Was the 2002 Lakers-Kings WCF Game 6 really fixed?

BobbyPortisEyes · Post #1 » by **BobbyPortisEyes** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 4:09 pm

I was a hardcore Kings fan 20 years ago and I was crushed when they lost in the Western Conference Finals. I didn't even watch the Finals because I was so disenchanted by all things NBA after seeing Mike Bibby "foul" Kobe's elbow with his nose. I thought it was rigged at the time so I of course doubled down on this belief after all the Donaghy stuff came out in 2007 and it became the commonly accepted narrative. It's become so entrenched in sports folklore that I would venture to guess that the majority of NBA fans think Donaghy was part of the Game 6 officiating crew.. he wasn't.

Looking back on the infamous Game 6 now... I hate to say it but I just don't see it. It was a horribly officiated game with bad calls going both ways. Unfortunately, the Kings were the victims of three questionable calls in a row down the stretch.

If I'm being totally objective.. I just don't think they saw Kobe elbowing Bibby in the face (starting at 9:10). It happened too quickly and Bob Delaney blew the whistle based on the aftermath with Kobe fighting to get through and Bibby's arm draped around him. Inexcusable? Yes. Rigged? I don't think so.

The Vlade loose ball call (at 7:28), contrary to what Coach Nick says, is not a bad call in my opinion. I'm pretty sure you can't just plant one hand on a guy's shoulder and swipe the ball loose with your other hand. It's a bit of a weird call though because I don't think the ref (Delaney once again) actually saw this happen, his field of vision is badly obstructed by both Kobe and Christie. But he does see Horry on the floor, he sees Vlade clumsily fall to the floor and he sees the ball batted loose as a result of Vlade's motion. He's filling in the blank here in my opinion and happened to guess correctly as to what happened.. it's not an inconceivable call. Also in the play leading up to this sequence, Webber blatantly fouls Horry with Dick Bavetta and Bob Delaney having a clear line of vision on the play. If the game was rigged, there would be absolutely zero reason for neither guy to make this obvious call.

The Webber offensive foul on Horry (starting at 4:32) is a legitimately horrible call. Horry did do a great job of selling it and directing his body toward Webber who wasn't moving towards him.. but NBA refs shouldn't fall for stuff like this.

Watch on YouTube

What do you guys think.. rigged or not? I've learned to let go and at least acknowledge that the evidence is pretty weak.

P.S. Here's Part 1 of Coach Nick's and Ronnie Nunn's analysis, which serves as further evidence that the game was officiated horribly for both teams.

Watch on YouTube

Pharmcat · Post #2 » by **Pharmcat** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 4:14 pm

yes, next question

Homer38 · Post #3 » by **Homer38** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 4:15 pm

The Lakers had 27 FTA in the fourth quarter....

GSWFan1994 · Post #4 » by **GSWFan1994** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 4:20 pm

In all my 30+ years following the NBA, I've never seen a game as rigged as this one, before or since.

Wallace_Wallace · Post #5 » by **Wallace_Wallace** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 5:16 pm

It's highly questionable, let's leave it at that. The Lakers were definitely allowed to be more physical on defense while the Kings were being to whistled for calls with the slightest contacts.

SNPA · Post #6 » by **SNPA** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 7:27 pm

*2002

Everyone knows the deal. Shaq is wearing Webber’s ring and should through decency or shame/embarrassment give it to him.

Pelon chingon · Post #7 » by **Pelon chingon** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 7:32 pm

Changed the narrative of that awesome 2002 Kings team forever. So many things would be different if they weren't screwed.

The Laker Kid · Post #8 » by **The Laker Kid** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 7:52 pm

How old was everyone here when that game aired?

JRoy · Post #9 » by **JRoy** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 7:53 pm

bradybunch · Post #10 » by **bradybunch** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 8:04 pm

Vegas/bookies ruined professional sports. That and maximizing profit in any way imaginable.

However you cope with reality is on you.

Enjoy it, but don't delude yourself.

Sgt Major · Post #11 » by **Sgt Major** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 8:13 pm

CS707 · Post #12 » by **CS707** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 8:13 pm

bradybunch wrote:Vegas/bookies ruined professional sports. That and maximizing profit in any way imaginable.

However you cope with reality is on you.

Enjoy it, but don't delude yourself.

Good post. The thing about it is, once you open that door for yourself, you really forfeit the right to complain about it. You’re willing watching something you believe to be orchestrated. Worst still is the selectivity of what people choose is fixed vs not. It’s either corrupt or it’s not.

Statlanta · Post #13 » by **Statlanta** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 8:33 pm

I think Game 5 of the 2006 NBA Finals is more fixed than this.

jerok · Post #14 » by **jerok** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 9:08 pm

Man, I remember watching that game. I wanted the kings to win so bad, but I never really thought the game was rigged at the time. Shaq was so dominant it was ingrained in my mind that Lakers always got the calls because of him. But when the report came out, it made me think about it a little bit. That Kings team was special, able to take on Shaq and Kobe and almost beat them was impressive.

FrobeBryant · Post #15 » by **FrobeBryant** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 10:42 pm

The Kings had more free throw attempts the entire series. I don’t buy into conspiracy theories otherwise it makes the game unwatchable. There’s always questionable calls in big games every year. We hear the same complaints from every fan base when their team loses. Move on, it’s been 20 years.

rilamann · Post #16 » by **rilamann** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 11:06 pm

My exact words during the commercial break between the 3rd & 4th quarters Not a chance in hell the officials let the Kings win this game.

I am pretty sure I am not the only who called it before it happened...lol.

Noctilux · Post #17 » by **Noctilux** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 11:24 pm

Can you add WTF to your pole?

BobbyPortisEyes · Post #18 » by **BobbyPortisEyes** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 11:44 pm

Noctilux wrote:Can you add WTF to your pole?

Let's leave my pole out of this, alright buddy?

Stan · Post #19 » by **Stan** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 11:51 pm

You'd have to be delusional to watch the officiating from that game, especially in the 4th quarter, and not reach the conclusion that the refs were doing everything in their power to have the Lakers win the game.

There are other infamously officiated games where I think the claims of rigging are overstated, but Game 6 100% lives up to it's billing. It was a legitimate sports travesty.

SNPA · Post #20 » by **SNPA** » Mon Sep 26, 2022 11:58 pm

Stan wrote:You'd have to be delusional to watch the officiating from that game, especially in the 4th quarter, and not reach the conclusion that the refs were doing everything in their power to have the Lakers win the game.

There are other infamously officiated games where I think the claims of rigging are overstated, but Game 6 100% lives up to it's billing. It was a legitimate sports travesty.

But Kings got free throws too and what about game five and Sac should have won game seven and these are our rings weeeehhhh.

-Lakers

Was the 2002 WCF Game 6 rigged?