NBA – Is the draft rigged? Shaq’s disturbing testimony: “David Stern told me that”.

Par Guillaume Kagni | Journaliste sportif

The fact that the Mavericks are set to inherit the first pick in the upcoming draft has reawakened some rumors that have long been swirling around the NBA microcosm. Some believe the league is rigging the lottery, and Shaquille O’Neal’s testimony won’t help matters.

Often, when the result surprises fans, they don’t hesitate to place strong suspicions on the authenticity of the draft. For example, in 2023, when the Spurs were lucky enough to pick up Victor Wembanyama with the first pick, some found it strange that the franchise could profit from the Frenchman after decades of profiting from David Robinson and Tim Duncan.

Similarly, this season, when the Mavericks were the lucky lottery winners, the majority of comments on social networks went into conspiracy. After trading Luka Doncic to Los Angeles, the biggest market on the planet, many believe that Adam Silver did Nico Harrison a favor by offering him Cooper Flagg.

Shaquille O’Neal talks about possible league cheating!

While legends should defend the league to ensure its integrity, LeBron James has repeatedly expressed his doubts about the draft process, and in particular his arrival in Cleveland in 2003, in his home state. In the latest episode of his podcast, Shaquille O’Neal doesn’t quell suspicions with this rather crazy anecdote.

In 1992, the draft was in June, so I met David Stern as early as March. He said to me, “I know you’re looking forward to joining the NBA, do you want to play in a hot city, or a cold city?” He asked me. I said I wanted it to be warm, and we smiled at each other. A few days later, Minnesota and Charlotte found themselves on the lottery podium, but it was Orlando who was No. 1.

Was Shaquille O’Neal the beneficiary of David Stern’s shenanigans? While he says he has no opinion on the matter, he understands why today’s fans believe that the NBA can be rigged to improve ratings and create stories. Indeed, the reactions to this anecdote all point in that direction.

@Maverick_SZN : 90’s and 00’s NBA was about as rigged as WWE lmao

@PerSources : David Stern he needed story lines to grow the NBA. basketball alone wasn’t going to cut it.

@FergiesRightRef : Wait till you hear about the 2016 finals…