So here we are. Opening week of the NBA season and instead of talking about dunks, rivalries or who’s going to hoist the trophy in June … we’re talking about perp walks, mob ties, fixed bets and whether our beloved league is turning into an episode of “The Sopranos.” Or worse, “The Godfather Part IV” – a sequel no one asked for.

The NBA’s monumental gambling scandal didn’t come out of nowhere. It grew out of the NBA’s own arrogance — specifically, its shameless tanking and “load management” culture, where perfectly healthy star players sit out games while fans are left holding thousand-dollar tickets in a VIP-priced gambling fraud.

The league told us load management protects players and prevents injuries. Turns out what it really protects is insider bettors.

Because if nobody knows

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