David Stern asks Jim Rome if he beats his wife...

[carom]

Agreed, reminds my of the wire. Don't trance the money or allegations too far.

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

There's no shortage of these type of incidents and the NBA is the only professional sport that seems to have so many red flags. It's the first North American professional sport where an official came forward admitting there was a fix in. The league smeared Tim Donaghy enough to quietly slip the ordeal under the rug but if you do the digging you will find that there is a very good chance that he was telling the truth;



There's just so much money involved in professional sports that it's simply not in the best interests to dig deep enough to destroy the foundation which is why this issue was never pressed and just faded away.

It seems like the NBA draft lottery seems to be awfully generous to scenerios that would be in the league's best interest. I mean in 2008 the Bulls had a 1.7% of winning the draft lottery which is nearly impossible yet the 3rd biggest and important markets pulls off the miracle. Okay maybe once this can happen but in 1993 when an emerging market (Orlando) with a massively marketed star in Shaq was floundering needing surrounding talent badly to prop him up with a 1.52% chance of winning the lottery pulls off the upset. We are talking about picking one of 15 balls in 1000. Possible? Yes but on multiple occasions and there are never instances of the Raptors, Timberwolves, Hornets, Kings, etc. When these extremely low odds upsets happen it's always in the league's favour.

Let's face it. The NBA stinks and Stern's no less crooked than any of the most crooked CEO's in business.

What about the Pens getting Crosby and Mario? Generational talents that saved the franchise twice.

I don't think the lottery is rigged, but I think Rome has to ask that question.

[North East Goon]

There was no draft lottery back in 1984, but someone in the Pens organization did admit to not putting there best foot forward down the stretch.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by carom

Haven't listen yet by this goes all the way back to the first NBA draft lottery in 1985, the "frozen envelope" or "bent envelope". Guess who was commish in 1985.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationa...1985_NBA_Draft

Beat me to it.

"No, the NBA lottery is not rigged.

Sincerely,
Patrick Ewing and the New York Knicks"

[T@T]

Can anyone give a reason why these lotteries aren't public? I've heard for "dramatics" but really, who cares about the dramatics it a friken lottery, sometimes theres a surprize and most times people would love it!

Why pro sports put themselves threw this crap is beyond stupid.

[browna]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

When I say 'even in context' it means I know exactly that he wasn't serious about the wife beating comment but that doesn't mean it's still not a poor choice of words for a comissioner on national radio.

True, but its a pretty classic/standard line that lawyers, to which Stern is falling back to his old profession as a defense, in this case.

As was said, if Jordan's team would've won the lottery, or Brooklyn in their initial season next year won the lottery,there'd be similar cries. The have's and the have not's in the NBA are a lot more defined and I am sure more than a few are on shaky ground that could use a #1 pick to bolster the market. So Stern's point is valid, even though the poor choice to get sucked into exactly what Rome wanted (although not expected).

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by T@T

Can anyone give a reason why these lotteries aren't public? I've heard for "dramatics" but really, who cares about the dramatics it a friken lottery, sometimes theres a surprize and most times people would love it!

Why pro sports put themselves threw this crap is beyond stupid.

I'm going to take a wild stab at this and say it's because of logistics. Say there are 300 balls in the jar. Every team has X number of balls in the jar with the worst team having the most balls. Say they draw the 1st pick overall. That teams remaining balls then have to be drained from the jar, and the 2nd overall gets chosen, then their remaining balls have to be drained etc etc. I think it's probably a longer process, and the worst part about it is you'd find out #1 instead of counting down to #1. I'm satisfied if a reputible company like Deloitte or whomever they have doing it, gives their approval.

[NBC]

Is there anything to Stern's comments? Has Rome ever been implicated in a spousal assault case?

[Senator Clay Davis]

Stern was just trying to ask Rome what he felt was the same type of loaded question that Stern thinks Rome was asking him. Rome didn't even get mad at it, so there is no truth to it in anyway. It's ironic because in the process Stern probably raised more suspicions the conspiracies are real and made himself look like a joke (as if he's not already pro sports biggest joke) in the process.

[Northendzone]

In some ways I thought that Rome had to ask the question, but that being said, what answer was he expecting from the commish?

I think the commish kind of blew it though - what a jack wad thing for a guy in his position to say on live radio....it will be interesting to see if there is any fallout from this, or if it just gets forgotten about.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

In some ways I thought that Rome had to ask the question, but that being said, what answer was he expecting from the commish?

I think the commish kind of blew it though - what a jack wad thing for a guy in his position to say on live radio....it will be interesting to see if there is any fallout from this, or if it just gets forgotten about.

A simple 'no'....what Stern said after that was beyond acceptable for a man in his position.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by NBC

Is there anything to Stern's comments? Has Rome ever been implicated in a spousal assault case?

He wasn't accusing him of beating his wife. He was demonstrating, in an irresponsible way, that he thought Rome had asked him a loaded question.

When did you stop beating your wife implies that you have beaten your wife in the past. It was rhetorical.

[Displaced Flames fan]

You know, back in the day Rome used to talk NHL a BUNCH. Now he's half-heartedly joined the rest of American talk radio in laughing at the thought of talking it very much.

When I first heard him in 1992 or so on XTRA out of San Diego he was a "pimp" for the NHL. Now, it's just an aftethough. I think it's because of the lack of trash talk. It's a shame. He used to get some good NHL interviews.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

You know, back in the day Rome used to talk NHL a BUNCH. Now he's half-heartedly joined the rest of American talk radio in laughing at the thought of talking it very much.

When I first heard him in 1992 or so on XTRA out of San Diego he was a "pimp" for the NHL. Now, it's just an aftethough. I think it's because of the lack of trash talk. It's a shame. He used to get some good NHL interviews.

Actually this playoff year he was on about it everyday at some point. Of course it doesnt hurt that he is a lifelong Kings fan and also picked them to win it all before things began, but he did talk a bunch about the NHL the last couple months....no where near what he talked NBA playoffs of course, but he is merely pandering to his demographic in that case.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Actually this playoff year he was on about it everyday at some point. Of course it doesnt hurt that he is a lifelong Kings fan and also picked them to win it all before things began, but he did talk a bunch about the NHL the last couple months....no where near what he talked NBA playoffs of course, but he is merely pandering to his demographic in that case.

I know. Even he admitted that he wanted to talk about the Kings before the playoffs even started but waited until it was a bigger story.

I know I am biased, but the product the NHL puts out is so superior to any other sports league not named the NFL that I am just mystified that so many people tune it out in favor of MLB and NBA which, to me, are the complete opposite of competitive and exciting.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

I know. Even he admitted that he wanted to talk about the Kings before the playoffs even started but waited until it was a bigger story.

I know I am biased, but the product the NHL puts out is so superior to any other sports league not named the NFL that I am just mystified that so many people tune it out in favor of MLB and NBA which, to me, are the complete opposite of competitive and exciting.

Oh I agree...but it is what it is and the Yanks love their NBA...i dont get it either.

[edn88]

Rome, if he was an actual journalist, and not a sensationalist, could have framed his question like "Many would believe that since the NBA owns the team, that the lottery was fixed". Stern as an adult could have replied to either question - "look, here is how we do the lottery, and here is the controls that we have to guarantee no funny games"
Both Rome and Stern are playing the same game in the media which is controversy equals ratings. Rome keeps saying he wants to take the high road, but he is clearly milking this on his show all week, letting his Clones weigh in and essentially say the things that Rome wants to say, but won't.