Shaquille O’Neal ‘Ashamed’ After FBI Arrests Chauncey Billups & Terry Rozier Over Illegal Gambling

The FBI arrested Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier for their alleged involvement in illegal poker rings and helping bettors.

Shaquille O’Neal ‘Ashamed’ After FBI Arrests Chauncey Billups & Terry Rozier Over Illegal Gambling

Shaquille O'Neal admonishes Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups (Image via FirstSportz)

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The NBA was shaken up earlier when news trickled in that the FBI had arrested Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier over an alleged illegal poker ring and gambling.

FBI Director Kash Patel mentioned in their press conference that this was the culmination of an investigation spanning quite some time. He revealed that these operations of illegal betting and gambling had been going on for years.

Over 30 people were arrested across the country, with Billups and Rozier being the most high-profile names. Along with them, the FBI arrested members of the La Cosa Nostra crime family for running the poker ring in which the Trail Blazers head coach was a ‘front’.

Shams Charania reported, while on Inside the NBA, that Chauncey Billups used to draw in high roller players for this poker ring, and would even pass on information to bettors.

In Terry Rozier’s case, it seems the FBI had enough information to arrest him even though the NBA cleared the guard recently. Hearing all this, 4-time champion Shaquille O’Neal had this reaction:

I don’t want to sit up here like I’m some perfect guy… I’m ashamed that those guys would put their families and their careers in jeopardy… If you are making $9 million… how much more do you need?

Shaquille O’Neal said on Inside the NBA

The Hall of Famer revealed that everyone associated with the NBA knows the pitfalls of illegal activities. That is why he could not understand why anyone making millions would go to this extent to ruin their careers, their lives, and the league.

NBA tried to throw investigation into Terry Rozier under the rug

Chauncey Billups was never under the NBA’s microscope, as they did not have a clue what he was doing for the Italian crime families. Shams Charania revealed that as a head coach, he had access to information about players and teams more than anyone.

For instance, he used a yet to become public information about LeBron James‘ absence from a game to help bettors place bets on the Milwaukee Bucks that night.

The NBA did not have an idea this was going on. However, they did know about Terry Rozier’s situation, and Brian Windhorst believes the league put a lid on that investigation.

The sportsbooks caught the irregular betting on Terry Rozier the day it happened… The sportsbooks caught it and told the NBA right away. Rozier didn’t play the rest of the season, and he had faked the injury. So, it wasn’t cause of the injury. The NBA pulled him.

Brian Windhorst said on The Rich Eisen Show

According to these revelations, it appears the NBA attempted to make an example out of Jontay Porter, but not Rozier. Now, it appears that the FBI had a significant amount of information, including details about how Rozier received $ 200,000 in kickbacks from his actions.

Stephen A. Smith believes FBI arrest of Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier is Donald Trump’s revenge on NBA

When news about Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier‘s arrests spread across the sports landscape, one of the first to discuss it was Stephen A. Smith on First Take.

Stephen A. Smith and President Donald Trump
Stephen A. Smith and President Donald Trump (Image via Hoop Hall/Dinstint News/X)

Trump is coming. He’s coming… Remember, Trump has a long history with sports… Anybody that has seen his reactions from the sports leagues and the positions that people have taken, they are not surprised at what’s going on today… This is just the tip of the iceberg.

Stephen A. Smith said

The analyst believes President Donald Trump has made it evident he is going after sports leagues that have been at odds with him over the years. First, it was his response to Bad Bunny‘s upcoming Super Bowl halftime show.

Smith believes it is now the NBA’s turn, and pretty soon, he might have the WNBA and other leagues in his crosshairs. As absurd as this opinion might be, the NBA is now in a bit of a pickle.

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