Gambling scandal rocks the NBA and sports world

 The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays are in the middle of an epic World Series that's currently tied two games a piece as Shohei Otani got lit up last night. He is human, I was beginning to think dude was an alien...he's that good of a player. The new NBA season is about a week old and with a new season comes new talent, LeBron returning for what seems like his 30th season, players stepping up like Austin Reaves who just dropped 51 points for the Lakers, and a gambling scandal so big it can bring down the league.

I'm not the guy who can't wait to yell I told you so but in this case I'll make an exception. I knew it was only a matter of time. For years, gambling's been that taboo category sports commissioners didn't want to discuss. They would say things like, 'We're aware of sports betting, we can't focus on that, all we can do is play our game.' A few years ago that all changed and now the major sports leagues are all in bed with gambling.

You cannot watch a game or a pre-game show or a post-game show or Tulsa King season 3 which my wife and I are in the middle of binge watching...without seeing a DraftKings or Fanduel, or ESPN bet or one of what seems like endless companies telling you how easy it is and how much free money they're willing to "give" you if you're willing to get down. Place your wager with us and we'll give you $200 in free bets.

My mother used to tell me that nothing in life is free. At the end of the day, free will cost you something. The college students in the US have a gambling addiction which is double the rate of the general adult population. Double! Gambling has never been so prevalent, so easy to access. Anytime of day, if you have a credit or debit card, you can get down on your favorite teams or players...literally down as in going into debt.

Just when you think it can't get any worse, of course it can. The FBI announced last week that a current NBA player, a former NBA player and a current NBA head coach were involved in several gambling investigations.

Portland Trailblazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former player Damon Jones are all facing criminal charges related to illegal gambling on NBA games and being involved in rigged poker games. This is all connected to the investigation that got former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned for life from the NBA, and there are more than 30 co-defendants accused in the investigation.

Billups and Rozier have been placed on immediate leave from their teams. Rozier's attorney issued a statement saying his client is "not a gambler." The investigation has been going on for years. One of the most egregious acts happened in March 2023 in a game between the Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans. The NBA had been alerted to unusual betting being placed on Terry Rozier's under prop bets. This is the game where Rozier faked being injured errr I mean, took himself out of the game after 9 minutes, meaning all his under prop bets would pay off.

Rozier's attorney Jim Trusty said the NBA interviewed Rozier twice. "They took his phone, downloaded everything, and, at the end of the day, they said there's nothing to see here and cleared him." 

Well, the FBI also interviewed him, and they did think there was something to see. I mean this is so bad for the NBA. The league is already dealing with LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer paying Kahwi Leonard $28 million under the table to avoid the salary cap errrr I mean, the tree planting service did right Steve? Ballmer says he got conned. You have the chosen one's son Bronny James proving just how much he belongs in the NBA with some pretty impressive stats. Two games in zero points! 

Then if you want to watch an NBA game if it's not on ESPN or NBA good luck! Trying to find certain games is like trying to find Carmen Sandiego. What a mess, I wonder how NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is going to lie errr weasel his way out of this one. The ratings are cratering and although it's not as bad as the WNBA, the NBA will be there in no time if nothing changes. I like Rozier's attorney going with the 'he's not a gambler' defense. So why did a couple of dudes show up to Rozier's house to count the winnings after dude took himself out of a game, allegedly! This is bigger than the NBA, I believe other sports leagues should be investigated as well because yes these leagues have talented players but an integrity with the audience that everything is legit. Once you lose integrity you're no longer an event but as real as a reality tv drama.