Personal Foul: A First-Person Account of the Scandal that Rocked the NBA

I always suspected that professional basketball was a little fixed. I'd watch basketball games and wonder why the stars got away with mauling another ballplayer but didn't get called on it. So I stopped watching NBA games because I figured it was fixed through the league office. This book just confirms my suspicions. Star players are given the benefit of the doubt on calls from referees.A fan doesn't go to see Jordan, Kobe, or LeBron sit on the bench, the NBA and its army of referees assures the fan of this charade. Defensive specialists are sure to sit the bench with fouls because the league demands that the offensive stars are center stage."Star Stoppers" like Raja Bell would shut down players like Kobe Bryant, or at least slow them down and get him out of his game and interrupt his rhythm. If the likes of Raja Bell and Kobe collide, the foul certainly goes against Raja. Fans don't pay high prices to see Raja Bell, they go to see Kobe score 40 points. The league office sends out its message to let Kobe score 40 points. (page 64)"Jordan Rules" refer to the treatment Michael Jordan got when he was playing. The league office tells refs to make a call on players but not on "Jordan." (page 26)Sometimes if a game gets a little physically rough the referees will huddle together and start calling their "ticky tack" fouls on "the players who really don't matter." Fouls that if one player barely touhed another player, a foul was called. We would never call these types of calls on Superstars...It was important to keep the stars on the floor." (page 24)In the 2006 NBA Finals the Mavs won the first two games at home. For the league office, this wasn't acceptable. "With millions of dollars of revenue on the line, a sweep by the Mavs was out of the question." In Game 5 of that series the Heat had 49 free throws to the Mavs 25.(page 82)The 2002 Western Conference Finals between the LA Lakers and the Sacramento Kings is a stunning example of game manipulation at its ugliest. As history shows the Kings lost game 6 in a wild come-from-behind thriller that saw the Lakers repeatedly sent to the foul line. For other NBA referees watching the game it was a shameful performance by Dick Bavetta's crew. Read the letter Ralph Nader wrote to David Stern concerning this travesty.(page 98)Page 100 tells the fixing of a game for the Lakers in the 2000 Western Conference Finals. Players who are liked get the benefit of the doubt on calls and the players who are disliked get all the calls against them - Allen Iverson is a great example. No matter how many times Allen Iverson was fouled and went to the floor, he would not get a call.(page 4)Pro Basketball is fake, fixed, and favors the star athletes. Think about it, when was the last time you saw a superstar foul out. This book confirms what I suspected.Don't watch NBA games, the outcome is predetermined. College games are true competition.

The story of a good man gone bad. The story of years and years of hard work, down the drain. The story of bad decisions resulting in the rebirth of a new person. The story of the internal struggle between good and evil. The story of Tim Donaghy is both riveting and life changing through all the stories he personally relates to the reader. Growing up in small-town Pennsylvania, it seemed as if Donaghy would never amount to anything. Through hard work and many trials, Donaghy finally made it to the National Basketball Association and was able to run with the big dogs and superstars. In a reasonable amount of time, Donaghy was introduced into the wrong crowds and gambling habits mixed with poor situations, created a recipe for absolute and total disaster. In the end, he realized honesty was the best shot and although the mistakes he made were not reversible, he can still find the strength and faith to live each day to the fullest and be the role model he used to be for his daughters. The second I turned the first page of Donaghy's book, I could not stop turning the pages. I read the book for three days straight trying to progress through all stages of Donaghy's life that he was so willing to share with the public and more importantly, the reader. The experiences Donaghy shared about various NBA players such as Shaquille O'Neal, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant showed that he was not the only one in the NBA that was at fault. Donaghy also discussed various superstars like Jack Nickolson and how they were relentless on the referees. The most valuable point in the 245 page book was that Donaghy did not place the blame on other people, he may have pointed out other flaws in the system, but never did he say that someone else was at fault and throughout the book, he took credit to all the mistakes he made. By reading this book, I was brought on Donaghy's level and I was so enthused with his writing that I had the desire to get in touch with him. Before I continue recommending "Personal Foul" as a must read, I want to inform you that through the help of the publishing company, VTi Group, I was actually able to come in contact with Tim Donaghy. Although due to our busy schedules we have not been able to speak much, but I can tell you that Donaghy may be one of the nicest men I have ever spoken with. As I spoke with him on the telephone, Donaghy made sure to tell me that the message of the book must not be confused. Donaghy made sure to say that honesty was the best road to take. I could not agree with him more and I would do anything to help him with the message he wants to convey. On a one to ten scale, ten being the absolute best, I award this book a twelve. To help cope with life's issues of addiction and honesty, "Personal Foul" is a must read for all people.

Brilliant brilliant book. So well written and some juicy secrets the NBA doesn't want u to know

Tim Donaghy ist eine umstrittene Person. Insofern muss man auch sehen, inwiefern seine zahlreichen Aussagen in diesem Buch auch der Wahrheit entsprechen. Nichtsdestotrotz ist es ein sehr unterhaltsames Buch, das vorallem natürlich für NBA interessierte Menschen viele, zum teil witzige, Anektdoten aus dem alltäglichen Lebens eines NBA Schieri beinhaltet. Thematisiert wird aber auch die Wett-und Spielsucht von Donaghy.Das Buch lässt sich in english übrigens sehr einfach lesen.Von mir gibts für dieses unterhaltsame Buch 5 Sterne

Really good, under rated and under appreciated book.Beyond the useful and fun basketball knowledge, Tim delves deeply into what it means to have a gambling addiction.

Good book.

Great book, shows that the NBA is decided by officials in many instances.WWE referees are more competent