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

[LakersLegacy]

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

Me too

[SNPA]

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

Me too

The I’m not a puppet, you’re the puppet energy is strong.

[theforumblue]

was game 7 rigged?

[BostonCouchGM]

of course. The NBA, since Magic and Bird saved it and Jordan made it global, thus increasing the TV money exponentially, has been a tv show more than a sport. The companies that buy ads or networks that purchase rights spend a ton of money and they want the most amount of people to watch for as many games as possible. The Nets had just won Game 6 and were headed to the Finals. Stern and the NBA knew they could not have them face a small market Kings team so the order went out.

[Castle Black]

Obviously. Tim Donaughey admitted that this game was one of the ones that they rigged for ratings. Not that he needed to. It was blatantly obvious. The most disgraceful game I’ve ever watched.

According to Donaghy, long time NBA official Dick Bevatta was a fixer of sorts for the league. And in the controversial Game 6, he may have helped change the outcome of the game and eventually, the series.

“He claimed several times to several of us that he was the NBA’s go-to guy,” Donaghy said of Bavetta. “He was put on Game 6s to force force Game 7s. I think there’s no doubt in my mind, or a lot of people from the inside of the NBA, they know that they gave the Lakers the benefit of several calls in that game, thinking it was just going to go to a Game 7 and Sacramento was going to win on their home floor. The Lakers win. They win the Championship and really, it’s unfortunate for Sacramento, because they should definitely have a ring on their finger.”

[seren]

I was rooting for the Kings the whole series. Webber disappointed me dearly always settling for the jumper instead of attacking the basket. If anybody fixed that series, it was Webber with his soft play

[Yeggo Poleggo]

This thread.

[Shock Defeat]

Lakers and Warriors are two teams that had significant ref help that allowed them to be "dynasties"

[Stan]

Of course Laker fans are in here in with the damage control and in full denial lol.

Watch on YouTube

There's a reason the consensus opinion about that game, outside of L.A., was that it was rigged.

[WashWiz54]

Yes, yes, it was.

Wars, elections (no, I'm not talking Trump so please don't take it there), high profile deaths, financial collapses, and everything else under the sun have been manufactured in the modern time... Do you really think an NBA game is where the buck stops? The game was rigged and it is what it is.

[Stan]

Yes, yes, it was.

Wars, elections (no, I'm not talking Trump so please don't take it there), high profile deaths, financial collapses, and everything else under the sun have been manufactured in the modern time... Do you really think an NBA game is where the buck stops? The game was rigged and it is what it is.

Post to And1 ratio checks out.

[WashWiz54]

Yes, yes, it was.

Wars, elections (no, I'm not talking Trump so please don't take it there), high profile deaths, financial collapses, and everything else under the sun have been manufactured in the modern time... Do you really think an NBA game is where the buck stops? The game was rigged and it is what it is.

Post to And1 ratio checks out.

I was active on this board in the early 2000's when And1's didn't exist. Just decided to log in today for nostalgia.... Now I remember why I left. Enjoy your childhood, though. Life is tough, make sure you pack a helmet bc And1's don't mean much in adulthood!

[AussieCeltic]

The NBA wanted a game 7. I dont think they necessarily wanted Lakers to go to the finals, more they wanted to extend an amazing series.

[Jkam31]

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

Like how is this even possible

[Jkam31]

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

Sacramento should’ve boycotted game 7

[JellosJigglin]

One of those myths that sore losers repeat enough times until they eventually believe it.

[Noctilux]

I had no idea QAnon followers had a huge presence on RealGM

[Laimbeer]

Webber/Horry was terrible and they missed Kobe's elbow to Bibby. Those are the only two clearly bad calls. The Kings looked more interested in blaming the refs than winning the game.

[MrGoat]

May have been the most obviously fixed basketball game since the 1972 Olympics

[druggas]

The Kings were a great front running team, but when the pressure amped up, they suffered from alligator arms.