Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Kenny Smith Told Derek Fisher To His Face That The 2002 Championship Was Rigged And The Sacramento Kings Would've Won If It Wasn't For The Refs

Originally posted on Fadeaway World | By Orlando Silva | Last updated 8/16/22

Even though he's paired up with Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley on TNT's Inside the NBA, Kenny Smith has learned how to get his own space not only on this incredible show. The 2x NBA champion has left a big mark with his interesting remarks, his outspoken personality, and his ease to troll others.

Not only Shaq, Chuck and Ernie Johnson have been 'attacked' by Smith; he doesn't hesitate to go after people when he needs to make his point clear. During an old edition of NBA TV's Open Court, Smith and a panel of former players that included Chris Webber, Kevin McHale, Greg Anthony, and Derek Fisher, Smith and co. were discussing the best 2000s NBA team that never won a title.

Whenever this conversation happens, the Sacramento Kings are always mentioned. The Californians had something great going on at the beginning of the 2000s, but the Los Angeles Lakers regularly ruined their chances to become world champions. The 2002 Western Conference Finals remains one of the most controversial ones, as many people believed the Kings were done wrongly by refs in Game 6.

Talking to Derek Fisher, Smith claimed that if the refs did their job properly, the Kings would have won that game, that series and the NBA championship (2:03)

"This guy's team [Fisher's Lakers], if there wasn't a dishonest referee, there might be a different champion. This guy's team was incredible..." Smith said.

Fisher had the chance to respond, saying that one game doesn't define everything else.

"I agree with the fact that they may have been the best team to not win a ring in the 2000s, but I don't agree with one game changing the series," he retorted.

"But that one game they were up, they were up in the series," Smith added.

After that, Chris Webber cooled things off, saying that they could discuss that all they wanted, but the fact is that the Lakers won and the Kings didn't. They had a great chance in 2002 and questionable officiating ruined their chances to make it to the Finals, leaving the door opened for the Lakers, who didn't hesitate and dominated Sacramento on the way to their third consecutive NBA championship.

This article first appeared on Fadeaway World and was syndicated with permission.

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