NBA Will No Longer Keep Score

Jun 11, 2008

Stunning response to new Donaghy gambling allegations 

"It's a big step but we have to do it," says Stern

Barkley surprised: "Most refs only bet the ponies"

New York - Update: In response to the shocking news that convicted referee Tim Donaghy has told federal investigators that other officials had influenced the outcome of NBA playoff games in 2002 and 2005 Commissioner David Stern announced that beginning with the 2008-09 season the league will no longer keep score of their games.

"I am shocked, shocked to find that even more gambling than we first suspected or announced is going on," said Stern.

"Apparently people actually bet money on the outcome of our games," Stern explained. "They even bet on how many points are scored, and on the margin of victory. This is very disappointing to learn.

"The Commissioner has to act. Commencing next season the National Basketball Association will no longer keep score. It's a big step but we have to do it. Gambling has no place in professional sports." 

Louie 'Loose Lips,' a prominent Atlantic City odds-maker who agreed to speak to eTrueSports on condition that his last name be withheld, said the new ban on keeping score would have no effect "whatsoever" on betting on NBA games.

"Gamblers are gonna do what they're gonna do," Mr. 'Loose Lips' said, predicting that the "action" would transfer to betting on the movement of the game's time clock.

"Whatta they gonna do, stop keeping time? No one would know when the games were over. The television people would never stand for that." 

Charles Barkley, a former all-star and current TNT analyst, expressed surprise that referees had been implicated in gambling  on basketball.

"Most refs," Barkley said, "bet the ponies."

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