NBA commissioner David Stern said that the Donaghy scandal was one “(one of the worst situations) that I have ever experienced either as a fan of the NBA, a lawyer for the NBA. or a commissioner of the NBA.” And while this betting scandal may be one of them, level-headed fans shouldn’t be worrying about the downfall of the NBA, as many have suggested.

Henry Abbott compiled a list of responses he received from many NBA insiders, and while opinions vary, it seems unanimous that you’ll still have Greg Oden playing his rookie season this fall. David Stern says that the NBA has “not exactly” looked into other refs being involved, but if referees really get 95% of their calls right, then die-hard and casual fans alike shouldn’t worry about the integrity of the game.

Although the referees draw continual ire, that 5% of mistaken calls are made in human error — not for point-shaving, and not always in situations that drastically affect the outcome of the game.

Where does the betting scandal fall, at least in recent history? The Pistons-Pacers brawl will have more seriously damaged the face of the league. Most fans don’t know the officials on a first-name basis, and not many referees have million-dollar endorsement deals with shoe companies.

The only fans who closely follow the NBA year-round surely won’t believe that Tim Donaghy is one of many felons officiating. Not to mention that Donaghy surely didn’t succeed in every attempt to shave points, and may have still made the right call more often than not.

However, Tim Donaghy will please guilty to the charges. What does that mean for the NBA, and for Donaghy?

Over 50 years ago, NBA referee Sol Levy was arrested for charges of point-shaving. The case lasted two-and-a-half years, before escaping on a technicality.

This was in the league’s first decade of existence, before the league had expanded across the country and before casual fans followed the likes of Jordan, Magic, and Bird.

While the NBA may not be at the top of its glory, if the league could survive in the beginning of its existence, it definitely won’t collapse now.