Shaquille O’Neal Shares Controversial Video Of Former Jailed Ref Admitting “Manipulation” of The NBA

Shaquille O’Neal, as has been noted time and time again, was probably one of the most dominant players in the league. The presence of “Big” Shaq on any team changed strategies for the opponent. He was doubled or even tripled screened, but inevitably, he would score big during a match. Post his playing days, he has had a constant presence on all social media platforms. His wholesome demeanor melts even the hardest fans’ hearts. So, it was a surprise for many when he posted something controversial on his Instagram stories.

Shaquille O’Neal sheds light on a controversy

O’Neal shared an Instagram reel from an account called, “allhailbball”. The account in question took clips from a podcast which interviewed disgraced referee Tim Donaghy. The latter was talking about the very controversial Game 6 of the Western Conference finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings in 2002. Dick Bavetta refereed that. According to Donaghy, ” He openly said to a lot of us that he was the NBA’s go to guy. He was put on game sixes to make sure they went to game sevens“.

He added,” When you talk about three referees supposedly making so many mistakes in a conference final game. You know where in America can you perform at that level in your job so poorly and still go to the next level and ref the NBA finals for a bonus of 20,000$“.

Donaghy was an NBA official for 13 seasons, from 1994 until 2007 when he resigned. He was involved in a gambling ring in which he was betting on games that he officiated and had a hand in deciding the outcomes. Donaghy ended up serving 15 months in prison because of the scandal. The NBA has distanced itself from him ever since.

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Shaquille O’Neal and the 2002 WCF Finals

Shaq actually played that game and had scored 41 points, along with 17 rebounds. His team, the Los Angeles Lakers, won that game 102-106. The game was subject to a lot of controversy because of refereeing decisions. The Lakers attempted 40 free throws to the Kings’ 25 in that game. Los Angeles made 21 of 27 from the line while Sacramento converted 7 of 9 in the fourth quarter alone.

In addition, a foul was called against Mike Bibby of the Kings after Kobe Bryant shoved and elbowed him, denying the Kings an opportunity to try for a tying basket. Also in that game, Kings centers Vlade Divac and Scot Pollard fouled out.

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According to the Kings coach Rick Adelman, there was something about that game which wasn’t right. Donaghy made the allegations himself in 2008. He alleged that the highly controversial Game 6 of the Lakers-Kings playoff series in 2002 was affected by the actions of two of the three referees who worked the game. David Stern, then Commissioner of the NBA, had refuted these allegations and thought this was a desperate act of a felon.

Are these allegations true? Is the NBA compromised? As fans, we may never know the real answer to this question.