Shaquille O’Neal mentioned 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 “silly.”
Kenny Smith mentioned the scenario is “tremendous unlucky.”
Someday after the “Contained in 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 have 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 have 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 simply ashamed that they put themselves and put their household and put the NBA on this place,” O’Neal mentioned throughout Thursday’s broadcast. “Everyone knows the foundations. Everyone knows the letter of the regulation. And it’s simply unlucky — , harmless until confirmed responsible, however often when the FBI has one thing, they have you ever.”
He added: “I do know Chauncey. I do know Damon very effectively, performed with Damon. … I’m ashamed that these guys will put their households and their careers in jeopardy. There’s an outdated saying within the hood, all cash ain’t good cash. So when you’re making $9 million, like, how rather more do you want? Particularly if you get caught, you are able to do jail time, lose your profession, put a foul picture on your self or your loved ones or on the NBA.”
Smith identified that “playing is an dependancy which might make you make illogical choices,” however Barkley interjected his opinion that dependancy had nothing to do with the choice Jones and Rozier made to assist others make fraudulent bets.
“This ain’t bought nothing to do with dependancy. These dudes are silly,” Barkley mentioned. “Why are they silly? You certainly not are you able to repair basketball video games. On no account. … Like, Rozier makes $26 million. Him betting, giving individuals info or taking himself out of video games — how a lot is he going to profit taking himself out the sport to get unders?”
Barkley added: “You’ll be able to’t repair ball video games. Like I mentioned, that is separate from Chauncey, however the notion that guys are making all this cash and giving info — come on, man, cease that. That bought nothing to do with dependancy. That’s simply whole stupidity on these two dudes components.”
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 have been positioned on fast depart, the league introduced Thursday.
Billups’ lawyer issued a press release Thursday night time strongly denying the allegations in opposition to his shopper.
“Anybody who is aware of Chauncey Billups is aware of he’s a person of integrity,” lawyer Chris Heywood mentioned. “Males of integrity don’t cheat and defraud others.”
Rozier’s lawyer mentioned in a press release Thursday that his shopper will struggle the allegations.
“Terry shouldn’t be a gambler, however he’s not afraid of a struggle,” Jim Trusty mentioned, “and he seems to be ahead to profitable this struggle.”
Jones performed three seasons with LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005 to 2008 and was an assistant coach through 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.
