Is sports betting becoming a real NBA issue?
Sports betting has been a major issue for leagues and college for atleast the past four decades, but have leagues gone too far by being “in bed” with gambling ?
NBA Coach Threatened, Does League Have A Gambling Problem?
NFL has suspended several players over the last few years for violating its league policy on gambling, including Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley. The NHL suspended Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto for 41 games in October for violating its league rules on wagering.
Recently, former Alabama head baseball coach Brian Bohannon, who was fired last spring for betting on his game, was handed a 15-year show-cause by the NCAA, essentially making it hard for him to get another collegiate sports job for 15 years. And the Los Angeles Dodgers fired Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter yesterday afternoon.
While the NBA has largely avoided such violations or scandals since the Tim Donaghy fiasco, Minnesota Timberwolves Rudy Gobert accused NBA referees of being influenced by bettors. While Gobert’s comments can be taken with a grain of salt because of who made the accusations, the Association may now have to be really concerned after Cleveland Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff revealed he received a threat from gamblers last season.
JB Bickerstaff Incident
According to Tom Withers of the Associated Press, Bickerstaff said he received threats from gamblers last season while meeting with reporters before last night’s 107-104 loss to the Miami Heat.
Bickerstaff did report the incident to the NBA, and the perpetrator was found, but no charges were filed.
“They got my telephone number and were sending me crazy messages about where I live and my kids and all that stuff. So it is a dangerous game and a fine line that we’re walking for sure.
No charges. But they found him.”
Bickerstaff said the prevalence of sports betting has made his job tougher. Sports gambling is legal in 38 states and the District of Columbia. In some NBA arenas, including the Cavs’ Rocket Mortage facility, fans can place bets or use their phones to wager on games.
“It brings added pressure. It brings a distraction to the game that can be difficult for players, coaches, referees, everybody that’s involved in it. And I think that we really have to be careful with how close we let it get to the game and the security of the people who are involved in it.
“Because again, it does carry a weight. A lot of times the people who are gambling like this money pays their light bill or pay their rent, and then the emotions that come from that. So I do think we’re walking a very fine line and we have to be extremely careful in protecting everybody who’s involved.”
“The amount of times where I’m standing up there and we may have a 10-point lead and the spread is 11 and people are yelling at me to leave the guys in so that we can cover the spread, it’s ridiculous,” he said. “But again, I understand the business side of it and the nature of the business of it. But I mean, it is something that I believe has gone too far.”
Final Word
Gambling makes sports more enjoyable. But it has gotten way out of hand, and the NBA has to do something about it. I don’t know what the NBA can do besides get rid of arena betting, issue a lifetime ban on people who threaten players, and have casinos follow suit.
No coach or player should ever be threatened or harassed because someone placed a bet on or against them. After all, it is called gambling. If people can’t afford to lose the money, they shouldn’t be betting or limiting their bets.
