Stern is putting heat on Van Gundy with a huge fine and public demands to "cooperate" with an "investigation" by disclosing his informant. But guess who could clear things up immediately, regardless of Van Gundy's source? http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/3167168 [Van Gundy said] he had been tipped by an officiating friend with access to the league's Web site for officials ... Van Gundy has insisted that his complaints were about the process of "disseminating information" to officials — in this case, when Cuban's complaints about moving screens led, according to Van Gundy, to extra attention on Yao. Van Gundy said his complaints were not about any individual's ethics but rather the system in which officials view points of emphasis on the private NBA Web site. Open the web site, Commissioner. Show us what's been posted there. Then we'll know whether Van Gundy's source is telling the truth. And the truth is what matters, isn't it, Commissioner? Unless you'd rather not, uh, cooperate with the investigation. By the way, Commissioner, why aren't these "points of emphasis" made public as a routine matter?
I agree, but, he won't do it. I mean, nobody can even mutter something about these "protected refs". It will never happen.
Will, I caught that mention too. And they dont even have to open it up to the Public. Just get an intermediary, an impartial lawfirm to audit the site. Seems to me that would clear things up. Stern's just upset now because he got caught with his pants down. I can almost see it now, Stern's security detail deleting files off that web server. LOL
what's wrong with opening it to the public? They're not profit numbers that could cause fluctuations in stock. They should only be procedural guidelines and bullet points pertaining as to how to officiate better. It would seem like a good will gesture to curb the public's questioning of fair and impartial judging.
If nothing improper is going on there, opening it up would only show the league's constant efforts to improve the farirness of officiating, and allow fans to better understand the nuances of the game. Yeah, right.
I don't think Stern would ever open it up. AS a matter of fact, I'm sure any discriminating evidence has been wiped clean by now. If their is no cache of previous web pages, it is lost unless supeoned (sic) by a court. Our only hope of seeing it is if someone hacked it and brught the Info to the public. IMHO
VG wont cave in. What pisses me off is that Stern is being a prick becuase all he has to do is look at the website himself and see what is there or isnt there. The crowd better get behind coach tonight.....and I mean like a 5 minute standing O when he is introduced.
Stern, the best commissioner ever (or was it Rozelle?), has become a megalomaniac. I felt that way after Indy - Detroit, I feel that way with DS' public response about JVG. The player's association has a point, and Stern's actions these past months, in particular, could affect the new CBA.
He already knows what's there. I'm sure whatever investigation there would be into whether JVG was telling the truth is already done, if it had to be done at all. All they care about now is making sure those who broke the code of silence are punished. Btw, I think you're right. Van Gundy's so damn stubborn, he'll probably get banned from the league before he gives up his source.
Excellent point. Precisely what I meant about "shining light in dark corners." Too often, we give the power structure in society, not just in sports, but everywhere a free ride when it comes to secrecy. That said, wouldn't it be nice to live in a society where being a whistle blower is respected and supported enough by fellow citizens, that a "source" wouldn't prefer to stay in the shadows and would instead be in front of a microphone at ESPN or CNN, etc. to tell his story and the truth as he knows it. Truly speaking, this is what Van Gundy's friend should have done instead of just telling Van Gundy. Van Gundy has a lot more to lose by speaking up than his friend and yet he had the gumption and courage to do so. And for that we should do all in our power to start putting the David Sterns and NBA's of the world that we aren't going to sit in silence while good people suffer for their dirty little secrets.
... and become the village TATTLE TELLER??? I don't think so. The big boss man of where I work once said: "I know there's rumors going around about people. If you have some rumors, come to me to let me know who started these rumors and be rewarded..." S*CK IT, boss. S*CK IT HARD, Emperor Stern. .o||o.
He already knows what's there. I'm sure whatever investigation there would be into whether JVG was telling the truth is already done, if it had to be done at all. All they care about now is making sure those who broke the code of silence are punished. Btw, I think you're right. Van Gundy's so damn stubborn, he'll probably get banned from the league before he gives up his source.
it wont matter stern will have wiped anything remote incriminating on the website by now. in fact he'd probably would have them replaced by: cuban is at it again, when will he learn we dont listen to him? GO JVG!
Well, SwoLy-D, I think that is something that can only be determined case by case. Suppose your boss is a Van Gundy. I'd trust going to him. You should have an idea of the character and past actions of the person your reporting to. There may be no other recourse than to speak out publicly. No one ever said it would not mean sacrifice. If your first reaction is to think of someone who "outs" bad policies or people as a TATTLE TALE then you've been intimidated by that label from childhood. Righting wrongs should be a noble thing in society not frowned upon or denegrated.
Obviously, the message has been deleted, the hard drives wiped and opening the web site will do no good at this point. In addition, JVG doesn't need to name his source because phone records have been obtained, wires have been tapped, ISPs hacked, emails read. A list of refs that have logged in during the time in question has been obtained and web server logs show which messages were read by whom. Any refs not working the playoffs will be scrutinized first, but the league won't "limit their options". I'm sure any refusing the polygraph will be suspended, or worse. It will be fairly easy for us to determine who the leak is, simply look at who is not officiating games for the league next year - probably due to "cancer". Then there is always the possibility that there was a second ref, behind the laptop, on the wireless network...
