Terry Rozier & Others Arrested in Alleged Gambling Cases

[Roy H.]

Apparently KG was at at least one of the illegal poker games:

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/kevin-garnett-role-gambling-scandal-181200768.html

No idea what his role was.  He could be a victim, an accomplice, or neither.

I think the question becomes, in these shady games, are these NBA players/coach accomplice to it, or are they merely present (and possibly victims)? I assume Billups was an accomplice since he was arrested, so he was probably aware of the cheating behind closed door and was probably complicit to it. With other players, it could very well that they want big names to attract big (rich) players for the drift. I can see a scenario where they either paid, or invite KG to be part of the poker games without him knowing of the drift.

I also think there are two different types of gambling/cheating issues at hand. Rozier seems like he was straight up throwing games so people betting on him ends up winning. There is also the cheating poker games where they attract people to gamble and cheat their way for big earnings. Being accused of the poker games I would say doesn't automatically put them in the same boat as throwing games.

Either way there is no way that these big leagues couldn't see this coming. They are making bed with these betting companies so something is going to give. I am okay with sports gambling, but I don't think athletes and the league should be partnering with these sports betting companies, at least for the optics.

Not in the same boat, perhaps, but partnering with the mob to scam people out of millions of dollars seems like something that should end a person's NBA career.

[Amonkey]

Apparently KG was at at least one of the illegal poker games:

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/kevin-garnett-role-gambling-scandal-181200768.html

No idea what his role was.  He could be a victim, an accomplice, or neither.

I think the question becomes, in these shady games, are these NBA players/coach accomplice to it, or are they merely present (and possibly victims)? I assume Billups was an accomplice since he was arrested, so he was probably aware of the cheating behind closed door and was probably complicit to it. With other players, it could very well that they want big names to attract big (rich) players for the drift. I can see a scenario where they either paid, or invite KG to be part of the poker games without him knowing of the drift.

I also think there are two different types of gambling/cheating issues at hand. Rozier seems like he was straight up throwing games so people betting on him ends up winning. There is also the cheating poker games where they attract people to gamble and cheat their way for big earnings. Being accused of the poker games I would say doesn't automatically put them in the same boat as throwing games.

Either way there is no way that these big leagues couldn't see this coming. They are making bed with these betting companies so something is going to give. I am okay with sports gambling, but I don't think athletes and the league should be partnering with these sports betting companies, at least for the optics.

Not in the same boat, perhaps, but partnering with the mob to scam people out of millions of dollars seems like something that should end a person's NBA career.

Oh yes, I completely agree! That also gives way to my Splitter as the first Brazilian Head Coach . I mean more in the sense of the integrity of the game (NBA). In which one hurts NBA's credibility, Rozier's case seems to be much worse.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Apparently KG was at at least one of the illegal poker games:

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/kevin-garnett-role-gambling-scandal-181200768.html

No idea what his role was.  He could be a victim, an accomplice, or neither.

I think the question becomes, in these shady games, are these NBA players/coach accomplice to it, or are they merely present (and possibly victims)? I assume Billups was an accomplice since he was arrested, so he was probably aware of the cheating behind closed door and was probably complicit to it. With other players, it could very well that they want big names to attract big (rich) players for the drift. I can see a scenario where they either paid, or invite KG to be part of the poker games without him knowing of the drift.

I also think there are two different types of gambling/cheating issues at hand. Rozier seems like he was straight up throwing games so people betting on him ends up winning. There is also the cheating poker games where they attract people to gamble and cheat their way for big earnings. Being accused of the poker games I would say doesn't automatically put them in the same boat as throwing games.

Either way there is no way that these big leagues couldn't see this coming. They are making bed with these betting companies so something is going to give. I am okay with sports gambling, but I don't think athletes and the league should be partnering with these sports betting companies, at least for the optics.

Not in the same boat, perhaps, but partnering with the mob to scam people out of millions of dollars seems like something that should end a person's NBA career.

The reporter source:


Pablo Torre 👀
@PabloTorre
🚨➕ A source close to Kevin Garnett tells
@pablofindsout
 that Garnett initially thought he was going to an ?afterparty? ? not a poker game. And that he chose to leave the 2019 poker game, which was in LA, early.

Per source, Garnett has not been contacted by federal authorities.

[libermaniac]

I don?t get the illegal gambling poker ring thing? Aren?t all non-licensed poker games illegal? So why is it worse to cheat while doing something illegal in the first place? I get how it?s morally worse but why is the cheating being reported as the crime? Am I missing something?

Playing poker for money is absolutely not illegal.  That is why you can have a poker night with friends and family without issue.  An illegal poker game is one in which an unlicensed purveyor takes a cut.  So if the house gets a percentage it is illegal unless they are licensed (like casinos in some states).  What Billups is accused of is much much worse.  It is straight up theft. 

Molly's Game is a pretty solid movie that is based on the life of Molly Bloom.  She started off running a perfectly legal game (in which she made money through tips), but then she started taking the cut and ended up going to jail.  Jessica Chastain plays Molly (Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera among others co-star).  It is a pretty fascinating look at the poker industry and the movie is well done and worth watching.

Thanks for the clarification. I never play poker so just assumed it was all illegal - but who?s going to enforce a poker night with friends?

[BringToughnessBack]

Imagine making over 150million and be caught up in this? I hope he is innocent. Maybe the crime family threatened him. I am hoping it is something. If not, enjoy jail.

[Moranis]

I don?t get the illegal gambling poker ring thing? Aren?t all non-licensed poker games illegal? So why is it worse to cheat while doing something illegal in the first place? I get how it?s morally worse but why is the cheating being reported as the crime? Am I missing something?

Playing poker for money is absolutely not illegal.  That is why you can have a poker night with friends and family without issue.  An illegal poker game is one in which an unlicensed purveyor takes a cut.  So if the house gets a percentage it is illegal unless they are licensed (like casinos in some states).  What Billups is accused of is much much worse.  It is straight up theft. 

Molly's Game is a pretty solid movie that is based on the life of Molly Bloom.  She started off running a perfectly legal game (in which she made money through tips), but then she started taking the cut and ended up going to jail.  Jessica Chastain plays Molly (Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera among others co-star).  It is a pretty fascinating look at the poker industry and the movie is well done and worth watching.

Thanks for the clarification. I never play poker so just assumed it was all illegal - but who?s going to enforce a poker night with friends?

perfectly legal so no enforcement needed.  Molly's Game is basically what this was but with actors instead of athletes and far less stealing.  Some cheating (not by Molly) and definite money laundering going on (and one of the regulars was running a ponzi scheme).  Michael Cera's character is allegedly supposed to be based on Tobey Maguire.   

[greg683x]

Imagine making over 150million and be caught up in this? I hope he is innocent. Maybe the crime family threatened him. I am hoping it is something. If not, enjoy jail.

Am I the only one surprised to read that mafia crime families still exist in this capacity???  I know organized crime is still out there but this just seems like some good fellas type stuff

[ozgod]

Imagine making over 150million and be caught up in this? I hope he is innocent. Maybe the crime family threatened him. I am hoping it is something. If not, enjoy jail.

Am I the only one surprised to read that mafia crime families still exist in this capacity???  I know organized crime is still out there but this just seems like some good fellas type stuff

IDK it seems to be right up their alley to me 

[ozgod]

I don't like Chauncey Billups being placed on leave.

The crimes he is accused of have nothing to do with basketball (poker) and it is not even clear he has done anything wrong. It just an accusation at this point.

This is punishment before guilt.

It's usually done a) if the allegations are serious and the evidence against the accused is strong; b) if the accused continuing to do their job becomes difficult due to the accusations against them and c) so the accused can focus solely on their legal defense rather than worrying about coaching or playing. Also, the NBA being a private league, has its own rules that govern how to impose discipline on people accused of a crime. Many athletes have been suspended or put on leave for crimes that have nothing to do with their sport like rape, domestic violence, theft, robbery, etc. it's just how that individual league or team chooses to handle things.

That said, organizations need to balance the need to suspend based on what I mentioned above, with the due process rights of the accused, unless it is something they all signed up for, which appears to be in the case of the CBA. Here is the section of the 2023 CBA regarding criminal conduct:

(click to enlarge)


Not sure if this covers coaches.