This is the credibility of the game on trial, with whispers of gambling, fixing and mobbed-up bookies.

This is the scandal that could relegate a Michael Vick dogfight into the minor leagues if it turns out to be widespread.

This is nasty stuff — the news that Tim Donaghy, a former NBA referee who called games for the past 13 years, is the focus of an FBI investigation into betting on the games he worked and possibly point-shaving.

Donaghy, 40, has not been charged with anything. But NBA Commissioner David Stern, in a strongly worded statement, has singled out Donaghy and said "no amount of effort, time or personnel is being spared to assist in this investigation, to bring to justice an individual who has betrayed the most sacred trust in professional sports, and to take the necessary steps to protect against this ever happening again."

The words "sacred trust" struck me. That's what we have with our games. We believe that — unlike pro wrestling or movies — they are real. Winners aren't predetermined. A referee will make mistakes, but they aren't malicious and they don't favor anyone.

But Donaghy has called that trust into question, allegedly to relieve his gambling debts. It will be impossible to watch the NBA the same way for a long time, but simple for fans and players to scream they got "Donaghy-ed" on every controversial call.

If I were a bookie trying to affect the score of a basketball game, I'd first try to get to a star player. A referee would be my second choice.

Basketball calls are so split-second and so subjective—charge or block? three seconds? — that a crooked referee could definitely alter the context of any game.

I have liked all the officials I've met and interviewed. All of them have struck me as entirely scrupulous and well-meaning. It's a shame they will all be tarred with this brush, just like all journalists are tarred when one of our kind does something unethical.

The NBA, like NASCAR, has a host of conspiracy theorists who believe it is the league's goal to let the marquee teams and stars advance furthest in the playoffs every season. Those conspiracy theorists are celebrating Christmas in July.

It's odd that Donaghy was one of the officials the night in 2004 when a fight between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons spilled into the stands. That was one of the biggest stains in NBA history.