Don't Trust Ric Bucher

There have been allegations lately from former NBA referee Tim Donaghy claiming that game 6 of the 2002 western conference finals was fixed. In that game the Lakers shot twenty-something free throws in the fourth quarter. ESPN analyst Michael Wilbon, of Pardon The Interruption, said that he was not going to immediately judge Donaghy because he remembers writing a column about that game that pointed out how ridiculous the refereeing was. This column ran long before the referee scandal started. On Tuesday's PTI, Wilbon said he still stands by his opinion that in that game 6 he witnessed the, "worst playoff officiating I have ever seen, ever."

On Tuesday, ESPN analyst Ric Bucher defended the Lakers by saying that when he first heard the allegations he found them laughable. Bucher then stated that, current Boston Celtic and former Sacramento King, Scott Pollard, whom played in the now infamous game, said he found the officiating curious. Bucher then said that Pollard's comments were taken out of context. Bucher proceeded to rationalized in a way that favored the Lakers.

What really got on my nerves was that Bucher didn't point out that he is good friends with Kobe Bryant. About one year ago when the whole "Kobe wants a trade" stories were going around it was Bucher that would break stories first because of his relationship with the Laker star.

So, forgive me if I don't take Bucher's opinion on this subject seriously. They guy has a vested interest in politicising in favor of the Lakers and his friend Bryant. Bucher's popularity and job security with ESPN revolve around the fact that he will be the guy to break a story about Bryant or be the first analyst to cite "a Lakers insider" in a story.