Charles Barkley Criticizes ‘Foolish’ NBA Gambling Suspects
Charles Barkley held nothing back during the Inside the NBA crew’s discussion about the gambling scandal that shook the NBA on Thursday, October 23.
“This isn’t about addiction,” he remarked during ESPN’s game night coverage. “These guys are just foolish.”
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups was arrested and charged for involvement in an illegal poker operation connected to the Mafia shortly after coaching his team to a season-opening defeat against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Miami Heat star Terry Rozier and former Cleveland Cavaliers player and assistant coach Damon Jones were also arrested in Miami as part of a related gambling investigation.
It was later disclosed that Jones, 49, allegedly shared privileged injury information about a “prominent” NBA player to facilitate illegal sports betting. Sources informed ESPN that the player in question is Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.
Rozier, 31, “was accused of alerting members of a betting ring that he would exit a game early, allowing them to bet on his prop wagers with the understanding that he would not accumulate stats,” as reported by The Athletic.
Both Rozier and Billups, 49, issued statements through their lawyers denying any legal violations.
“You can never fix basketball games,” Barkley, 62, asserted. “Never. I enjoy gambling, but the idea that Rozier, who earns $26 million, would risk information or compromise his performance for a few bets is absurd. How could he gain from exiting the game for unders? He makes $26 million.”
Barkley’s remarks were in response to cohost Kenny Smith, who had discussed gambling addiction.
“We must recognize that gambling can be an addiction,” he stated. “It’s the addiction that leads to irrational choices… gambling addiction can drive illogical decisions, irrespective of ethnicity, physical condition, or financial standing. So we need to acknowledge that.”
After calling those involved “foolish,” Smith, 60, responded, “You’re validating my point.”
“That’s an illogical mindset,” Smith added. “If you’re earning $26 million to gain $50,000, that’s irrational. You’re proving my argument. It’s [an] addiction.”
A total of 34 individuals across 11 states were arrested as part of the FBI’s gambling investigation.
“We are currently reviewing the federal indictments announced today,” the NBA stated. “Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups are being placed on immediate leave from their teams as we continue to collaborate with the appropriate authorities. We take these allegations very seriously, and the integrity of our sport remains our highest concern.”
In the past, Barkley has been candid about his own gambling habits. He revealed in a 2007 ESPN interview that he lost $10 million through gambling, including $2.5 million in a single six-hour blackjack session.
“It’s not a problem,” he explained back then. “If you’re a drug addict or an alcoholic, those are real problems. I gamble with large sums of money. As long as I can manage it, I don’t see it as a problem. Do I believe it’s a bad habit? Yes, it is. But will I stop? No, I will continue.”
