Charles Barkley, Shaq weighs in on NBA gambling case

Shaquille O’Neal said he was “ashamed” of the people involved in the gambling scandal that rocked the NBA on Thursday.

Charles Barclay called the two men involved in the case “stupid”.

Kenny Smith said the situation was “very unfortunate”.

The day after the “Inside the NBA” crew debuted on ESPN, three analysts, and host Ernie Johnson, had a big story to discuss that had little to do with the actual game of basketball.

On Thursday morning, federal prosecutors unsealed two indictments alleging separate schemes for sports betting and poker games. More than 30 people were arrested, including former Clippers player and current Portland head coach Chauncey Billups, who was charged with participating in a conspiracy to fix high-stakes card games run by mafia families.

Also arrested were Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, who was part of a scheme to provide private insider NBA information to help others profit from online betting, and retired player Damon Jones, who was charged with participating in both schemes.

“All these guys knew what was at stake, and I’m just ashamed that they put themselves and their families and put the NBA in that position,” O’Neal said during Thursday’s broadcast. “We all know the laws, we all know the letter of the law. And it’s just unfortunate — you know, innocent until proven guilty, but usually when the FBI has something, they have you.”

He added: “I know Chauncey. I know Damon very well, played with Damon. … I’m ashamed that these guys would put their families and their careers in jeopardy. There’s an old saying in the hood, not all money is good money, so if you make $9 million, how do you need it? On yourself or your family or the NBA.

Smith pointed out that “gambling is an addiction that can make you make irrational decisions,” but Barkley interjected that addiction had nothing to do with the decision that Jones and Rozier helped others make bogus bets.

“It has nothing to do with addiction. These guys are idiots,” Barkley said. “Why are they stupid? You can’t fix basketball games under any circumstances. Under no circumstances. … Like, Rozier makes $26 million. He bets, tips people off or takes himself out of the game – how much is he going to make by taking himself out of the game to get an under?”

Barkley added: “You can’t fix the ball game. Like I said, it’s separate from Chauncey, but the idea that guys are making all this money and giving information — come on, man, stop it. It has nothing to do with addiction. It’s just complete stupidity on the part of these two friends.”

Billups — a five-time All-Star who was the 2004 NBA Finals MVP as a member of the Detroit Pistons and is in his fifth season as Portland’s coach — and Rozier, a 10-year NBA veteran, have been placed on immediate leave, the league announced Thursday.

Billups’ attorney released a statement Thursday night strongly denying the allegations against his client.

“Anyone who knows Chauncey Billups knows that he is a man of integrity,” said prosecutor Chris Haywood. “Honest people do not cheat or betray others.”

Rosier’s attorney said in a statement Thursday that his client will fight the charges.

“Terry’s not a gambler, but he’s not afraid of a fight, and he’s looking forward to winning that fight,” Jim Trusty said.

Jones played three seasons with LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005 to 2008 and was an assistant coach during the Lakers star’s second stint in Cleveland. In an indictment, prosecutors allege that Jones was an unofficial coach with the Lakers from 2022 to 2023 when he used inside information for sports betting.