Chauncey Billups‘ alleged involvement in rigged, Mafia-affiliated poker games, his subsequent arrest and then termination as Portland Trailblazers head coach has landed him in the middle of a scandal that Jemele Hill called, “the story of the year.” In addition to the poker games that involved using X-ray machines to cheat participants out of money, Billups has also been linked to the larger scandal that involves trading inside information and possibly manipulating actual NBA games. Reports claim that Billups tipped off his clan of gamblers with the availability of players before those names even appeared on the official injury report.
The backlash from these charges and the ones facing former Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA player and Lakers assistant coach Damon Jones has been considerable. It has also shaken the fans’ trust in the NBA as a league of 100 percent integrity as it pertains to outcomes, performance and officiating. Amid all this chaos, former NBA player Hassan Whiteside steps to the front with some accusations levied against Billups as it pertains to his career. Whiteside blamed his failure to resign with Portland, despite posting solid numbers with his 7-foot frame, because of Billups and his supposed gambling habits.
Whiteside Blames Chauncey Billups Gambling Habits For Trailblazers Not Resigning Him
Whiteside pointed out that during the 2019-20 season, he averaged a double-double of 15.5 points and 13.5 rebounds, along with a league-leading 2.9 blocks, over 67 appearances for the Blazers in the regular season. When it came time to offer him a contract for his services, the franchise chose to let him go and somehow Whiteside blames Billups’ gambling habits and eventual takeover as Portland Trailblazers head coach for that situation.
“Now I understand why he didn’t want to re-sign me to the Blazers when he became the coach,” Whiteside wrote in the comment section of a post. “I was averaging 18 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks, leading the league.”
Whiteside’s Admission Has Some Holes In It
While Whiteside basks in the glory of Billups’ downfall, it’s hard to follow why he thinks Billups is to blame for the Blazers not signing him. Billups did not even become the Trail Blazers’ head coach until the 2021-22 season. So, when Whiteside was allowed to walk away to join the Sacramento Kings, Terry Stotts was the man in charge.
Some just think Whiteside was joking or just clout chasing to get himself into the narrative. Billups was fired just one game into his fifth season as head coach of a Portland rebuild. Billups led the team to 36 wins last season, the highest total in his tenure. Optimism was abound in Portland and it’s messed up how Billups has gone out. Shaquille O’Neal described his feelings as one “shame” for the way the alleged perpetrators and targets of FBI Director Kash Patel, represented their families and the league.
Tyronn Lue Is Standing By Lifelong Friend Chauncey Billups
Who knows what Whiteside was trying to say or if he withheld specific information that proves his accusations against Billups. Either way, it’s another shaky look for the NBA. Whiteside suggesting Billups’ gambling habits affected his roster moves doesn’t help current feelings towards the NBA. Despite the support Billups has gotten from former NBA head coach Tyronn Lue and JB Bickerstaff, he has a long road back.
Lue has known Billups since he was 17, and he is the godfather to Billups’s three daughters. to say they are super tight is an understatement. ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne asked Lue to express his sentiments concerning the bombshell FBI and NBA scandal that has led to over 30 arrests and stained the NBA, however, temporarily. He said he has spoken to Billups since his arrest and that he believes his friend is confident he is on the road to exoneration.
“When you’ve known somebody so long, you can just tell by their voice— if he’s okay,” Lue said. “Like I said, he’s confident in what’s going on. The toughest part just for him is just like his family going through with his daughters. But other than that, he’s really confident about the situation. So just hearing his voice, I can just see that he’s okay. So that was good to hear.”
Chauncey says it hurts him to see Chauncey, his wife Piper and their children have to go through this. It’s a mighty fall from where the Hall of Famer was just a week ago.
” I believe in Chauncey’s character. I know who he is as a person. I’ve been with him since I was 17 years old. So it’s just hard to see something like this happen. So he has my love and support always,” said Lue
