By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: AP/Mike Stewart
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups has been charged in an illegal poker operation tied to the Mafia.
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was also arrested, but in a separate situation, in a related betting case.
It is another dumbfounded case of betting between players and former athletes. We know the rules were implemented, and it’s unbelievable that people still refuse to obey them.
Chauncey Billups earned over $106 million on the court in 17 NBA seasons. He won a championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004 and was named Finals MVP. Billups is reportedly earning around $4.75 million per year as head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Terry Rozier has earned over $133M in his 10-year NBA career. He’s currently under contract with the Heat for $26.6 million.
It doesn’t stop there, because another person has also been caught. Former NBA player and coach Damon Jones was arrested Thursday in connection with an illegal gambling case.
Jones played in the league from 1999 to 2009. He played for various teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, and the Heat.
Jones spent three seasons as a Cavaliers assistant coach, a role he held during the 2016 Cavaliers championship season.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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