Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat
Even though they have always existed, they sport bets they are becoming more and more popular in recent years, starting to create the first serious problems in the world of American basketball.
After the latest interviews with Erik Spoelstra and John-Blair Bickerstaff, coaches respectively of the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the problem the NBA is starting to have with the betting issue.
Like many players, too Kevin Durant he expressed himself on the issue with ironic tones (but not too much) last November, pointing out how bettors are always ready to write to him when they lose, but never send him money when they win.
When I get ya paid, u don’t DM me and send a small percentage to my cashapp but when them parlays don’t hit, I’m every name in the book. Yall ain’t real
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) November 20, 2023
The threats
Spoelstra and Bickerstaff were the last to speak in chronological order, but it seems that due to the scope of their statements (especially those of the Cavs coach), their words could be the drop that will break the camel’s back. Also due to the fact that more and more players or coaches are complaining about this serious problem.
Coach Spoelstra spoke with much disdain about a ridiculous situation occurred last year in Miami, where a fan stood behind the Heat bench to rail against Victor Oladipo, “guilty” of having rejected a three-pointer when the game was over and the result was already decided. Security had to take the alleged fan out to prevent the situation from becoming even more unpleasant than it already was.
The NBA has crossed a very, very dangerous line by allowing live betting through League Pass.
To listen to today’s episode, it’s great to review these statements from JB Bickerstaff, coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers.pic.twitter.com/YDU612SjVK
— NBA – Mínimo de Veterano (@MinimoDVeterano) March 21, 2024
Much more unpleasant was what happened to coach Bickerstaff, who during the press conference before the match against Spoelstra’s Heat, reported that he had received threats from some fans to your private number:
They got my phone number and sent me crazy messages. They talk about where I live, about my children. It’s a dangerous game and we walk a very thin line. It brings more pressure and an added distraction to the game which is already difficult for players, coaches, referees and everyone involved
A problem for the players too
About a month ago it had become Rudy Gobert’s gesture went viral who, turning to Scott Foster, had mimed the gesture of money with his hands, thus earning himself a fine $100,000 fine, the maximum possible in the NBA. Gobert then also explained the reason for his gesture, saying he regretted having contributed to his team’s defeat against the Cavs, but not the gesture made towards the referee:
I would do it again. I’m fine with being called the bad guy. I’ll get the fine. But I think the betting business, which is getting bigger and bigger, will end up ruining our game, and it shouldn’t be that way
Gobert also said that the referees are letting themselves be influenced more and more from betting, thus earning himself the fourth fine of his career for criticizing the referees, but he raised an issue that is bothering more and more players. Tyrese Haliburtonfor example, expressed himself on the issue, proving to be highly annoyed by the behavior of many fans:
People don’t care about us players, about how we feel before or after a game. Nowadays everyone only thinks about betting. For half of the people who follow me they are just a means to make money through the various betting agencies. For them I am just an object, on social media I only receive messages of this type.
Haliburton is definitely not experiencing his best form (given an absurd start to the season, after the All-Star break he is shooting 23.8% from three) and the last thing he needs right now is to have to worry of his own safety due to some bettors and their economic problems, which certainly do not depend on him nor concern him, a concept which however does not seem to take root in the minds of these pseudo-fans.
The important thing now is that the NBA intervenes as soon as possible on this issue, trying to regulate this part of the sporting environment as much as possible, so as to best protect our coaches, our players and the game we love.
2024-03-23 15:35:52
#NBAs #betting #problem
