The NBA is fixed

People have been saying this for years. I refused to believe it. I did not believe the NBA was fixed when the Phoenix Suns repeatedly lost and sportscasters kept attributing it to "lack of defensive aggressiveness." I did not believe it when the Miami Heat somehow managed to win the finals in 2006. I even looked the other way when referee Tim Donaghy was actually caught in illegal doings.

Additional note: this New York Times article came out Friday.

Then, during the Lakers/Celtics series I finally came to my senses. Just look at the foul records from each game. I've concluded that the refs ultimately dictate the outcome. So, with my childhood illusions shattered, I'm going to join the rest of the world in the realization that pro basketball is a sham.

____From The Late Show with David Letterman
Top Ten Signs an NBA Game Is Fixed
10. Game begins 20 minutes before visiting team arrives
9. Tip-off always goes to the player with the largest salary
8. At the end of the first quarter, the score is 179 to 2
7. Missed three-pointers count for two points if they're "pretty close"
6. One of the Laker Girls looks suspiciously like Pete Rose
5. Whenever he's open, referee takes a shot
4. Scoreboard has disclaimer: "All Scores Approximate"
3. The team loses even though it led in points, delegates and the popular vote
2. Jack Nicholson scores 25 points from his seat
1. The Knicks win