Dave Smith

When former NBA referee Tim Donaghy was fired and then sent to jail for betting on NBA games, I was hoping commissioner David Stern would call for an independant investigation to learn the truth. I was certain several other officials were involved and there was no way the NBA could sweep this under the rug and still maintain credibility….

Even though phone records showed Donaghy made hundreds of calls to officials minutes before tip offs of games he officiated, Stern ordered an NBA investigation. The results? Shocking!….

The “investigation” took about five minutes and came to the conclusion that Donaghy acted alone. And then Stern announced the discussion was closed and it was time to move on….

This was obviously a whitewash, a cover up and almost nobody believed this fraudulent conclusion. But Stern held his breath, turned blue and got his way. He also lucked out that a few weeks later the league got a Lakers-Celtics Finals, which diverted attention away from the NBA’s chicanery….

The commissioner probably thought he was through with mess, until this week; when exerpts from Donaghy’s new book began to surface. In the book, Donaghy admits to conspiring with fellow officials to get Allen Iverson, who had complained publicly about officiating….

Here’s more:
“Among the allegations reportedly made by Donaghy in the book “Blowing the Whistle: The Culture of Fraud in the NBA,” Donaghy was able to bet on games based on information on the styles of officials and some of their relationships with certain players and teams.”

Reaction: The worst news possible for the NBA, which wants to get as far away as possible. But the good new is the publisher is passing on releasing the book, allegedly because the NBA threatened to sue.

I hope some publisher has the guts to run with this, because this stuff is too good. I also wish Donaghy would come clean and admit there were other officials involved….

And Stern should do the right thing, step aside and allow independant investigators to dig into this….

Speaking of upcoming books, Andre Agassi has an autobiography hitting bookstores in November which looks like it’s going to be a blockbuster….

In the book, Agassi reportedly admits to wearing a “mohawk toupee” when his hairline was receding, actually wore rouge, says he “hated his father and hated tennis” and admits to using crystal meth back in 1997…

Obviously, the drug admission is dominating the headlines, but I’m most interested in that mohawk toupee. I can’t wait to sdee pictures of that one….

And wearing rouge is definitely a man card violation. Maybe a permanent revocation. The board will have to convene of this one….

As for the crystal meth stuff, my reaction is a big yawn. Everyone knows that in his younger days Agassi was a hard partying, “image is everything” guy who loved the nightlife and having a good time….

He was young, rich, good looking, smart, talented and famous; so to me it would be a shock if he hadn’t used drugs….

Things were thrown at him quickly and he was a multi-millionaire by the age of 18. And who among us wouldn’t have sown our wild oats and gotten into all kinds of trouble under those circumstances?….

His father sent him to Nick Bollittieri’s tennis academy when he was 13 and he was lonely, scared and away from home for the first time. He responded by growing his hair long, wearing denim, putting on earrings and taking the tennis world by storm. I was a huge fan, because it was about time someone came along and put some personality in the sport….

John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors were fading from the scene and along came this rock star, who dressed differently, had a wild haircut, wore multi-colored outfits and became a phenominon….

And all before he could legally buy a drink….

Since that time, however, he has undergone one of the most remarkable transformations I’ve ever seen: Going from an immature wild child to arguably the most unselfish, gracious, warm hearted person in sports history….

He began by starting a foundation to help underpriveledged kids in the Las Vegas area, but soon found it wasn’t doing enough; so he raised millions of dollars, including his own, to open a prep school in Las Vegas for at risk kids. This was an enormous and challenging undertaking, yet he somehow pulled it off and has made a major difference in these kids lives….

The school now has over 400 students and thriving….

In fact, the first senior class of Agassi’s school had their graduation ceremony in June, with remarkable results: Every single student graduated and every single one of them is going to college. And with the vast majority of the students being minorities, it’s probably the feel good story of the year….

I watched the graduates being interviewed and all of them were bright, articulate and eagerly looking forward to college. It was heart warming to hear of them thank Andre and say they would be the first members of their families to attend college….

Forget all the major titles and accomplishments, this is what Agassi should be most proud of….

He’s happily married to Steffi Graf, has two beautiful kids and both of them are generously giving back to help others….

I defy anyone to name an athlete who has done more to help people than Andre Agassi. Hell, name anyone in any field….

I’ve interviewed him several times and genuinely liked him. My impression was he seemed very sincere, polite, happy with his life and doesn’t have a phony bone in his body. I was very impressed and in awe of how much he’s given back….

Was it a mistake to use crystal meth and then lie to the ATP, thus avoiding a suspension? Of course….

And was it unfair to those players who missed out on money and titles Agassi won when he should have been suspended? Of course….

But it’s also refreshing to read an autobiography where someone actually tells the truth, no matter how damaging to his reputation. For once, we’re going to get a raw, honest look at a flawed person who seems to have learned from his mistakes and gone on to become a tremendous human being….

So he tried drugs 12 years ago and was a wild and troubled kid. So was I and I’m sure a lot of you went throught he same thing. Let he among us who’s not guilty cast the first stone….

Since then, however, he has done so much good and been such a great role model. And in my opinion that’s what we should be talking about….

His former coach and teacher, Bollittieri, put it best recently when asked about Agassi: “I’m proud of Andre for all he’s done in tennis, but I’m most proud of the man he’s become.”….

Here, here….

Now that it’s been reported Jamie McCourt was allegedly having an affair with her “security guard,” it seems like every instinct I had about the McCourts marraige were correct….

From the beginning, this whole relationship seemed like a phony and I had the impression the two of them couldn’t stand the sight of each other. Every time he touched her or got close, she looked like he had a contagious disease….

They seemed like clones of Bill and Hillary….

Both of them always seemed to have phony smiles on their face and the the whole marraige seemed contrived, made up and laughable. Much like Frank supposedly being independantly wealthy and able to afford the Dodgers….

The truth was that Frank didn’t have the cash necessary to purcase the Dodgers, but for some reason the Fox Group wanted him to own the team and loaned him the cash to make it happen. I hope someday an ambitious reporter unearths the real reason Fox wanted the McCourts to buy the team; even though there were allegedly better offers on the table from buyers who actually had the money….

Now that Frank has fired his wife and wants to declare sole ownership, she’s come at him with a counter suit and list of demands; which are unbelievable….

Here’s a list of what Jamie expects, according to TMZ:
- 5 star hotel accommodations
- travel expenses – Unlimited
- business dinners 5 nights per week
- business lunches 5 days per week
- making Dodger Legends available for events without charge
- access to team doctors for McCourt family members
- access to the owner’s suite for Dodger home games and non-baseball events at the stadium
- Tickets to All-Star games and playoff games — even if the Dodgers aren’t playing
- a pass to all National League games

Jamie lists her living expenses as $488,928. Per month.

Reaction: You’ve got to be kidding me. Who in the hell have “living expenses” of a half million per month? Especially when almost all of the McCourts wealth is leveraged against loans they took out to buy the team. This is an absurd demand and should be thrown out of court; after Jamie is forced to pay all court costs and lawyers fees.

Here’s more about Jamie, from the AP:

LOS ANGELES — “Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt on Wednesday filed papers opposing his wife’s demand to be reinstated as the team’s chief executive, citing insubordination and an affair she allegedly had with her bodyguard.

The documents were submitted one day after Jamie McCourt filed divorce papers seeking to regain her $2 million-a-year job.

In a filing submitted by the Dodgers that opposes her return to the team, Dodgers attorneys allege that Jamie McCourt took a trip with her bodyguard, Jeff Fuller, in early July to Israel on team business, but then headed to France for 2 1/2 weeks and billed the Dodgers for the trip. Jamie McCourt is also accused of not giving her husband any information about her assignments as chief executive and not providing the team with her schedule of public appearances.

In a declaration filed by Frank McCourt, he references Fuller as well, saying before his wife went on the trip she asked him for three things — one of which was to have Fuller be her driver.

Dodgers attorney Debra Fischer told The Associated Press that Fuller and Jamie McCourt told the team they had an affair. Fuller and Jamie McCourt were fired earlier this month.

Jamie McCourt’s attorney, Dennis Wasser, declined to comment.

Superior Court Commissioner Scott Gordon postponed the divorce hearing until Nov. 5, saying he needed to review all the documents. Neither Jamie nor Frank McCourt were in court on Wednesday.

In a declaration filed Tuesday, Jamie McCourt claims her husband plotted to boot her from the team’s front office as a way to “humiliate and ostracize” her. She said she was excluded from management decisions and had lodged a workplace harassment complaint with team attorneys.

“Frank has no right to purport to terminate me. We are co-owners of the Dodgers,” she said. “Not only has Frank publicly held us out as co-owners of the franchise, he has also admitted this fact in front of our estate planning counsel.”

Frank McCourt fired his wife last week after the Dodgers were eliminated from the playoffs by the Philadelphia Phillies.

He said the couple entered into a marital agreement in March 2004 that gave him ownership of the Dodgers. That decision was made by Jamie McCourt to insulate herself from any debts or creditor’s claims that might result from purchasing the Dodgers, documents filed by Frank McCourt’s attorneys state.

The team was losing more than $75 million a year when Frank McCourt purchased the team, and Jamie McCourt, who is an attorney, wanted to protect her real estate and other investments, the filing states.

Frank McCourt wrote that he allowed his wife to identify herself as “co-owner” for the “interests of family harmony” but her claim has damaged the Dodgers organization.

“Reports of these statements have been detrimental to the Dodgers, my other business ventures, and me personally,” Frank McCourt wrote. Her claim has “thrown an unjustified cloud over the ownership of the Dodgers.”

Jamie McCourt’s filing states she is seeking reinstatement as well as access to perks including travel by private jet, stays at five-star resorts and use of the Dodgers owners’ suite. She wants $321,000 a month in spousal support if reinstated to her former position. If not, she believes she should be paid nearly $488,000 per month.”

Reaction: Wow again. Could Jamie possibly be dumb enough to admit to the Dodgers that she was having an affair with Fuller? And if this is true, does she have any business filing a claim and demanding to be reinstated as “co-owner?” Anmd by the way, the claim the Dodgers were losing $75M a year is horses***. Much like movie studios, pro sports team cook their books to make it seem like they lose money every year; for tax and business purposes. If a team makes $100M one year and makes $50M the next, it goes on the books as a $50M loss; even though they made a $50M profit. It’s all B.S. and a lie.

I can’t wait to read Jamie and attorneys respond to these latest bombshells….

Interesting opening night in the NBA, with the Lakers receiving their championship rings and then defeating the Clippers, 99-92….

We all know Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol will play well and put up numbers, but in my opinion the difference between winning and not winning a championship will be the play of Ron Artest and Andrew Bynum….

If the two of them play well, the Lakers are going to cruise to World Championship #16. And they’ll also challenge the 1996-96 Chicago Bulls record of 72 wins in a season….

And based on last night, the two of them are ready to be major contributors….

As for Ron-Ron, he didn’t shoot the ball well, going 3-10 with 10 points, but he defended well, passed well and hustled all over the floor. There are going to be nights when the shot doesn’t fall, but there’s no such thing as an off night when it comes to defense and playing hard….

And nobody plays harder defensively than Artest….

Of course, you also have to worry about Ron-Ron losing his mind and becoming a disruption, which has happened frequently throughout his career. Hell, one time he asked for a month off during the season to promote his rap album….

I know an assistant coach in the NBA who coached Artest and has some great stories. He says there would be nights when Artest would walk in the locker room, look around and say “I’m not playing tonight” and refuse to dress….

He wouldn’t be injured, sick or have any personal issues: He just didn’t like the vibe in the room and refused to play….

Yes, that’s a concern, but I can’t imaging him pulling that s*** with the Lakers; with a Hall-of-Fame coach, a championship ring and the NBA’s best player. Unless he’s completely insane, he’ll realize this is the best situation imagineable and play hard all season….

As for Bynum, he played very well and looks like he might just be an All-Star; which he predicted during training camp….

27 and 13 are damn good numbers and Andrew was impressive running the floor, moving his feet and finishing plays. Now we all need to hold our breath and hope he doesn’t suffer another freak injury which ruins his season….

The negative was the bench, which only scored 9 points and allowed the Clips to get back in the game twice, in the second and third quarters. I know the dynamic changes when Gasol plays, but it’s still no excuse for the Bench Mob stinking up the court. They have to play better for the Lakers to repeat….

I was disappointed Adam Morrison was the only Laker not to play, because I thought he played well in the pre-season and would get some minutes when the real bullets started flying. Especially with the bench playing so poorly….

But it was a DNP-CD for Morrison last night. Hopefully he continues to work hard in practice, keep a good attitude and be ready when his time comes….

Come on, he’s a better player than Luke Walton, isn’t he?….

In the first game on TNT, the newly-acquired Big Moses was a bust, as his Cavaliers lost their home opener to the Celtics, 95-89….

The Big Krispy managed 10 points and 10 rebounds, but was glacier slow on defense and abused all night by the Celtics pick-and-roll. And the Cavs better get used to it, because every team in the league is going to pull the Big Ingrate away from the hoop and run the screen-and-roll over and over….

Offensively, he can still get the ball in the post and score, but doesn’t require a double team anymore, which eliminates the best part of his game; passing the ball out of the post….

The Cleveland offense completely stopped when he got the ball, with his teammates staring at him. And with the Celtics wisely refusing to double team, there were no open shooters….

Despite the media’s ass-kissing of the Big Moses and their glowing approval of the deal, I hated this trade for the Cavs. Their offense last season was four guys standing around watching LeBron go one-on-five. Now they have another guy clogging things up….

Since Shaq doesn’t defend anymore and ineffective offensively, it’s going to be a long season for the Cavs. Hopefully, the message they sent to LeBron by acquiring Shaq will result in King James signing a new deal….

The Big Ingrate ruined the Suns while he was there and will do more of the same in Cleveland….

I love Charles Barkley and he’s the only reason to watch “Inside the NBA” on TNT. He’s always opinionated, funny and unpredictable; which makes for some great television….

Unfortunately, Sir Charles turns into an ass-kisser when it comes to his buddy Shaq….

For years, he refused to give Kobe the credit he deserved and took shots at him any chance he got; presumeably because he didn’t want to offend the Big Moses….

Remember how he’d always predict the Lakers to lose, criticize Kobe and fawn all over everything the Big Immobile did?….

Now that it’s obvious that Shaq can’t play anymore and he’s a liability, you’d think a guy like Barkley would be the first guy to give an honest opinion….

I expect the rest of the bootlickers in the press to fawn all over Shaq, but Sir Charles should stick to his guns and be who he is….

But he was ass-kissing again last night….

Why is it that Charles never has a problem criticizing players, coaches or management, but always qualifies every opinion about his buddy?….

Whenever he’s asked his opinion about the Big Moses, he always begins with “You all know I love Shaq and this is going to be hard for me to say,” or “You know, I love Shaq as a person.”….

Barkley doesn’t do this with anybody else and he comes across as an ass-kissing houseman….

And he doesn’t even criticize Shaq after his butt-smooching intros….

About the harshest thing he says is “Shaq is still good, but not as dominant as he used to be.” Or, “Defenses don’t have to double-team him anymore, which makes it hard for the perimeter guys.”….

I don’t know what Shaq has on Sir Charles, but the Round Mound’s ass-kissing and refusal to criticize the Big Ingrate is nauseating….