[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

There have been countless articles both in the print and broadcast mediums concerning the betting/game fixing/point shaving scandal in the NBA. I desparetly hope that none if it is true. I have had the good fortune to officiate for far more years (36 years through 2006-07 and still counting) than I ever expected, and to have achieved a level of success that well over 95% of all officials never get to acheive, it is very saddening to read that this kind of thing could actually happen in our profession.

I personally know one NBA official and two WNBA officials and everybody on this forum knows that scrutiny that today's NBA officials undergo (having each and every play they make a yes or no decision analyzed). My own personal belief is that it is extremely difficult for a three-man officiating crew could alter the outcome of a game at any level let alone one official in a crew. I hope that the accusations are false and whether they are true or not, I hope that our profession will whether the storm and being even stronger for it.

I think that we should let the investigation take its course and reserve judgement until then.

MTD, Sr.