The NBA always seems to have conspiracy theories surrounding its game.
Many people have even accused the games of being fixed.
While that all seems crazy, there is one example where a former NBA player thinks it happened.
In the 2012 playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics were headed to a Game 7.
The winner would take on the Miami Heat in the next round.
Evan Turner, who was with the 76ers at the time, had an interesting viewpoint of that game.
“I’m gonna be honest I was on that team and I wouldn’t even watch the Sixers play the Heat. If we get into this game you know how much money the NBA is going to lose?”
“We gotta win by 15 to win by 1,” he said on Gils Arena Show via Legion Hoops.
Evan Turner acknowledges the NBA heavily favors entertaining matchups in the Finals:
“I remember we’re about to play a Game 7 in 2012. LeBron and the Heat are waiting, would you rather watch the Sixers or Celtics play the Heat? I’m gonna be honest I was on that team and I… pic.twitter.com/ZYcZvv8QBm
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 27, 2023
Having a LeBron James-led Heat team take on the Celtics would have been considered a better series for most fans.
But even though Turner makes a case for it, the NBA does not rig games.
Just look at this past season.
The NBA could have had the Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers meet in the finals.
Instead, it was the Heat and Denver Nuggets.
Even though the ratings were not as high, those were the two teams that deserved to be there.
It may be hard for some players or fans to believe, but the NBA wants to see the most deserving teams win.
That is something that will not change.
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