You seriously think the games are fixed?
 

I know quite a few people who just know that sporting events are fixed. And when you look at the comments on articles about games, plenty of people say it's all fixed. The Warriors lost games 4 and 5 against Houston because Steph et al threw it. And last night, Houston laid down in the second half so the series could go to game 7. All so the networks could make more money, of course.

These people actually believe this. When I challenge them, they look at me like some poor little child who still believes in Santa. Their eyes say, "How cute, you sweet little cherub who knows nothing of the ways of the world." Or perhaps they're saying, "You stupid idiot, don't you know anything?" When I bring up the fact that the Warriors went 16-1 in the playoffs last year, they just shrug and say, "Well..." and walk away. But they still believe.

How can they actually believe this? This isn't 1919 when the "Black Sox" players were making less than the peanut vendor. Steph makes over $80 million a year, including endorsements. What are the bookies offering him and KD and Klay? Some magical thing that would make a super villain weak in the knees? If the super stars like Lebron want world domination, it's too late. They already have it.

How do you explain this? I guess you can't. But George Bush did knock down the twin towers all by himself. Right?

+1 The NBA was cheated.

My pal and I were having some beers and watching a YouTube video on "greatest sports screw ups" or some such title.

He kept saying "See, that's point shaving" although the plays looked like silly screw ups (e.g., a defensive lineman grabs a fumble and runs the wrong way for a "touchdown")

There has to be cheating here and there but on the grand scheme it's too complicated to pull off even if the agreement of players was present.

There is no way there is organized cheating. Someone would talk.

Maybe not "fixed", but there are likely massaged finishes.

Take a certain win by Alonso for Renault.

I would have dismissed the idea until it became irrefutable by me.

Had to look it up on Wiki but I can see as very plausible.

Also, how many people involved? As few as two?

There were three in the know with the Clinton/Lewinski thing and that info could not be held tight. (Neil DeGrasse Tyson mentioned this when rebutting the moon landing hoaxers)

The flaw in that logic is that we don't know what we don't know. That is, I expect that Presidents have had affairs that never are known, except by those who were there.

Logically speaking, it is also a flaw to compare the size of events. The moon landing involved many people (even if you consider the effort was a ruse). Whereas the Bill/Monica involved (initially) only 2 people.

So, just as some games are perhaps too big to fix via conspiracy, others are not.

Oh, and Neil DeGrasse Tyson is a poser. Are his degrees honorary?

I have no argument because of your first sentence.

Tyson's credentials appear legit although he is windy. Almost like he is singing a song. I still like him.

Here is Dawkins owning Tyson kinda. 1:20 in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRitr8RYsh4

How else do you explain refs calling penalties on only one team?

A certain recent hockey game had a player slashed to the face with blood running down his nose and the refs didn't see it?

The team with penalties broke the rules.

The refs missed it.

Once the strike zone was superimposed in the MLB games, umpire strike zone call bee-otching dropped off.

Spend some time in pool halls. You'll soon realize that any game played by man can be rigged. I do mean any game.

I am with you. I just don't think it's conspiracy level.

I think the idea that every single miss is a fix is far fetched.

I also think the idea that none of it is ever a fix is far fetched.

I think the NBA wants to see leBron vs. Steph in the final. The refs seem to be calling the game tighter on the celts. I hope the celts pull through!!!!!

Wasn't there something with Peyton Manning's last game and a replay review call made the wrong way? Or was that on the line where it could have been either way?

There are certainly incidents that allow for conspiracy to not be absolutely refuted beyond reasonable doubt.

The scary thing about the one with Piquet Jr. and Renault is there is no way I would have believed that particular incident was real. Even when the news broke it still was not something I believed. It took a few years of observation.

My view of F1 since then has been colored, I am more open to the idea that such things can and do happen.

Danica winning the Daytona 500 pole? Fixed.

There were three cars that day that were a level beyond the rest of the field.

It is odd how the big media story wins Daytona 500 pole.

Danica, person of interest that year.

There are several other Daytona 500 poles that are quite suspect.

The more money involved, the greater the chances of shenanigans.

We are talking about a lot of dough, so yeah, I think so. Easiest way to control things would be through the officiating. Some of the calls that don't get made. You let the star on one team have a few no calls on fouls, or hit them hard early, totally change the complexion of the game.

Unfortunately, not up to me, but I would have given Danica the pole.

Unfortunately, not.

Players make lots of money. But how much money do refs make?

Also sports betting is now legal so...