Jail Bird Billups. SHAMS: Chauncey placed immediate leave by the NBA.

[BlazersBroncos]

This isn't even the case of a high-stakes VIP poker game. They had x-ray tech used to see players cards and lured players in to go up against a whole crew that was in on it. That seems pretty brazen.

Yeah it definitely looks like the games were rigged. Reddit linked this 2 year old thread with these accusations so it's been going on for a long time.

https://np.reddit.com/r/ripcity/comments/13lbu55/chauncey_allegedly_scammed_people_out_of/


Edit: Let's keep national level politics out of this, this has been going on a long time

Matt: There are a lot of stories about it. There's one that cropped up, must've been like 5 years ago, 2019ish I think?

Wild that this turned out to be true.

I will never understand how someone with a heavy work load, a family and assumingly other obligations can find time to do stuff as stupid as this. Sorta like how John Wayne Gacy was running a legit business, performing as a clown, hosting neighborhood BBQs, heavily involved in local politics and still found time to kill like 50 people.

It makes me feel very poor at time management.

[Wizenheimer]

this has apparently been a multiple year investigation that started in the Biden Administration. And the Eastern District of NY is a pretty serious office.

the charges against Billups are significant

[BNM]

I wanted him to be fired for being inept, not corrupt.

Oh well, beggars can’t be choosers.

At least this way, they can get out from under paying the last 3 years of his contract + extension.

[oldfishermen]

this has apparently been a multiple year investigation that started in the Biden Administration. And the Eastern District of NY is a pretty serious office.

the charges against Billups are significant

Significant may be an understatement. It is starting to look very, very bad for Billups.

Makes me wonder how long the mafia had their claws in Billups?

[monopoman]

Agreed on all points. In my relatively short time on earth I have seen the FBI do some really questionable things where they appear to entrap and build flimsy cases, and I also agree they are currently being led by one of the stupidest, least experienced and personally motivated individuals.

That said, this isn't a very complex scheme. I don't really agree with the idea of a poker night being illegal, why can't adults gamble away their money if they want and buyer beware, but this won't be rocket science to prove and prosecute.

This isn't even the case of a high-stakes VIP poker game. They had x-ray tech used to see players cards and lured players in to go up against a whole crew that was in on it. That seems pretty brazen. I'm under the impression to that this was something green lit by the Biden admin.

Yeah, for everyone (correctly) lighting up Patel's laughable credibility, this investigation - from what I've been able to gather - has been going on since well before Patel entered the picture at the FBI. While Patel gets to be the figurehead here, this was simply something he inherited and had to finish the job started by the last guy in charge.

Typically these investigations take years, because they don't want to come in and arrest without taking the time to gather evidence and proof of the crimes. I would be stunned if this wasn't being worked on for at least 4-5 years before we see it here, just because it becomes a huge story to the public does not mean in say 2021 or 2022 they were first investigating this.

The FBI is supposed to take large federal cases like this and figure out exactly what is going on, based on the Tweet above it appears this is way bigger and far more than just a high stakes poker ring. They were robbing big money gamblers blind, as they had ways to read the cards and the hands with high tech cameras. It appears Billups job was to send them these gamblers and then he was paid for that, or at least that was his main job.

[Wizenheimer]

it gets worse and worse:

Read on Twitter

[DusterBuster]

it gets worse and worse:

Read on Twitter

Thanks Neil! Another banger.

Who would have guessed Billups would have been pinched by the Feds before the Blazers pay off the FRP owed to Chicago for Larry Nance Jr.

[Wizenheimer]

it gets worse and worse:

Read on Twitter

Thanks Neil! Another banger.

Who would have guessed Billups would have been pinched by the Feds before the Blazers pay off the FRP owed to Chicago for Larry Nance Jr.

[DusterBuster]

it gets worse and worse:

Read on Twitter

Thanks Neil! Another banger.

Who would have guessed Billups would have been pinched by the Feds before the Blazers pay off the FRP owed to Chicago for Larry Nance Jr.

Not important, but wtf was going on with Billups' shirt collar during the conference?

[Walton1one]

Read on Twitter

Not that it matters b\c IMO Billups is gone just for the association with the card game thing, but insider injury report information, if true is the nail in an already sealed coffin, and good riddance...

Would not be remotely surpised if Dundon cleans house, whether Cronin etc.., knew about any of this (doubtful), they were the people in charge and quite frankly, Billups did not have a squeaky clean image to begin with and I find it dubious they would not know about his propensity to gamble which for a head coach is not a good look.

[DusterBuster]

Read on Twitter

[monopoman]

Word is that Billups was not involved with the gambling on Blazer games or basketball games in general, but I have a feeling this will be investigated by the NBA as well as the FBI.

This also is going to make the hard push towards the dozens of sports betting apps by nearly all sports organizations look a lot worse.

[DusterBuster]

Word is that Billups was not involved with the gambling on Blazer games or basketball games in general, but I have a feeling this will be investigated by the NBA as well as the FBI.

This also is going to make the hard push towards the dozens of sports betting apps by nearly all sports organizations look a lot worse.

That's not what is being reported right now... the opposite actually that there were some games being investigated where he was coaching and made some questionable let game decisions... See the tweet I mentioned quoting Windhorst.

More reporting this goes beyond just the card games... and DOES involve in-game manipulations.

Read on Twitter

[JasonStern]

Watch on YouTube

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Jason haters are getting pwned.
New ownership.
New coach.
Sharpe and Camara resigned.
The Ha pick wasn't the best, but we also got a future 1st out of it. So, no harm no foul. Fingers crossed he develops.
Buying out Ayton wasn't the best, especially if he signed at a discount with the Lakers. But that gave us the cap space to resign Dame. Fingers crossed he recovers.
Hat tip to Cronin. Continues to wrap up the Olshey wounds.

[JasonStern]

Word is that Billups was not involved with the gambling on Blazer games or basketball games in general, but I have a feeling this will be investigated by the NBA as well as the FBI.

This also is going to make the hard push towards the dozens of sports betting apps by nearly all sports organizations look a lot worse.

If there's smoke, there tends to be fire. But coaching decisions leading to the outcome of games versus the spread is going to be far, far harder to prove. Unless he was dumb enough to text or e-mail or whatever someone, leaving a trail.

Previous poster said it best. If you have millions, why even get yourself into such a situation?

[One_and_Done]

He's gone. Last thing Portland needs is to bring back the Jailblazer vibes.

[DusterBuster]

He's gone. Last thing Portland needs is to bring back the Jailblazer vibes.

JB was 2 decades ago. I think we can let that one go.

[Wizenheimer]

Billups = Burnt Toast

[BlazersBroncos]

Buying out Ayton wasn't the best, especially if he signed at a discount with the Lakers. But that gave us the cap space to resign Dame. Fingers crossed he recovers.

Buying out Ayton was absolutley the best. Getting enough of a salary reduction to open the full MLE for Dame was even better. Ayton is not a good basketball player. He isnt even Drummond, more of a Christian Wood. Dude stinks.

[mighty_duck]

Is it too early to start a "who should be our new coach" thread?