Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith Confront NBA Gambling Scandal on ESPN
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Let alone the biggest story in sports NBAThere was an FBI gambling investigation announced Thursday, which included the arrests of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA guard Damon Jones.
During ESPN’s “Inside the NBA,” Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barclay The situation was discussed, but it resulted in some heat between Smith and Barkley.
Smith began by confronting his protracted situation.
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Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups speaks with Mark O. after his arrest hearing on federal gambling charges on October 23, 2025 in Portland, Oregon, US. Hatfield walks out of the US courthouse. (Reuters/John Rudoff)
“We look at the players involved and the people involved, we’re surprised when you have access and you’re at the top of the game, so whether it’s a coach or a player or at the top of the game, you have access to millions of dollars in this league. So, it’s amazing that they put themselves in that position. Until proven innocent,” he said.
Smith’s next point was Barkley, who was clearly frustrated at the desk.
“I think the other part is you have to understand that gambling is an addiction, so being addicted to it makes you make irrational decisions,” Smith continued. “… the FBI The director (Kash Patel) said, There is a man who lost $1.8 million. I mean he has a lot of money, so he is addicted to it. The ‘fish’ they talked about bringing. So, gambling is an addiction that makes you make irrational decisions regardless of your ethnic background, your physical background, your financial status. So, let’s understand it.
“I disagree with the NBA dropping the ball. It’s an ongoing investigation. There’s no way that the FBI or the police, anybody, is going to say, ‘Oh, this is what we’re doing.’ The element of surprise always makes it so that they cannot overestimate the information they receive.
As Smith told Barkley the last point he would let him make, Barkley couldn’t back down.
“I wish you were driving me crazy right here,” Barkley said.
“I also think that just because people are getting speeding tickets, it doesn’t mean everyone in the league is speeding. So, don’t look at this group of people who are getting investigated as a league as a whole,” Smith concluded.
Kenny Smith watches before the game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Los Angeles Lakers as part of the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament at T-Mobile Arena on December 7, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Getty Images via Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE)
Then, it was Barkley’s turn to speak.
“First of all, these are two different things,” he began. “Take Chauncey out of the equation, and the reason I’m mad about Kenny is that this has nothing to do with gambling addiction. This has nothing to do with addiction. These guys are idiots. You can’t fix the game of basketball anyway. Anyway, I like gambling myself or $6 people gambling. How much is he going to get out of the game he’s making? $26 million.”
Smith came in as he said Barkley was proving his point.
“If you’re trying to get $26 million to $50,000, that’s illogical,” Smith said.
Barkley fired back, reiterating his belief that those involved were not gambling addicts, but rather “this is nonsense.”
“Stop this idea that these guys are making money and giving information. It has nothing to do with addiction. It’s complete nonsense from both of them,” Barkley said.
O’Neill made his decision before Smith and Barclay argued. He said the league provided a forum to educate players about the dangers of gambling.
“All these guys knew what was at stake and I’m ashamed that they put themselves, put their families and put the NBA in this position,” O’Neal said. “You all know the rules, we know the letter of the law, and that’s just unfortunate. Innocent until proven guilty, but usually when the FBI has something, you have them.”
College basketball analyst Charles Barkley aired before the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four championship game. (Michelle Layton/Getty Images)
Billups, a basketball Hall of Famer like the men on the panel, left an Oregon federal courthouse Thursday, where he did not answer questions after being arrested as part of an FBI investigation. Billups was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, as he was involved in an investigation into a daring poker game.
Billups was released from custody on the condition that he return his passport, have no contact with any of the 30-plus co-defendants charged and not participate in any gambling activities.
Rozier was allegedly involved in a sports gambling ring, where schemers allegedly provided non-public information about who would sit out future games or when they would take themselves out early due to injury or illness.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Rozier suffered the injury to leave a game between the Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans on March 23, 2023. Rozier had told co-defendant Deniro Laster that he would remove himself from the game so Laster could bet on it.
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The NBA cooperated with the investigation and placed Billups and Rozier on immediate leaves of absence.
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