NBA Edition
Wednesday, July 25 in the news....
- NBA Commissioner David Stern said on Tuesday an FBI probe learned that referee Tim Donaghy was a "rogue, isolated criminal" who bet on games and that it appeared no other league employees were involved. The referee has already resigned his position. Michael Jordan said it was unfortunate these events unfolded, because when he gambled on games he only had to retire for a year or so as punishment.
- David Stern said, "This is something that is the worst that could happen to a professional sports league." It is still uncertain how many games the referee may have been able to fix. In the meantime, to stay in LA Kobe Bryant has asked for the referee to be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
- Donaghy was an NBA referee for 13 years, and Stern said he was rated in the top tier of officials. But this wasn't the first time he was in trouble with the league. In January 2005, Stern said, the NBA investigated a dispute between Donaghy and a West Chester, Pa., neighbor. The neighbors, Pete and Lisa Mansueto, sued Donaghy for harassment and invasion of privacy, and accused him of vandalizing their property and stalking Lisa Mansueto. Donaghy said it was all a misunderstanding, as this was part of his initiation to join Allen Iverson's street gang.
- Mo Williams, a stand out 2006 point guard, signed a six-year, $51.5 million contract to remain with the Milwaukee Bucks. He will stay there with Michael Redd in the backcourt, and continue to help build the team around the Aussie centre and 2005 #1 draft pick, Andrew Bogut. Williams said he was happy with the deal, and now wants to move on and see how many 'W' games it can buy his team with the refs in the regular season.
