakers guard Kobe Bryant elbowed opponent Mike Bibby in the nose. A foul was not called with less than 20 seconds remaining in the game.

``Unless the NBA orders a review of this game's officiating, perceptions and suspicions, however presently absent any evidence, will abound,'' the letter said. ``A review that satisfies the fans' sense of fairness and deters future recurrences would be a salutary contribution to the public trust that the NBA badly needs.''

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is all for Ralph Nader's appeal to the commissioner's office.

auspice · 06-05-2002, 08:43 PM

Great find Railbird.

The reason that EVERY bonafide sports columnist and tv announcer doesn't shout from the rooftops over the nba officiating is one word.....ACCESSABILITY. If they say a word, accessability to all nba players and teams is denied.....permanently. This is their spanking stick. It's thus far been the most successful form of blackmail that any sport has devised. Really pathetic. I finally hope Ralph Nader is successful in one of his endeavors.

Sonny Palermo · 06-05-2002, 10:46 PM

I remember when Nader was watchin Belushi eat a hot dog, and started explainin the government allowances for rat hairs and excrement in it. Classic SNL.

Rail,
nice find, thanks for sharing it.
I didn't have the Kings, but I am neither blind, nor a fool. The part that seals it in my mind is the "Elbow Incident" - watch the tape - a ref is standing right there, looking at it, view unimpeded. No call. Nice. Reverse roles and LA would have been shootin 2.
And Bibby would have probably been ejected!

Auspice - the same "see no evil, speak no evil" prevails in many sports. I know in boxing for example, many writers kiss promoter-ass in their columns, talking about a "great fight", when we actually witnessed a bore fest.
I wrote one time that I was "glad I didn't have to pay to see that one", my editor warned me, I ignored him, and BOOM - row 4 seats become row 15......
But I'll pay for seats before I bow to anyone or write something I don't believe in.

Same with "jumpers" here in Vegas - local press acts as if they are deaf, dumb, and blind to it and it is not until you spend time and get to know people that you find out how many spouse-leavers and embezzlers come here, look to make it rich on their 'can't miss systems, blow the wads they planned to replace before asnyone noticed them missing, and, faced with the grim reality of their future - do a gainer off the roof rather than return home and face the music.
National coverage? Forget it. And the local TV news remain silent too.
Can't be doing anything to discourage the tourist/life blood from comin on vacations, ya know?

KidVegas · 06-06-2002, 01:25 AM

Railbird, good article to post here. The referees in that game were pathetic. As Ralph Nadar pointed out on the Dan Patrick radio show that the refs did not have to be bribed or told what the desired outcome their bosses wanted, a game 7.

ak47316 · 06-06-2002, 01:41 AM

im sorry, but who voted for that character!!
AK

Railbird · 06-06-2002, 03:18 AM

Maybe President Bush can have Mr Ashcroft do a full investigation of David Stern and have him removed.

Railbird · 04-25-2003, 06:06 AM

bump

Louis Cypher · 04-25-2003, 06:25 AM

Yeah Rail, the refs shot the madec 3 pointer by Horry also...give it a rest!

LC

DoggieStyle · 04-25-2003, 06:27 AM

The N.B.A. should just come out and say what is really
they really are doing.

It's entertanment...

But it's also called making sure the players and teams they
want to win will win the important games so the STUPID PUBLIC thinks
these Players of today are great.

Todays Players are big and slow and bad.

But the N.B.A. makes sure there's always a great team that everybody wants
to beat or that everyone loves (Bulls)

But it isn't real and they should just tell everyone.

JUSTICE was served just like in the ducks game...

THE RIGHT TEAM WON...!!!!!!!!!!