Title/Author:
“Personal Foul” by Tim
Donaghy
Tags:
Basketball,
professional, officiating, gambling, memoir
Publish date:
June 9, 2010
Length:
270 pages
Rating:
4 of 5 stars (very good)
Review:
It was a scandal that
rocked the sports world and made tabloids write some interesting
headlines. When NBA referee Tim Donaghy
was questioned by the FBI and later sent to prison for his involvement with
organized crime while gambling on basketball games, it left the league
scrambling to defend its reputation. Donaghy
decided to write about his actions and how it led to his downfall after a
successful career as an NBA referee. His
book makes for some eye-opening reading.
What is most striking
about Donaghy’s information that he passed to members of crime families is how
simple it was to obtain. Donaghy didn’t
pour over advanced statistics or even analyze player matchups between the
teams. He simply looked at who were the
referees working a particular game and knowing that one of these officials may
have a grudge against one of the coaches or players, he knew that one team
might have a significant advantage
It was also
interesting to read about one common perception coming true. Many basketball fans, reporters, players and
coaches have believed that superstar players usually receive favorable
treatment and calls. Donaghy, through his
years as an NBA referee, provides insight and information that confirms this
belief through his interactions with players and fellow referees. He also
speaks of the league directing its officials to help ensure that a playoff series
goes longer and that the larger markets advance in the playoffs. As an example
of the latter item, he uses the sixth game between the Los Angeles Lakers and
the Sacramento Kings in 2002 to show how the way a game is officiated can
affect a lot more than just the final score.
The mood of the book
is not one of anger nor pity for Donaghy’s situation. He realizes his mistakes
and knows that he has to pay the price through a prison term and in personal
life. He doesn’t make excuses nor does
he show much anger toward anyone else.
While he did commit crimes, I found this memoir very interesting for the
inside look at the world of basketball referees and just how much influence
they have on the game. It is a book that
all basketball fans will enjoy reading.
Book Format Read:
E-book (Nook)
Buying links:
No comments:
Post a Comment