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Part 3: John Salley Predicts 76ers Win 2024 NBA Finals: Joel Embiid Gives Me Same Feeling as Shaq
Part 1: John Salley on His Former Pistons Team Setting Record for 28 Consecutive Losses in 1 Season
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Vlad spoke with John Salley about former NBA official Tim Donaghy suggesting that the NBA gave Kobe Bryant preferential treatment, instructing referees to help him score more points. He cited a playoff series between Bryant and the Suns' Raja Bell, who was known as the "Kobe stopper," stating that referees were shown video of past games where fouls on Bell were not called and were told to ensure this didn't happen again. This was part of the league's bid for higher-scoring games and more action from star players. Referees had a financial incentive to comply as higher grades on their officiating could result in them officiating other playoff games. John Salley stressed that viewers come to see the stars play, not the referees, and confirmed that certain players got advantages with the referees.
