Cleveland Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff revealed he acquired threats from gamblers final season and reported it to the NBA.
Whereas being requested Wednesday night time about sports activities playing following feedback made by Pacers All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, who mentioned he generally seems like a “prop,” Bickerstaff mentioned gamblers contacted him.
“They bought my phone quantity and have been sending me loopy messages about the place I reside and my children and all that stuff,” Bickerstaff mentioned earlier than the Cavs hosted the Miami Warmth. “So it’s a harmful sport and a advantageous line that we’re strolling for positive.”
Bickerstaff mentioned he informed safety and that the gambler was situated.
“No expenses,” Bickerstaff mentioned. “However they discovered him.”
With sports activities playing rising within the U.S., Bickerstaff, who’s in his fourth full season with the Cavaliers, mentioned his job has turn out to be more difficult.
“It brings added strain,” he mentioned. “It brings a distraction to the sport that may be troublesome for gamers, coaches, referees, all people that is concerned in it. And I feel that we actually must watch out with how shut we let it get to the sport and the safety of the people who find themselves concerned in it.
“As a result of once more, it does carry a weight. Quite a lot of instances the people who find themselves playing like this cash pays their mild invoice or pay their hire, after which the feelings that come from that. So I do assume we’re strolling a really advantageous line and we have now to be extraordinarily cautious in defending all people who’s concerned.”
As a result of followers can guess on their telephones within the area — the Cavs have a sportsbook inside Rocket Mortage FieldHouse — Bickerstaff mentioned the road between playing and the sport has by no means been nearer.
“There is no doubt about it that it is crossed the road,” Bickerstaff mentioned. “The quantity of instances the place I am standing up there and we might have a 10-point lead and the unfold is 11 and persons are yelling at me to go away the fellows in in order that we will cowl the unfold, it is ridiculous.
“However once more, I perceive the enterprise facet of it and the character of the enterprise of it. However I imply, it’s one thing that I consider has gone too far.”
Following a latest sport in Cleveland, Minnesota middle Rudy Gobert mentioned he felt playing is “hurting our sport.”
Gobert made the feedback after making a “cash” gesture towards official Scott Foster, implying playing was influencing the best way the sport was being known as. He was fined $100,000, the utmost that the NBA may give underneath phrases of the collective bargaining settlement that went into place final yr.
