Shaquille O’Neal stated he’s “ashamed” of the individuals concerned within the playing scandal that rocked the NBA on Thursday.
Charles Barkley known as two of the people concerned within the matter “stupid.”
Kenny Smith stated the state of affairs is “super unfortunate.”
At some point after the “Inside the NBA” crew made its ESPN debut, the three analysts, in addition to host Ernie Johnson, had an enormous story to debate that had little to do with the precise recreation of basketball.
On Thursday morning, federal prosecutors unsealed two indictments that outlined separate schemes to rig sports activities bets and poker video games. Greater than 30 individuals had been arrested, together with former Clippers participant and present Portland head coach Chauncey Billups, who was charged with collaborating in a conspiracy to repair high-stakes card video games run by Mafia households.
Additionally arrested had been Miami Warmth guard Terry Rozier, who’s accused of being a part of a scheme to offer non-public insider NBA info to assist others revenue from on-line bets, and retired participant Damon Jones, who has been charged with participating in each schemes.
“All these guys knew what was at stake, and I’m just ashamed that they put themselves and put their family and put the NBA in this position,” O’Neal stated throughout Thursday’s broadcast. “We all know the rules. We all know the letter of the law. And it’s just unfortunate — you know, innocent till proven guilty, but usually when the FBI has something, they have you.”
He added: “I know Chauncey. I know Damon very well, played with Damon. … I’m ashamed that those guys will put their families and their careers in jeopardy. There’s an old saying in the hood, all money ain’t good money. So if you’re making $9 million, like, how much more do you need? Especially if you know you get caught, you can do jail time, lose your career, put a bad image on yourself or your family or on the NBA.”
Smith identified that “gambling is an addiction which could make you make illogical decisions,” however Barkley interjected his opinion that habit had nothing to do with the choice Jones and Rozier made to assist others make fraudulent bets.
“This ain’t got nothing to do with addiction. These dudes are stupid,” Barkley stated. “Why are they stupid? You under no circumstances can you fix basketball games. Under no circumstances. … Like, Rozier makes $26 million. Him betting, giving people information or taking himself out of games — how much is he going to benefit taking himself out the game to get unders?”
Barkley added: “You can’t fix ball games. Like I said, this is separate from Chauncey, but the notion that guys are making all this money and giving information — come on, man, stop that. That got nothing to do with addiction. That’s just total stupidity on these two dudes parts.”
Billups — a five-time All-Star who was the 2004 NBA Finals MVP as a member of the Detroit Pistons and is in his fifth season as Portland’s coach — and 10-year NBA veteran Rozier had been positioned on rapid depart, the league introduced Thursday.
Billups’ lawyer issued an announcement Thursday evening strongly denying the allegations towards his consumer.
“Anyone who knows Chauncey Billups knows he is a man of integrity,” lawyer Chris Heywood stated. “Men of integrity do not cheat and defraud others.”
Rozier’s lawyer stated in an announcement Thursday that his consumer will struggle the allegations.
“Terry is not a gambler, but he is not afraid of a fight,” Jim Trusty stated, “and he looks forward to winning this fight.”
Jones performed three seasons with LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005 to 2008 and was an assistant coach throughout the Lakers star‘s second stint in Cleveland. In one of many indictments, prosecutors allege Jones was an unofficial coach with the Lakers from 2022 to 2023 when he used inside info for sports activities betting.
