Stern probably shouldn't have said exactly that, but I get his point.

If somebody outright asked me a question regarding the integrity of what I oversee without a shred of any real evidence to even suggest it in front of a large portion of my customer base, I'd be pretty livid too. Really ****ty of Rome to take it there.

From the transcript, it looked like Stern got Rome's goat.

Has anyone ever asked Stern directly about that one official that basically equals an automatic loss for the Mavs when he calls their games?

That's the kind of question that needs to be put to him.

Has the NBA ever looked into that? What did it find? If not, why not? Does that not raise a red flag?

Why didn't Rome just say, " what do you have to say to the fans out there who believe the draft lottery was a conspiracy theory."

Rome is not amused by your shenanigans.

Stern and Caliendo were both jerks on those clips

For those saying to just televise the ping pong balls, do you really think that's how it works??

The actual lottery that isn't seen is anti climatic because you start with the winning team, then you keep doing number combos until you get the third team. Everything after that is by record.

I suppose they could broadcast a recording of it after the main broadcast, but people still wouldn't buy that it is legit

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For those saying to just televise the ping pong balls, do you really think that's how it works??

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That's how it should work

I made a joke that it wasn't complicated. Apparently, it is to some of you.

Allow cameras in there. That's it. ESPN might broadcast it live, they used to. Other news organizations will be there.

They film high school football coaches calling heads/tails to decide playoffs. They film the draw for FIFA soccer events.

I don't think the draft is fixed. But when you shun transparency and you've been busted before, you open yourself up for this criticism.

Rome is an idiot.

But you cannot defend Stern here. He sounds like a 12 year old. He's supposed to be respected lawyer and running a multi-billion industry?

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But when you shun transparency and you've been busted before, you open yourself up for this criticism.

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But when they did it publicly everyone cried conspiracy with the Knicks won for Ewing.

No-win situation

See, the call that Wade got tonight is what makes people mad about the NBA.

Just a bizzarre foul call. Wade not touched. Doesn't even act like it. Defensive player actually step aside to let him pass.

I'd be curious what Stern would say if you questioned him about that call. I get that basketball is fast and officiating is tough. But does anyone think it's actually THAT tough? Is there an easier no call to make?

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I'd be curious what Stern would say if you questioned him about that call.

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He would probably say it was a poor call and no one would be able to get 100% correct. Training will be done and they will talk to the refs about why things like that are called.

That was the cold envelope theory. Pretty silly.

It can be a win-win situation. Just televise the damn thing.

The lunatic fringe will always find some crazy minutiae to fit their theory. But then it would restricted to small minority.

You wouldn't have the general public talking about it.

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He would probably say it was a poor call and no one would be able to get 100% correct. Training will be done and they will talk to the refs about why things like that are called.

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You think he'd say even that?

I don't think so, even though that doesn't explain that call.

Look these officials CLEARLY want to be stars (to many draw attention to themselves). Put them in front of the mics.

I just don't understand how you can get that wrong.

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You wouldn't have the general public talking about it.

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I don't think most of the intelligent general public thinks there is a conspiracy.

Most of the general public is probably unaware of the issue. Most fans who care about the draft seem to be unwilling to outright claim conspiracy, but already have doubts about the integrity of the league (refs busted for gambling, suspicious foul trends, superstar treatment). Barkley predicted a month ahead of time that NO would win the lottery... you can say what you want about Barkley, but it's not a good sign when the most prominent NBA commentator thinks (and says) that there is a conspiracy.

Stern says and does nothing to address the issues that worry the league's core fans.

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Barkley predicted a month ahead of time that NO would win the lottery... you can say what you want about Barkley, but it's not a good sign when the most prominent NBA commentator thinks (and says) that there is a conspiracy.

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Predicting the winner and saying there is a conspiracy are two WAYYYYY different things.

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You know, I go back to Patrick Ewing, so I believe in the conspiracy theories.

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-Charles Barkley

Fair enough.