There are several controversies that seem to surround the NBA. At least, in the past. Fans might have heard of the 1984 NBA Finals scandal. It occurred during the reign of former NBA commissioner David Stern. This is considered a blemish in the somewhat clean reputation that the league has projected over the years.
That said, one might certainly be interested in knowing what happened in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Older fans will remember this showcased a rivalry between two great franchises, the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were the undisputed best players of the generation at the time.
Let us take a deeper look at the context behind this controversy and how these events transpired. While they were certainly several decades ago, the history of the league shouldn’t be forgotten.
Did David Stern and the referee work together to fix Game 6 of the 1984 NBA Finals?
Former NBA legend Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics won Game 5 and took a 3-2 lead in the series heading into Game 6. Essentially, a death grip that puts the other team under the pressure of elimination for the last two games of the series.
Something very unusual occurred during Game 6. The game was considered very controversial as the Los Anges Lakers were given multiple foul calls and allowed to shoot free throws. This happened so much that it tilted the game and the Lakers forced a Game 7.
David Stern, who was in charge at the time, told a fan that the NBA desperately needed a 7th game in the Finals in order to generate more revenue. Despite the brutal honesty in this statement, it truly implicated someone coming from the position of the NBA Commissioner. Celtics star Larry Bird discussed the potential foul play that he witnessed in Game 6 and the statement made by David Stern.
“When the commissioner makes a statement like that to a fan, you know it’s going to be tough. When Stern makes a statement like that, things are going to happen. You just don’t make statements like that and not expect anything out of it. He’s the commissioner and he shouldn’t be saying anything like that. The NBA wanted a seventh game because they wanted to make more money and they got their wish.”
Bird went on to further reiterate his point, “There is no reason for me to lie. He said it. He’s a man and he’ll live up to it. He may say he said it in jest. But I’m out there trying to make a living and win a championship.”
In any case, this controversy didn’t change the outcome for the Celtics, who managed to win this series in a dramatic Game 7.
