NBA responds to Tim Donaghy claim that refs fixed a playoff series

The New York Daily News (John Marzulli) reports: Ex-NBA referee Tim Donaghy told the feds two refs fixed the outcome of one playoff series – and that officials were told not to eject star players from games for fear of hurting ticket sales. The bombshell allegations are contained in a court document filed Tuesday by Donaghy’s lawyer. It describes the “inner workings” of the NBA in which top league executives used referees to manipulate games. Donaghy, who pleaded guilty in Brooklyn Federal Court to charges of betting on games he officiated, told FBI agents “league officials would tell referees that they should withhold calling technical fouls on certain star players because doing so hurt ticket sales and television ratings,” the document said… Donaghy also claimed a supervising referee told refs that an unidentified NBA executive did not want them to call technical fouls on star players or boot them from the game.

The National Basketball Association issued the following  statement  today  from  Richard  Buchanan,  NBA  Executive  Vice President and General Counsel: “According to Mr. Donaghy, all of his allegations have previously been made to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney, and they are clearly being disclosed now as part of his desperate attempt to lighten the sentence that will be imposed for his criminal conduct.  The NBA remains vigilant in protecting the integrity of our game and has fully cooperated with the government at every stage of its investigation.  The only criminal activity uncovered is Mr. Donaghy’s.”

Terry Porter Suns salary info

The East Valley Tribune (Jerry Brown) reports: New Suns coach Terry Porter will make about $2.3 million (with the possibility of some performance incentives) for each of the next three years – a little more than half of what former coach Mike D’Antoni ($4.5 million) was scheduled to make this season. Porter said he and Kerr would build the coaching staff together, and a defensive specialist wouldn’t be necessary since he would personally implement the philosophy. Alvin Gentry, D’Antoni’s lead assistant last season, is a candidate for the staff along with ex-Sun Jeff Hornacek and Jerome Kersey, Porter’s former teammate in Portland and an assistant when Porter was the head man in Milwaukee.