The New York Knicks were allegedly involved in a point-shaving scandal back in the 1980’s according to a new book coming out which references 
FBI files. Apparently, three members of the Knicks were shaving points as a favor to their cocaine supplier, but did not receive any money for it. The FBI has confirmed the authenticity of the documents cited by the book. Here is a slice of what was going on between the players and their supplier.
FBI files. Apparently, three members of the Knicks were shaving points as a favor to their cocaine supplier, but did not receive any money for it. The FBI has confirmed the authenticity of the documents cited by the book. Here is a slice of what was going on between the players and their supplier.
An FBI informant told the bureau, Tuohy writes, that the drug dealer increased the size of his wagering from $300 per game to $10,000 per game during March 1982 and that a vast majority of his bets during that time frame were successful. The unnamed dealer, identified as “one of the largest dealers on the East Coast,” was allegedly receiving “inside player information not known to the general public” from unnamed members of the Knicks. At least once, the dealer was informed ahead of time that a player was not going to play in a particular game.
Apparently, a game between the Knicks and San Antonio Spus was one of the alleged fixed games by Knicks' players (via Point Forward). Since they would bet against themselves to lose, the final score was 114-91 in favor of the Spurs back on March 16, 1982.
“Source stated that to his knowledge, none of the players receive any money for the tip, but simply do it as a courtesy to their dealer. One such tip was the Knicks-Bullets game in New York about two (2) weeks ago. Another game was the Knicks versus San Antonio last Tuesday, which was good. The type of tips are not regarding point shaving but rather key players not playing. The latest tip was on the Knicks game on March 23, 1982 which was the only one that did not work out.”
Micheal Ray Richardson, who was the Knicks leading scorer that season, denies the allegations brought forward by this book.
We all know there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes of the NBA.
It seems amazing that none of this has come out till now, even though drug use by players was widely known back then. An FBI investigation that continued for years never materialized because of a lack of physical evidence and confessions.
Somehow, the NBA was able to cover up this betting scandal even though they had to have known about it. It leaves one to wonder just how many of these kinds of cases the league has swept under the rug over the years.
