'I knew it!' say Kings fans

'I knew it!' say Kings fans
But skeptics question timing of claims by former NBA referee.
By Melody Gutierrez - mgutierrez at sacbee.com

Last Updated 12:25 am PDT Thursday, June 12, 2008
Story appeared in MAIN NEWS section, Page A1

http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/1007831.html

While many Kings fans had their conspiracy theories validated by the
assertions of a disgraced former NBA referee, skeptics expressed
concern Wednesday over the timing of Tim Donaghy's accusations.

Clearly, local defense lawyers said, the claims coming in the middle
of the NBA Finals was meant to catch the attention of fans and the
media. And, despite the source, a public relations executive said the
allegations of referee misconduct during the infamous 2002 playoff
series between the Kings and Los Angeles Lakers could be far reaching
– even affecting Sacramento's push for a new arena.

"This has the potential to spiral out of control," said Doug Elmets,
president of Elmets Communications, who served as spokesman for the
failed tax measure in 2006 to build a new arena for the Kings. "And
clearly, Sacramento is in the center of this storm."

It didn't take long for Kings fans to proclaim "I knew it!" online and
over the radio airwaves. Bob Clouse, a 23-year Kings season ticket
holder, said he can't help but believe Donaghy. And that causes the 66-
year-old Fair Oaks resident much internal conflict.

"I have to do some soul searching," Clouse said. "If I truly believe
all this, then I may not renew my season tickets. Will it affect the
overall arena (deal)? I think so. I think he opened a can of worms."

Donaghy did so in court documents filed Tuesday alleging that two
referees manipulated the outcome of a 2002 playoff series with
favorable calls to one team during Game 6, resulting in a Game 7 –
meaning another game's worth of ticket sales and television ad
revenue, as well as added attention, for the league.

The Kings-Lakers Western Conference finals was the only seven-game
series that season. The letter states that two officials, whom he
calls "company men," acted in "the interest of the NBA, and that
night, it was in the NBA's interest to add another game to the
series."

Donaghy is awaiting sentencing, having pleaded guilty last year to
federal felony conspiracy charges after admitting to gambling on
games. Donaghy's lawyer filed a second letter Tuesday that said the
NBA is seeking $1 million in restitution from Donaghy.

"The accusation is attractive to Kings fans because the loss hurt so
much," said William Portanova, a Sacramento attorney who has
represented current and former Kings players such as Ron Artest and
Justin Williams. "It would be nice to think we should have won;
however, the reality is people in serious trouble lie in order to get
more lenient treatment."

Portanova said that Donaghy's accusation amounts to "gossip," and that
the timing of the allegations immediately sparked his skepticism.

"The Lakers are in the middle of the Finals, so it's time for maximum
impact and a cheap shot at the NBA," Portanova said. "The timing of
this accusation stinks."

But that's not to say it didn't rekindle raw emotions for Portanova, a
Kings fan. "That game broke my heart," he said. "I'm still upset, and
it awakened a lot of angry feelings in me."

But was it fixed?

"After 30 years in court, my opinion today is vast conspiracy theories
of this type are fantasies," he said, basing that opinion on the
number of people who would have to be involved and the potential for a
whistle-blower to reap financial benefits.

Long before the Donaghy scandal, the NBA had a system in place to
scrutinize referee scheduling and development. For example, there are
limits to the number of times an official can referee any one team
(nine a season) and how often they are in a particular city (not more
than once every 14 days).

However, most details of the relationship between the NBA and its game
officials are kept secret. Some say it's that cloak that is creating
the problem.

"The NBA has what it believes is a stellar image, but in this
community, it's questionable given the recent fiasco with the arena,"
said Elmets, the local publicist.

Elmets said controlling a public relations disaster requires taking
ownership, being candid and making it clear that a program is in place
to catch future wrongdoings.

"I have not seen that from the NBA," Elmets said, adding that NBA
Commissioner David Stern, by calling Donaghy a "rogue" referee, was
not truly addressing the problem.

"He has to be very confident in that or it will ruin his reputation
and create a significant black mark on the NBA," Elmets said.

Many fans are taking Donaghy's word, voicing their outrage in online
forums and blogs.

"Let's call it for what it is … the real BIG FIX in Sacramento,"
posted one person on The Bee's site.

"The NBA needs to do some serious damage control asap" wrote another
person on Kingsfans.com. That Web site showed 8,100 views on a Donaghy-
related discussion.

Elmets said what seems to be angering fans is that the NBA isn't the
only sport dealing with a scandal.

"When you combine this problem with the problems in baseball with
steroids, and when you look at problems that exist in football with
players who have been arrested for drug abuse and murder," Elmets
said, "you take all these things in and you begin to wonder: Is this
the sport we once knew?

"It could be an isolated case, but it clouds your thinking for better
or worse."
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Antworten

Dean Linley (15.06.2008 02:16)