Dick Bavetta

[Getting Traded]

I would guess that PLENTY of sportswriters have asked that question and he didn't offer any information that was worth including in their articles. I highly doubt he'll provide more insight to a random basketball fan.

Maybe start by doing some research into the articles that were written at that time, and going back and asking those sportswriters their thoughts on the subject.

You know when it happened, people didn't realize Jordan pushed off. You really couldn't tell by watching it on TV. Only when videos of it came out later that were played in slow motion did people realize it. Jordan did it very deftly and quickly, as if he had practiced it. I don't recall any sportswriters writing about it. But I didn't read everything on it, and the Internet was in its infancy then, so it wasn't like today when we see and hear everything instantly. I would have to go back, but why do that when all you need to do is ask him.

Sure, I also doubt he will respond. But you never know. Sometimes with the passing of time, people open up. I'm an historian, seriously, Moe. I've written seven books. The truth often is not revealed until many years after the fact, and often by people who covered up the truth at the time. However, if Bavetta was actually fixing games, he certainly would not reveal it, at least not until he was on his death bed, just like E. Howard Hunt revealed he participated in JFK's assassination just before he died. But I would like to hear what Bavetta would say about it now, having retired.

To be honest, I believe Donaghy, who had no reason to lie. Maybe that's why some Jazz fans think it's inappropriate to ask him, because deep down, they believe it too, and they don't want to face the fact that the NBA stole the one real chance Utah had for an NBA championship. It's a bitter pill to swallow, and would make us question a lot more things about the sport we love.

 

[moevillini]

My point was that they haven't written about it because there's nothing to tell.

I'm not sure what you hope to accomplish anyhow. Do you think Bavetta's going to say "Yes I intentionally missed the call because David Stern ordered me to ensure the Bulls win."?
And if that's the response, well then what?

Or he'll say, "I didn't see it like that at all" and so then what? That would settle it for you?

Maybe there wasn't much written about it at the time, but there's certainly been a lot of press about this in the last few years.

 

[RandyForRubio]

Eenie, do you have Aspergers?

 

[Cappy_Smurf]

You know when it happened, people didn't realize Jordan pushed off. You really couldn't tell by watching it on TV. Only when videos of it came out later that were played in slow motion did people realize it. Jordan did it very deftly and quickly, as if he had practiced it. I don't recall any sportswriters writing about it. But I didn't read everything on it, and the Internet was in its infancy then, so it wasn't like today when we see and hear everything instantly. I would have to go back, but why do that when all you need to do is ask him.

Sure, I also doubt he will respond. But you never know. Sometimes with the passing of time, people open up. I'm an historian, seriously, Moe. I've written seven books. The truth often is not revealed until many years after the fact, and often by people who covered up the truth at the time. However, if Bavetta was actually fixing games, he certainly would not reveal it, at least not until he was on his death bed, just like E. Howard Hunt revealed he participated in JFK's assassination just before he died. But I would like to hear what Bavetta would say about it now, having retired.

To be honest, I believe Donaghy, who had no reason to lie. Maybe that's why some Jazz fans think it's inappropriate to ask him, because deep down, they believe it too, and they don't want to face the fact that the NBA stole the one real chance Utah had for an NBA championship. It's a bitter pill to swallow, and would make us question a lot more things about the sport we love.

That play was more flop than foul. Jordan extended his hand, but there's no way he had enough force to knock Russell over. Russell was attempting to draw an offensive foul, and the refs didn't bite. Buy some glasses and watch it again, then get back to us.

 

[Jaymz]

That play was more flop than foul. Jordan extended his hand, but there's no way he had enough force to knock Russell over. Russell was attempting to draw an offensive foul, and the refs didn't bite. Buy some glasses and watch it again, then get back to us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRCTp57LQro
He doe sseem to have his hip on Russels butt for a little more room. Not sure if it was a push off, or he just wanted to cop a feel.

 

[Getting Traded]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRCTp57LQro
He doe sseem to have his hip on Russels butt for a little more room. Not sure if it was a push off, or he just wanted to cop a feel.

Anyone who says it wasn't a blatant push off is definitely in denial. And looking at the strip of Malone again, I think Carolinajazz may be right about it being a foul. But to me, the Jordan shove of Russell is blatant and undeniable.

 

[Getting Traded]

Eenie, do you have Aspergers?

I haven't been diagnosed. Is that your diagnosis?

 

[Getting Traded]

My point was that they haven't written about it because there's nothing to tell.

I'm not sure what you hope to accomplish anyhow. Do you think Bavetta's going to say "Yes I intentionally missed the call because David Stern ordered me to ensure the Bulls win."?
And if that's the response, well then what?

Or he'll say, "I didn't see it like that at all" and so then what? That would settle it for you?

Maybe there wasn't much written about it at the time, but there's certainly been a lot of press about this in the last few years.

I'm just curious as to what he would say. Would it settle the fix controversy that Donaghy alleged? No, because there were other NBA series that were possibly fixed that were even more blatant.

 

[Getting Traded]

The article below from 2008 by Tim Buckley pretty much covers it all. The Jazz were robbed and Bavetta admitted making mistakes. Can we attribute anything more to it? You be the judge.

https://www.deseretnews.com/article/700235973/Utah-Jazz-Sloan-long-ago-moved-on-from-1998.html?pg=all

 

[Getting Traded]

I think another reason that I bring this up is because of the recent law suit won by Jordan against a now defunct grocery chain. The billionaire Jordan, Mister high and mighty, sued and won $8.9 million because they used his name in an ad without his permission. What an *******. The fact that he is a cheater and represents all I despise about the capitalist system -- a system whose only rule is the maximization of profits at the "expense of others," to win at any and all costs -- and that this is an example of what I despise, is probably what motivated me. There is no benevolence in the heart of this man when it comes to his super-inflated ego.

 

[fishonjazz]

I think another reason that I bring this up is because of the recent law suit won by Jordan against a now defunct grocery chain. The billionaire Jordan, Mister high and mighty, sued and won $8.9 million because they used his name in an ad without his permission. What an *******. The fact that he is a cheater and represents all I despise about the capitalist system -- a system whose only rule is the maximization of profits at the "expense of others," to win at any and all costs -- and that this is an example of what I despise, is probably what motivated me. There is no benevolence in the heart of this man when it comes to his super-inflated ego.

I must say that was a dick move

 

[moevillini]

well there are plenty of bigger dicks you could be complaining about...

(good thing I caught my typo, originally I typed "bugger ducks")

 

[Harambe]

I don't know how many of you still wonder about Dick Bavetta's failure to call the push off by Jordan of Bryon Russell like I do, but I have located his home address in Florida thru an Internet search. He summers in upstate NY, however. In any case, I plan to write him in the fall and ask him why he didn't call the foul on Jordan though he was standing about 10 feet away and in position to see it.

As many of you know, Tim Doneghy, in his book, Personal Foul, accused Bavetta of fixing games, suggesting he was under orders from David Stern to play favorites like Jordan and the Lakers team. If this is true, then he surely will either ignore my letter or plead innocent by saying he simply missed the call.

What are your thoughts?

You won't get a reply. If you do, I encourage you to publish it... but you won't.

I hope I'm wrong, but he's got everything to lose by replying.

 

[Getting Traded]

I must say that was a dick move

You'd never see Magic or Bird doing stuff like that ... they have too much class for that. For all of his God-given talent, Jordan is a dick.

 

[Getting Traded]

well there are plenty of bigger dicks you could be complaining about...

(good thing I caught my typo, originally I typed "bugger ducks")

Yes, I agree. But he's not 20-something anymore. He should be a bit more magnanimous. Sure, you got guys like Rodman, but Jordan's success has gone to his head. He thinks he's God now.

 

[Getting Traded]

You won't get a reply. If you do, I encourage you to publish it... but you won't.

I hope I'm wrong, but he's got everything to lose by replying.

You're probably right, but even if he says he missed the call, it will be interesting to see exactly what he says, because if his answer is not carefully written, it might unconsciously drop something incriminating.

 

[moevillini]

You're probably right, but even if he says he missed the call, it will be interesting to see exactly what he says, because if his answer is not carefully written, it might unconsciously drop something incriminating.

How long do you anticipate you might have to wait for a response? And what if you get no response or even any acknowledgement that he received your inquiry?

How much do you think you'll continue to pursue this?

 

[moevillini]

Yes, I agree. But he's not 20-something anymore. He should be a bit more magnanimous. Sure, you got guys like Rodman, but Jordan's success has gone to his head. He thinks he's God now.

he's donating it all to Chicago area charities that focus on children's welfare and impoverished neighborhoods - I'm not sure how much more magnanimous he can get.

I mean, yes, he's extremely wealthy and probably should not have made an issue out of this, I agree.

at any rate, the company is bankrupt - and while I have no idea how this sort of thing works - I'm not sure he'll ever see any of the money in the award

 

[Getting Traded]

he's donating it all to Chicago area charities that focus on children's welfare and impoverished neighborhoods - I'm not sure how much more magnanimous he can get.

I mean, yes, he's extremely wealthy and probably should not have made an issue out of this, I agree.

at any rate, the company is bankrupt - and while I have no idea how this sort of thing works - I'm not sure he'll ever see any of the money in the award

Saveway bought out the company and will assume the debt, I'm sure. And I don't plan to pursue the push-off matter any further than simply to write one letter. Just curious. Like I said, I'm an historian. Truth often comes out many years later. But I don't admire Jordan for doing this -- his name is worth millions, give me a break.

 

[Gameface]

A little lesson on trademarks.

If you don't enforce your trademark you lose it. You know a grocery store is using your likeness in an ad and don't do anything about it and you lose your billion dollar trademark rights to your own image. Next thing you know Microsoft is using Jordan's image without his permission and there's nothing he can do about it.

EM is a huge dumbass.

Yeah EM when Dal asks if you're real it's because you're curious and he's never seen a curious person before. Holy **** how clueless can you be?