Despite a bit of documentation that might indicate out to lunch officiating was hardly excluded to referee Tim Donaghy, NBA commissioner David Stern today sought to assure the public that Donaghy’s alleged activities represented “an isolated incident.”

My personal favorite moment of this remarkable press conference occurred when Stern responded thusly to the suggestion that perhaps the Association, y’know, fucked up in allowing Donaghy to continue working.

“I’m surprised, but I guess no more surprised than the head of the FBI, head of CIA when rogue employees turn on their country despite the best investigative procedures in the country,” Stern replied.

I think we might have a new slogan for the league that’s even hotter than “I Love This Game” : “The NBA : Just As Vulnerable As Homeland Security.”