Staff writer Scott Howard-Cooper and columnist Ailene Voisin are part of The Bee's coverage team at Kings training camp. Here are excerpts from Thursday's blogs. To read them in full, go to www.sacbee.com/kingsblog.
They opened the wound back up today, and it's not going to feel any better this time. The Pedowitz Report, the NBA's 14-month internal investigation headed by former federal prosecutor Lawrence Pedowitz, was released and revealed no facts to substantiate the claim by ex-referee Tim Donaghy that Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference finals between the Kings and Lakers was fixed to ensure a Los Angeles win.
The 133-page report spent eight pages on Lakers-Kings. It was highly critical of the work of game officials Dick Bavetta, Bob Delaney and Ted Bernhardt, just as Pedowitz was during a media conference call following the release of the project, but drew a line between a bad job and a fix.
It's what the league had been saying for years. Similarly, Pedowitz backed David Stern's assertions that Donaghy was the only referee to have bet on games or supply gamblers with inside information.
There were new, mostly minor, sometimes gossipy details regarding Game 6. Just no smoking gun:
• An NBA review found 15 incorrect calls or non-calls those fateful hours at Staples Center, eight favoring the Lakers and seven favoring the Kings. In the fourth quarter, the most controversial time of all, the league determined that two favored the Lakers and one favored the Kings.
• Bavetta had nine mistakes in the game, five favoring the Lakers, and none in the fourth quarter. Bernhardt had six errors, four favoring the Lakers, and one in the fourth that favored the Lakers. Delaney had four misses, two for each team, and three in the fourth. Two of those favored the Lakers, including the most heated decision: Kobe Bryant not being called for the forearm to Mike Bibby's face.
– Scott Howard-Cooper
Still seeing red
Spencer Hawes spends most of his time living in blue states – his native Washington and California – but remains staunchly Republican. He was eagerly awaiting the debate between vice presidential candidates Sarah Palin and Joe Biden but disappointed to learn that the session conflicted with the evening practice. "I can't even tape it," he said, "because we're staying in a hotel. I'm sure it will be on again later, when we get back. I'll catch it on Fox."
"I like Gov. Palin," he added. "I think she's going to do fine."
We'll check back for his scorecard later.
• For those who might be depressed about the economy, who resent the rich and famous, and right now, are particularly upset with the rich, remember this: Even millionaires can struggle beyond the arc.
In a lighthearted scene at the Kings' practice facility Thursday afternoon, after most of the players had retreated to the locker room, co-owner Gavin Maloof spent about 45 minutes "working" on his outside shot with Kings assistant (and former Indiana Pacers sharpshooter) Chuck Person. Overdressed for the occasion in worn blue jeans, black T-shirt and jogging shoes, the younger of the co-owners – sweating profusely and repeatedly pulling up his pants – missed most of his mid-range attempts, then stepped behind the line. As predicted, he was more proficient from three-point range. He tossed up a few airballs and a few almost-airballs, but he usually caught the rim.
– Ailene Voisin
