BLOR!!!!

Gamblor.

The dark beast that has stolen your mother.

This is bad, and for fans, it's downright infuriating. We've always half-expected the officials to be on some kind of agenda. But not like this. Sarcastic glances at Stern aside, this is bigger than that. Because now the idea is raised that the refs can be bought and the whole mob angle is kinda scary. We expected that to be a thing of the past. The mafia hasn't done much lately.... surely, they couldn't touch a billion dollar business. And hopefully, he's the only guy involved.

Will you ever look at games the same way? Will you be able to not go through hours of tape to look at Timmy O'Toole and all the calls he made? I'm going to let the league do that, but I wonder if they'll admit to how much he really did. They might say he's guilty, once the legal stuff is completed, but will they ever say for how many games?

And as far as that Suns-Spurs thing goes, I doubt any connection to actual outcome, but I think he could've had an efect. I disagreed with conspiracy theorists who immediately called for Stern's head because I doubt the league even likes the Spurs that much. The Suns are a much more attractive team. Now, people are wondering if Donaghy called that game to help the Spurs. The numbers don't show that. He called lots of fouls on both teams.... but that might be a sign. I do think that if he helped push the over on that game, which is possible, then maybe we should hold him somewhat accountable there. You can look at that game and see how pissed D'Antoni was (Simmons had great quotes on this). I wonder, if in his excessive foul calling, he helped raise the ires of both teams for that series. Perhaps he affected the eventual outcome by putting everyone in a pissy mood. I think part of the reasons tempers flared so much in that series is because the officiating was so inconsistent - not necessarily good or bad, but it changed a lot from game to game. So if he contributed to that, for his own purposes, then you could say he had an indirect hand in how that all went down. Which is awful.

I know folks from Cardinal O'Hara. This is a Philly Catholic school with a history of sports pride. I don't get it.

Anyway, I'm not going to stop watching, following, or talking about the league. I guess that's obvious. I wonder if casual fans will. I actually wouldn't mind it if the league became more niche oriented like hockey. I've always been willing to be part of a cult movement in any art. But that's a whole other argument.

NEWS & NOTES

After bashing Milwaukee for many moons now, I do like the Des Mason signing, even if he can't shoot. They needed a defender, not another shooter. Now if they could just trade Yi for some rebounding and passing.... they can get a decent four and backup point out of this, can't they?

Wait, oh wait, they signed Jake Voshkuhl. That solves EVERYTHING!!!!!

McDyess came back to Detroit. Smart. He can still play. I think they ought to let Webber go and give more time to Maxiell and Amir Johnson. I can't imagine paying both those old guys when they have lots of youth coming in.

Travis Diener to Indiana is a very nice under-the-radar move. He's a big change of pace from Tinsley. But they need more depth in the backcourt, so I hope Larry Legend isn't done yet.

I guess the Hornets did good by signing Mo Pete. I think he would've been better off in Utah. But at least he gives them some Peja insurance. That's not bad.

Here's a thought: if Paul Millsap is doing so well in summer league, and sure to be a more important part of the Jazz, shouldn't this make it easier to trade Kirilenko? They likely thought AK47 was needed in case Boozer got hurt and they could just move him back to the four, where he might be more useful. But with Millsap there, maybe they will be more confident making a deal. Sixers? Nets? Celtics? Anyone?

(Kyle Korver, Rodney Carney, Louis Williams, and a future pick? Please?)