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By Art Vandalet, March 8, 2010 4:49 pm

What's next for Allen Iverson?

NBA sources report that Allen Iverson is in deeper trouble than was previously thought.   It is rumored that Iverson is currently struggling with gambling and alcohol issues.  Which isn’t too surprising, given the recent turmoil that he has been facing.  Iverson left the 76ers early this year to spend time with his 4-year-old daughter, who has an undisclosed illness.  The same day the announcement was made that he would be leaving, his wife filed for divorce, demanding full custody of their five children.

After many years as one of the leading players in the NBA, the past few years have been rough for Iverson.  Continue reading 'Allen Iverson Done For Good?'»

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By Art Vandalet, December 9, 2009 5:08 pm

The final draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup happened this weekend.  All the teams have been placed in groups that will go up against each other in June,  182 days away, during the world cup.  These are the groups:

Group A:  South Africa, Uruguay, Mexico, France

Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, Korea Republic, Greece

Group C: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia

Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana

Group E: Denmark, Netherlands, Japan, Cameroon

Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia

Group G: Brazil, Korea DPR, Cote d’Ivoire, Portugal

Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile

Rivalries are already flaring as teams get set to come up against each other.  England’s Sun Newspaper spelled out its feelings on how Group C turned out on their front page:

England

Algeria

Slovenia

Yanks

But that kind of a cocky attitude is what became their downfall in Germany 2006.  News reports are saying that group G is going to be the hardest, or the group of death, as some call it.  Next hardest group would be Group D.  Multiple reactions have been publicized in the last few days showing how come countries are relaxing and feeling confident about the draw, while others have just begun to pray for their lives.   South Africa, also, has been praised for its organization and handling of the events this weekend.  It should be a great tournament this year.

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By Art Vandalet, December 9, 2009 12:21 pm

Tim Donaghy made a mess. The NBA referee’s gambling addiction hurt a family, a career, and a reputation. Like Shoeless Joe Jackson, Pete Rose, and Ben Johnson, Donaghy’s infamy will be widespread and possibly long lasting in sports history.

The throwing of major sports games for personal gain troubles fans who, watching for entertainment, expect fair play. People don’t follow sports for the scandal, they watch for the talent. Donaghy violated the trust of NBA fans when, as an official, he bet on NBA games.

In his new book, “Personal Foul,” however, Donaghy claims the infamy for more than himself.

Donaghy claims that he didn’t fix any games because he didn’t have to. His argument is that he simply used his knowledge of NBA politics to guess at the outcomes of games. The insider knowledge of the relationships between and tendencies of the different coaches, players, and referees lead Donaghy to an unheard of 70-80 percent success rate.

Donaghy got in deep. He almost had his kneecaps broken at one point by a prisoner that may have been associated with the mob. By the time it was spiraling out of control, the mob, the FBI, the NBA, and federal prosecutors were involved.

The implications for the NBA are the biggest issue at hand though. If Donaghy’s claims are true, the NBA has a few problems to work out. This book reveals a serious fault in their credibility as a fair and straight forward organization. The assertion that NBA games do not unfold on a level playing field, is enough to make any fan indignant, if not angry.

Clearly, Donaghy shouldn’t have bet on anything associated with the NBA. But he did. The point he makes in his book is that the inner workings of the NBA made it easy. The assertion that NBA referees are not honest brokers has profound resonance and may lead to some changes in NBA policy and politics.