The National Basketball League is not looking hard enough into the gambling ring scandal, and because of this, the NBA could be dragged even further into the gambling rings tied to the mafia.
Portland Trail Blazers coach and former Detroit Pistons legend Chauncey Billups, former Boston Celtic and Charlotte Hornet Terry Rozier, who’s also a current Point Guard for the Miami Heat, and former Cleveland Cavalier Damon Jones, and current assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, have all been arrested for illegal gambling and participating in rigged poker games.
More than 30 people have been involved, which suggests that the NBA’s oversight is insufficient.
“Since it’s ongoing and has been mentioned in articles, it’s not just the NBA. So yes, there are more people involved,” said NBA Superfan Brady Kaiser, a De Pere High School Freshman.
Damon Jones obtained information about LeBron James, who is currently cleared, but things may change.
“No, LeBron is just a big asset for the NBA,” Kaiser said. “It will be hard for him to get dragged into anything.”
The NBA cares about protecting its brand and people who help promote it, rather than actually addressing the real problem. The NBA is going to want to clear its image because of how big an organization it is.
“It’s not just the NBA,” said NBA fan Grant Allen, a freshman. “Other leagues have also been involved in gambling; it’s just the NBA was the first to get caught.”
Rozier was cleared by the FBI of gambling in 2023. Also in 2023, Rozier allegedly faked an injury to help the gambling team by claiming he had “foot discomfort,” which ultimately resulted in a $200,000 payout. Rozier was caught because he told a co-defendant.
Sometimes I wonder if some of them just want to throw their career away.
Ironically, the NBA puts gambling ads everywhere, and now players are starting to gamble. If players can bet on games, it destroys all the conflict going into the game that night.
Thirteen of 30 teams broadcast locally on the FanDuel Sports Network. It’s like they are promoting gambling to the players without knowing.
“Some players are so excited when they see that they can make extra money, so they are willing to potentially throw their career away,” Allen says.
Free Agent Malik Beasley is being investigated for gambling allegations from the 2023-24 season. Rozier and Billups have a court date on Dec 8th. Beasley played for the Detroit Pistons in the 24-25 season.
Before the news of the gambling probe broke in June, the Pistons were going to offer Beasley a three-year, $42 million contract.
The NBA can either be honest now or get exposed later.
