Former Minnesota Timberwolves forward Eddie Griffin died last week when his sport utility vehicle collided with a freight train in a fiery crash, the Harris County medical examiner’s office said Tuesday. Investigators used dental records to identify Griffin, 25, who began his tumultuous pro career with the Houston Rockets in 2001. He was waived by the Timberwolves in March. “The cause of death and manner of death, which also includes toxicology results, is pending,” said Beverly Begay, chief investigator for the Harris County Medical Examiner’s office. Griffin, a five-year veteran who was the No. 7 pick in the 2001 NBA draft, had battled alcohol problems since coming out of Seton Hall. He was suspended by the league for five games in January for violating its anti-drug program. “Basketball was never an issue with him. He needed more life lessons, and unfortunately he was never able to reach his potential,” former Timberwolves coach Dwane Casey said.
Donaghy Pleads Guilty
Disgraced NBA referee Tim Donaghy has pleaded guilty to two felony charges he bet on NBA games he was assigned to. ESPN initially broke the story last night (8-14) saying a guilty plea was coming. As of this morning, another article was posted, confirming what was first reported.
Of course, Donaghy’s admittance of guilt only further confirms what most NBA conspiracy freaks and normal critiques alike have been thinking: the NBA is fixed and refs are big part of it – regardless if Donaghy’s actions were indeed rogue and isolated.
ESPN has more, courtesy of the AP:
Donaghy provided recommendations, called “picks,” to co-conspirators about what team they should bet on, said U.S. District Court Judge Carol Bagley Amon. If he was correct, they paid him.
The information was not public, the judge said. Donaghy had “unique access,” including what crews would officiate at games, the interaction of different officials and players, and the physical condition of certain players.
And for all the “the NBA is fixed” fans out there, the article thought of you as well:
(Donaghy) concealed the scheme from the NBA and other referees to avoid detection, the judge said.
Of course, if there were others involved in the Donaghy scandal, it probably would’ve broken by now.
As a lifelong NBA fan, I can only hope this is an isolated incident. The last thing the struggling-in-ratings NBA needs is a scandal bigger than what it already has. KG’s trade to the Celtics has generated a lot of much-needed positive buzz for Eastern Conference and the NBA as a whole. A long-reaching referee scandal would be devastating. However, as it was pointed out on Mike and Mike, to those who think the NBA is already tainted, the damage has already been done.
For his gambling indiscretions, Donaghy faces a maximum of 25 years in prison. The article also indicates he will be “sentenced for conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting waging information through interstate commerce.”
On a more positive note, the NBA-fueled Team USA Men’s basketball team has been practicing and from what I’ve read, the competition has been great. Hopefully this carries over in the be-here-sooner-than-you-think upcoming NBA basketball season. The league will only benefit from a Kobe/Lebron/Dwight Howard rivalry. One can only hope.
Chris Richardson is the web communication specialist for Ticket Solutions. At Ticket Solutions, we have tickets for games to every MLB baseball game you can think of, including the World Series. Check out our NBA Basketball inventory. Watch for the Ticket Solutions sports blog launching soon.
