It should be a five. . .but it's really a four and sliding into three territory. David Stern got what he wanted- to have this story die quickly. But a ref going to the big house for conspiracy charges that go dangerously close to gambling issues screams from the mountains "THE WOODS ARE BURNING!" The NBA is, at present, the worst product of the four major professional sports. For me, the NBA officiating has to (for better or worse, right or wrong) answer some more questions and have less-questionable playoffs before I come back.

The sentencing of Donaghy isn't as big of a story as it probably should be. The Donaghy thing was a big deal during last season, but with the Celtics-Lakers Finals, the draft, the shady moving of the Sonics from Seattle to OKC (their rumored new name is the Thunder, but it won't be officially announced until tomorrow), and the US winning Olympic gold, I think most (non-Phonenix) fans have already moved past it.

I still want the truth and my boycott will continue until I get it...

This is a story the NBA wishes would go away and die, because it makes it all but impossible to stick to the "rogue criminal" story.

There's too much muck and too much doubt around NBA officiating now, whether you're a fan, player or gambler