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Part 5: Tim Donaghy on Getting Revenge on Allen Iverson After He Threatened to Kill Ref
Part 3: Tim Donaghy Describes Betting on NBA Games He Would Referee
Part 1: Tim Donaghy on Becoming an NBA Referee, Making $300K a Year
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Tim Donaghy has claimed that the NBA once favored Kobe Bryant, guiding officials to call fouls against his defenders to allow for higher-scoring games. He recalled a playoff series with the Phoenix Suns, where the NBA specifically instructed referees to monitor closely any foul plays against Kobe committed by Raja Bell, who prided himself a 'Kobe stopper.' The apparent favoritism towards Kobe did not bother the referee as he saw it as following the instructions of an employer. Their rationale, according to Tim, was ensuring the game remained attractive to audiences, with high-scoring and popular players like Kobe Bryant or LeBron James flying up and down the floor. He also mentioned benefiting from the said arrangement by wagering on Kobe, having received inside information.
