Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was arrested in a major gambling scandal.
Billups has been with the Trail Blazers for the majority of their rebuild but is now forced to step away from the team due to his connection to illegal and rigged poker games linked to the mob. Fans have begun to question why and how Billups got caught up in such an extreme situation, and rightfully so.
One organized crime expert did his best to break down how Billups ended up in this predicament.
Why Did Chauncey Billups Get Involved With the Mob?
Billups and others allegedly rigged these poker games using x-ray tables, fixed shuffling machines, and special contact lenses and glasses.
Organized crime expert Zach Jensen explained to PFSN’s Anthony Pasciolla how and why Billups got caught up in this mess.
“One, greed makes people do strange things. But, once you cross that line, especially with the mob, it’s not so easy to get out,” Jensen told PFSN. “Because they now have on you that you’re willing to do illegal things, and they have that over your head, so there’s an implication that if you don’t keep going with it, it could be exposed.
Billups is a Hall of Famer, five-time All-Star, NBA champion, and much more. This arrest has the potential to not only ruin his coaching career but also greatly harm his legacy as a player. It’s worth noting his coaching career has left much to be desired, as he’s yet to have a winning season in Portland.
Jensen continued, “Chauncey Billups had a lot to lose, so that kind of thing could keep somebody in that game even if they feel like they’re in too deep and want to get out.”
“The mob has an interesting philosophy when it comes to people that are in and people that are out. Once you cross that line in doing something illegal, then you are in with them. You are willing to break the law. You’re no longer innocent, and you’re fair game to be taken advantage of… Once you delve into those waters, you’re one of them, so once you’ve crossed that line, it’s hard to get back,” Jensen concluded.
This situation could take an extensive amount of time to sort out and reach a verdict, so in the meantime, the Trail Blazers will do their best to move forward with Tiago Splitter filling in as the interim head coach.
