Did the NBA Force the 2002 Lakers Team To the Finals?

Hey readers! This week I was challenged to write an article on a conspiracy theory, the reasons why these theories are believed, and whether or not I think it’s true. Because of my love of sports, I wanted to write this article on a known NBA conspiracy theory. Many NBA fans of the 2000’s have heard of a conspiracy theory regarding 2002’s NBA Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings. This article will share my thoughts on the subject. Enjoy!

Vlade Divac (21) visibly upset after being called for a foul.

During Game 6 of the 2001-02 NBA Western Conference Finals, the Sacramento Kings were tied with the Los Angeles Lakers 75-75 entering the fourth quarter. The Kings were leading the series 3-2 in the best of seven series. Had the Kings won the game, they would’ve faced off with the New Jersey Nets in the NBA Finals. However, that never happened. In that fourth quarter, many serious NBA fans believe the NBA and its referees willed the Lakers to victory. Here are reasons why this conspiracy could be true, as well as reasons why it could not be.

Reasons Why it Could Be True:

1. The Lakers were coming off winning two straight championships, so it would be great for publicity and the NBA to showcase a team with a three-peat, which rarely happens.
2. Tim Donaghy, a former NBA referee who lost his job betting on games, claimed that the referees of that game rigged that series in order to push the series to its seventh game.
3. The Lakers shot an absurd 27 free throws in the fourth quarter alone, compared to the Kings only shooting 9.
4. Scot Pollard, the backup for the Kings’ best defender Vlade Divac, was immediately called for 6 fouls in only 11 minutes of play. With four fouls before he took a break, Divac was called for his last two available fouls really quickly, leaving the Kings without two of their most important players. The final foul called on him was him diving on the floor for a ball, barely touching Kobe Bryant.
5. Scot Pollard, who played on the Kings, claimed that he thought there was no way they’d be able to win that game because of how the refs were calling the game.

Reasons Why it Couldn’t Be True:

1. Former Los Angeles Laker Derek Fisher, who played in this game, stated in an interview that every game, one team will get more calls.
2. David Stern, the commissioner of the NBA at the time, denied Tim Donaghy’s statements, saying that his actions were that of a desperate convicted felon.
3. Tim Donaghy, before this incident occurred, was known for not being trustworthy at times.
4. Former Lakers head coach Phil Jackson stated that he believed that the referees missed plenty of calls the game before.
5. Derek Fisher claimed that he didn’t believe the referees were helping the Lakers out.

What I believe

Mike Bibby (0) getting elbowed in the face, which was not called for a foul.

After doing research and watching highlights of the fourth quarter, it was very clear that this conspiracy is true. It was easy to see how the NBA wanted the series to go another game. I believe what Tim Donaghy claimed because there was no reason to lie. In his case, he already admitted he was guilty of gambling and betting on the games he was reffing. Also, I believe he wanted to make amends for his mistakes and provide information during the investigation of this game. These referees were clearly biased towards the Lakers. Mike Bibby, a star point guard for the Kings, was elbowed in the face after being run over by Kobe Bryant in the final minutes, but there was no whistle. Sacramento was called on fouls where they either barely touched a Lakers’ player, or the foul was actually on the other team. While Sacramento still could’ve won Game 7, it was very clear that Game 6 of the series was rigged.

Jovan McSellers writes about current interesting topics for the Contemporary Journalism class at The Potter’s School.

Thank you all for reading, I hope you all enjoyed, and please subscribe below for notifications on upcoming articles. God bless!

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

– Psalm 18:2

Sources:

https://img.thedailybeast.com/image/upload/c_crop,d_placeholder_euli9k,h_1012,w_1800,x_0,y_0/dpr_1.5/c_limit,w_1044/fl_lossy,q_auto/v1493048392/articles/2012/06/06/the-nba-s-greatest-ugliest-series/gallagher-lakers-kings-2002-embed_egjrcm (for the image)

https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3436401

https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91415111

https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-nbas-greatest-ugliest-series