Poll: Fans Believe NBA Is Rigged, and Lakers-Celtics Was a Set Up

A survey released exclusively to Advertising Age yesterday reveals that -- shocker -- the NBA has a serious image problem. According to the poll, out of 907 participants, 37% responded that they believe it is "somewhat or very likely" that the NBA alters the outcomes of its games. That number goes up to 41% when the question is answered by "casual" or "avid" fans. Oh, and how about that Lakers-Celtics Finals match-up? 26% believe the league had a hand in making sure it ended up that way.

To be fair, 907 people isn't exactly the largest sample size in the world, and when you combine the low number of participants with the fact that 46% of the respondents weren't even aware of the Tim Donaghy scandal, you can see how easy it will be for the league to dismiss the results. But they shouldn't.

Whether this particular poll is an accurate reading or not, the fact remains that there are plenty of people out there who believe the NBA is involved with fixing games, either by mandate from the league office or by crooked officials. Diehard fans will continue to follow the league regardless of these allegations, especially until some evidence appears that's a little more than a criminal trying to lighten his jail sentence. But to casual fans, and people who are 50-50 about watching the NBA in the first place, the league is fixed. And until the NBA provides much more transparency and accountability where its officials are concerned, that's the image that the general public is going to continue to see.

Latest NBA Photos

Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers smiles during practice in El Segundo, Calif., Saturday, June 14, 2008. The Celtics face the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday in Game 5 of the NBA basketball finals. (AP Photo/Mark Avery)

Boston Celtics Paul Pierce talks to the media before practice for the NBA Finals basketball championship in El Segundo, California June 14, 2008. The Boston Celtics lead the best-of-seven game series against the Los Angeles Lakers 3-1. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, left, works with Pau Gasol, of Spain, during practice in El Segundo, Calif., Saturday, June 14, 2008. The Lakers and the Boston Celtics meet in Game 5 of the NBA basketball finals Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark Avery)

Los Angeles Lakers', from left, Kobe Bryant, Vladimir Radmanovic, and head coach Phil Jackson, look on during basketball practice in El Segundo, Calif., Saturday, June 14, 2008. The Lakers face the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals Sunday.(AP Photo/Mark Avery)

Los Angeles Lakers' Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, left, works with Pau Gasol, right, of Spain, and Andrew Bynum, during practice in El Segundo, Calif., Saturday, June 14, 2008. The Lakers play the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA basketball finals Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark Avery)

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson talks to the media after practice for the NBA Finals basketball championship in El Segundo, California, June 14, 2008. The Boston Celtics lead the best-of-seven game series against the Los Angeles Lakers 3-1. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Boston Celtics Paul Pierce talks to the media before practice for the NBA Finals basketball championship in El Segundo, California, June 14, 2008. The Boston Celtics lead the best-of-seven game series against the Los Angeles Lakers 3-1. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Boston Celtics Kevin Garnett talks to the media before practice for the NBA Finals basketball championship in El Segundo, California June 14, 2008. The Boston Celtics lead the best-of-seven game series against the Los Angeles Lakers 3-1. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers talks to the media before practice for the NBA Finals basketball championship in El Segundo, California June 14, 2008. The Boston Celtics lead the best-of-seven game series against the Los Angeles Lakers 3-1. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes (UNITED STATES)

Reuters