Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith clash over NBA gambling scandal on ESPN

The most important story in sports activities, not to mention the NBA, was the FBI playing investigation introduced Thursday, which included the arrests of Portland Path Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Warmth guard Terry Rozier and former NBA guard Damon Jones.

Throughout ESPN’s “Inside The NBA,” the panel of Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley mentioned the state of affairs, however it resulted in a little bit of a heated back-and-forth between Smith and Barkley.

Smith started together with his complete tackle the state of affairs.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Portland Path Blazers coach Chauncey Billups leaves the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse after a listening to following his arrest on federal playing expenses in Portland, Oregon, U.S., October 23, 2025. (REUTERS/John Rudoff)

“We take a look at gamers concerned and other people concerned. We’re shocked when you’ve gotten entry and also you’re on the prime of the sport. As a coach or a participant or no matter on the prime of the sport you’ve gotten entry to hundreds of thousands of {dollars} on this league. So it was shocking that they probably put themselves in that place. Harmless till confirmed responsible,” he stated.

Smith’s subsequent level is what irritated Barkley, who was visibly pissed off on the counter.

“I believe the opposite half is it’s a must to notice that playing is an habit, so the habit of it causes you to make illogical selections,” Smith continued. “…The FBI director [Kash Patel] stated: There’s a man who misplaced $1.8 million. Which means he has some huge cash, so he’s hooked on it. These ‘fish’ they had been speaking about bringing in. So playing is an habit that may trigger you to make illogical selections, no matter your ethnic background, no matter your bodily background, no matter your monetary standing. So let’s perceive that.

OREGON SEN. RON WYDEN RESPONDS TO FBI PROBE WITH TRAIL BLAZERS COACH CHAUNCEY BILLUPS: ‘VERY SAD DAY’

“I do not agree with that in terms of the NBA dropping the ball. That is an ongoing investigation. There is no manner an FBI, and even the police, of anybody would say, ‘Hey, that is what we’re doing.’ The factor of shock at all times ensures this occurs in order that they can not exaggerate the knowledge they obtain.

When Smith instructed Barkley he would let him discuss as soon as he made his closing level, Barkley could not maintain again.

“I want you’ll, since you’re making me indignant right here,” Barkley stated.

“I additionally suppose that simply because persons are getting rushing tickets doesn’t suggest that everybody within the league is rushing, so do not take a look at this group of individuals being investigated as all the league,” Smith concluded.

Kenny Smith seems on earlier than the sport between the New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers as a part of the 2023 NBA In-Season Match on December 7, 2023 at T-Cellular Enviornment in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE by way of Getty Photos)

Then it was Barkley’s flip to talk.

“To begin with, these are two various things,” he started. “Take Chauncey out of the equation, and the explanation I am mad at Kenny is as a result of this has nothing to do with a goddamn playing habit. This has nothing to do with an habit. These guys are silly. You’ll be able to’t repair basketball video games underneath any circumstances. Not at all. I really like playing. Rozier makes $26 million. If he provides folks info or takes himself out of video games, how a lot will he make of it profit from taking himself out of video games to hit unders? He is being profitable.” $26 million.”

Smith intervened, saying Barkley was proving his level.

“If you happen to’re making $26 million to attempt to make $50,000, it would not make sense,” Smith stated.

Barkley fired again, reiterating his perception that these concerned weren’t playing addicts, however reasonably “that is stupidity.”

“The concept that guys are making all this cash and giving out info, cease that. That has nothing to do with habit. It is whole stupidity from these two,” Barkley stated.

O’Neal gave his ideas forward of the Smith and Barkley debate. He stated the league has arrange boards to teach gamers concerning the risks of playing.

“All these guys knew what was at stake and I am simply ashamed that they put themselves, their households and the NBA on this place,” O’Neal stated. “You all know the principles, everyone knows the letter of the regulation and it is only a disgrace. Harmless till confirmed responsible, however normally when the FBI has one thing, they have you ever.”

Faculty basketball analyst Charles Barkley on air earlier than the NCAA Males’s Basketball Match Ultimate 4 championship sport. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Photos)

Billups, a Basketball Corridor of Famer like the lads on the panel, left a federal courthouse in Oregon on Thursday, the place he didn’t reply questions after being arrested as a part of the FBI investigation. Billups was charged with conspiracy to commit financial institution fraud and cash laundering for allegedly being concerned within the investigation of rigged poker video games.

Billups was launched on the circumstances that he give up his passport, not contact any of the greater than 30 defendants charged, and never take part in any playing exercise.

Rozier was allegedly concerned within the sports activities playing ring, the place schemers would allegedly present personal details about who would sit out future video games or after they would withdraw themselves early resulting from harm or sickness.

New York Metropolis Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated Rozier faked an harm to depart a sport between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans on March 23, 2023. Rozier allegedly instructed co-suspect Deniro Laster that he would take himself out of the sport in order that Laster may guess on it.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The NBA cooperated with the investigation and instantly positioned Billups and Rozier on depart.

Observe Fox Information Digital’s sports reporting on Xand subscribe to the Fox Information Sports activities Huddle e-newsletter.