Wizop wrote:Topofthekey wrote:I'm not compelled to say that the NBA fixes its games
But on the other hand, if you think they are morally above rigging the game when hundreds of millions of dollars in betting and TV ratings money are involved, I'd call you a fool
what I think is that the owners would put a stop to it quickly. there are more small market teams than big market teams and every small market owner would speak up behind closed doors to say you will not cheat me. now the big market owners get a huge financial advantage from their local TV contracts which provide the money to allow them to pay luxury tax and still make a profit and perhaps that doesn't hurt anyone. still the owners must know that more people watch the very worst NFL game than watch the NBA finals and the NFL rules create parity. the NBA's long term game plan is the international market as unlike American football, basketball is played everywhere. cheating smaller cities isn't productive if your goal is to secure a billion viewers in China.
Plus the amount of people that know and would be in on said fixes over the years more than just one rogue guy trying to sell a book would have excuse the pun but blown the whistle. Too many people have to be involved. The small market teams wouldn't stand for it. Not to mention the executives would be arrested for racketeering. I doubt Silver is risking is 8 figure payday to go to prison so some team can win a basketball game. C'mon man. Now where there is some bias we all know that stars get calls and where do the stars typically end up? That is the advantage. Not some crazy conspiracy.
