The Toronto Raptors suffer another setback in a season marked by obstacles and injuries. The Jontay Porter center is the target of a sports betting investigation.
Toronto head coach Darko Rajakovic confirmed the news Monday evening after the game against the Brooklyn Nets.
I was informed today, quite at the same time as everyone else, he says. I was caught off guard.
He adds that it is the first time in his career that he finds himself in a situation like this.
I haven’t spoken to the players and I don’t know what they think about it. All I know is that no one wants this kind of situation to happen to anyone on any team.
ESPN released its report an hour before the game in Toronto. According to the American media, the investigation concerns bets made by Mr. Porter on his own performance during the matches played on January 26 and March 20. He says the NBA was reviewing the matter.
Open in full screen mode
Darko Rajakovic is the 10th head coach in Toronto Raptors history. (Archive photo)
Photo : NBA.com
Radio-Canada has not received confirmation from the NBA on this issue.
The general surprise
The journalist specializing in the NBA at CHOQ FM, Patrick Bizindavyi, says that the announcement surprised all observers of the Toronto team.
He explains that Mr Porter was recognized for his potential, but had been unable to establish himself due to multiple injuries.
The Raptors recruited him in December to play for their school club, the Raptors 905.
[Puis]due to injuries and absences, he was promoted to the first team, he continues.
He gives the impression of being someone who is very wise, very calm, and who appreciates the opportunity he had to play with the Raptors.
Raptors analyst and reporter Savanna Hamilton wholeheartedly hopes he is cleared following the NBA’s investigation.
We have never seen a player in such a situation, she says.
Ms. Hamilton admits that this is yet another obstacle for a team afflicted by a series of bad news.
Open in full screen mode
Savanna Hamilton believes there needs to be better regulation of sports betting.
Photo : Savanna Hamilton / Instagram
Among other things, Raptors star Scottie Barnes broke his left hand in early March, ending his season. Then, RJ Barrett, who lost his brother, took time to grieve.
It’s as if the team is being belittled once again when it is already at its lowest, she laments.
A Pandora’s Box
Savanna Hamilton also believes that the legalization of sports betting, particularly in Ontario, has had many unexpected repercussions.
I was never in favor. In my opinion, we were opening a Pandora’s box.
She explains that players are already feeling the consequences of partisan betting.
Some athletes have come out in public to say that fans sent them hateful messages because they lost money, she points out.
Last year, Raptors player Chris Boucher himself said in a podcast that he was the target of messages like this.
Ms. Hamilton also describes this new reality as a little dangerous unless sports betting is further regulated.
Sports betting, here for good
Brock University assistant professor of sports management Michael Naraine, however, says sports betting is here to stay.
He explains that the loss of profits caused by the COVID-19 pandemic made sports leagues feel they had no choice but to promote this aspect of the game to generate revenue.
We still don’t know what the impact will be on the integrity of the game, he admits.
Open in full screen mode
Michael Naraine says sports betting is still in its infancy in Canada and the NBA. (Archive photo)
Photo : Radio-Canada / Anne-Marie Trickey
Mr. Naraine expects the NBA to be extremely thorough in its internal investigations when a player is suspected of betting on a game.
But now that the door to sports betting is open, it is not about to close. This is our new ‘normal’.
According to him, Canadians will have to wait 20 to 30 years before seeing a possible change of course regarding sports betting or the creation of programs to discourage the practice.
2024-03-26 23:13:17
#NBA #investigating #sports #betting #allegations #involving #Raptors #Jontay #Porter
