Golden State Warriors: Tim Donaghy expects league to rig Game 5
Ex-NBA official Tim Donaghy fully expects the Golden State Warriors to be on the wrong side of a fix in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
What is it with the NBA and conspiracy theories? Whether it’s the NBA lottery or the playoffs, there is something that always leads to suspicion with the league. Admittedly, most of it is speculation and unfounded in any truth, but the league finds themselves involved in a new conspiracy at every turn. Unfortunately, the Golden State Warriors might be on the wrong end of one if disgraced former official Tim Donaghy is to be believe.
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Donaghy was on 1050 KNBR’s The Audible (Via Katie Woo) before Game 5 and spoke about how the league will try to extend this series and draw it out. Needless to say, Donaghy thinks the refs are gonig to go after Draymond Green early and try to take this thing back to Cleveland.
“There’s no doubt in my mind (the NBA) would love this thing to go to a Game 6,” Donaghy said. “I think they’re going to show (the referees) a lot of plays that should’ve been called against Golden State and weren’t. I think they’re going to concentrate on (Draymond) Green and make sure that he isn’t able to be in any physicality or rough house anybody in any shape or form. You’re probably going to see him in foul trouble again. It’s a situation where they’re going to try to get a Game 6 and open things up to create some more revenue for the league.”
First off, it’s hard to take Donaghy’s words at face value but it certainly is always something to be skeptical about. Regardless of anything Donaghy says or ever will say, there’s always going to be a level of suspicion among some regarding league practices.
It’s no league secret that there hasn’t always been the best officiating and Game 4 in the NBA Finals was as proof as any that officials can exert too much influence at times. However, while the officiating was bad in that game, it was a record amount of three-point field goals from the Cavaliers that ultimately sunk the Warriors.
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Now, the NBA has another headache on its hands and if the Cavaliers do indeed win Game 5, there’s going to be even more cause for skepticism whether it’s deserved or not. The league certainly hasn’t done anything to help themselves over the years and while Donaghy’s words are not something they can stop, it perhaps could allow them to reevaluate the way their officials handle games. Perhaps it could be a way to make it more transparent for the fans that pay money to watch their favorite teams.