Despite David Stern saying that Tim Donaghy's recent bombshell accusation that the NBA tells refs to fix games is completely bogus, it doesn't really matter what Stern thinks.

Nope, all that matters is what the fans think. And you know what, they don't agree with Stern.

The New York Daily News recently ran an online poll asking fans if they thought the NBA indeed fixed games through refs - and 91% said yes.

Now, I realize this is the Daily News, which I make fun of constantly. And their online poll isn't the equivalent of a Harris or Gallup poll. But it still speaks volumes.

I myself am an NBA fan, but ever since Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals between the Lakers and Kings, I've always felt that the league has influenced games. That was only reinforced in my mind during the 2007 playoffs, when Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw got suspended for taking a step onto the floor during that fight against the Spurs. And it only got stronger when several Celtics players during this year's playoffs DIDN'T get the same treatment as Stoudemire and Diaw when they did the exact same thing.

You can also make the argument that we're seeing it yet again in the Finals. The Lakers couldn't buy a call in Games 1 and 2, while the Celtics marched to the free throw line. Then all of a sudden Game 3 happened and it was the exact reverse.

What's bad is that I don't think the same thing about other sports. I don't worry that the teams playing in the World Series or the Super Bowl are only there because the umps or refs helped them get there. But for the NBA, I'm much less sure. Even worse, I wind up questioning a team's championship. Did San Antonio really win last year's NBA Championship? Or did those gift suspensions win the NBA Championship?

And let's be honest, basketball doesn't need this. They aren't exactly struggling as much as the NHL, but they aren't exactly doing well. It doesn't really help if everyone thinks the games are fixed as well.

So Stern can say whatever he wants. It's not going to change my mind, nor a lot of other fans' minds. The NBA has fixed games before and will certainly do it again. Now the only question is, how much longer will I remain a fan? My answer: Not long.