Chicago Tribune: Referee Eddie Rush called Michael Jordan by phone to play match-maker for a love affiar

JUST-MING · Retired Number Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 43984

Stern had, but missed, plenty of warning signs
Fraternization between players and referees isn't new
By Rick Morrissey, Chicago Tribune

Karla Knafel filed a lawsuit in 2002 against Michael Jordan, her former lover, and it was filed with the kinds of juicy revalations that make news cycles dizzy.

One of the details that made a brief appearance and then was largely forgotten is now the most interesting, at least in light of the officiating scandal that is threatening to swallow the NBA.

The lawsuit describes how Jordan and Knafel met:

"In the spring of 1989, Karla was working as a vocalist touring in a band that performed at a hotel in Indianapolis. After Karla's performace, Eddie Rush, an NBA referee, approached her and complimented her about her singing talent. During their conversation, Karla and Mr. Rush talked about the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan, who were in town to play the Indianaoplis Pacers.

"Mr. Rush told Karla that he personally knew Jordan. To prove it, he telephoned Jordan at Jordan's Indianapolis hotel room and introduced him to Karla over the phone. Karla and Jordan then chatted for a while."

Back in 2002, I wrote about how unstelling it was that a referee was so shummy with an NBA player that he could pick up the phone and, perhaps unknowingly, help launch an affiar. What else might a referee be able to do?

I contacted the NBA, which said it would look into the matter. A spokesman talked about the importance of limited contact between referees and playersoff the court. And then the story went away.

Except it didn't really go away, at least not in the broader sense of what's transpiring as the league wades through the allegations of former ref Tim Donaghy. Besides charging that two officials affected the outcome of a 2002 playoff game, he says that many referees are pals with general managers, coahces and players.

The Jordan-Knafel story involving Ed F. Rush would seem to back up Donaghy's contention that fraternization between refs and players happens. It might even be the norm.

One of the absolutes in sports is that the people who officiate the games have to be above reproach. You might be of the opinion that they can't see straight, but you're supposed to believe their failure to see properly is a function of poor eyesight, not gambling debts, bribery or pressure from the league office. Or their friendship with players.

As Commissioner David Stern correctly points out, the ugly allegations are coming from a man who is trying to save what's left of his skin.

But Stern knows he has a terrible situation on his hands, one that questions the integrity of his game - integrity being the most imporant thing of all.

At the heart of Donaghy's allegations about the 2002 Lakers-Kings game is the assertion that the NBA wanted the higher-profile Lakers to win. In the fourth quarter of Game 6 of the Western Conference finals, the Lakers shot 27 free throws, the Kings nine. The referees in that game were Bob Delaney, Ted Bernhard and Dick Bavetta. Federal investigators reportedly have been asking other referees about Bavetta's on-court decisions.

The NBA always has struck me as overly chummy. From top to bottom, there's a shared sense of hipness.

Would the NBA tell offications to let the Lakers beat the Kings, as Donaghy alleges? Would officials take it upon themselves to extend a series for the good of the league? Are the referees gambling on NBA games? If referees are, would it be such a leap to ask if players and coaches are gambling on games too?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you're the NBA's worst nightmare. And you're not alone.

LakerLanny · Retired Number Joined: 24 Oct 2001 Posts: 47580

Lakers 0-4 with Ed F Rush in the playoffs, Boston 5-1

He was part of the atrocious Game 2 Fix.

Look for this asshat in Game 6, I can almost guarantee it.
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Love, Laker Lanny

Trey · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:21 am Post subject:

Personal Bias or Preferential Treatment? come on... no way..

that is one place Jordan was probably smarter than Kobe.. he probably kissed the referees ass *and got Nike to kick them checks

JUST-MING · Retired Number Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 43984

The best way to protect Jordan's legacy against Bryant is to have his buddy referee the basketball game!

LakerLanny · Retired Number Joined: 24 Oct 2001 Posts: 47580

http://mediaoutrage.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/michael-jordan-and-karla-knafel.jpg

Eddie probably took the picture.
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Love, Laker Lanny

Apricot · Starting Rotation Joined: 25 Feb 2008 Posts: 184

No. 17 · Star Player Joined: 29 Dec 2007 Posts: 7040 Location: L.A

LAII · Star Player Joined: 25 Feb 2008 Posts: 1934

Ed F or Ed T Rush?

Basketball Fan · Franchise Player Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 24761

This is hardly news its common knowledge around Nap-town except for the Ed Rush part that I had no cluse.

JUST-MING · Retired Number Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 43984

Socks · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 5:36 pm Post subject:

I wish some of my colleagues would pimp me out like that, sheesh.

re4ee · Franchise Player Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 12237

I WANT :ROLLEYES: BACK!!!
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"Ev'rybody's got somethin' to hide, 'cept for me and my monkey"
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patmcfar8 · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 9:41 am Post subject:

Back when I used to play in a lot of tournaments and leagues I had a good friend that reffed a lot of my games. That bastard would always screw me! Some friend.

LakersMD · Star Player Joined: 27 Jun 2003 Posts: 8014

LakerLanny · Retired Number Joined: 24 Oct 2001 Posts: 47580

Lakers 71-72 · Star Player Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 5059

TNLakersFanInLA · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 1:24 pm Post subject: