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The biggest story in sports, not to mention NBAThere was an FBI gambling investigation announced Thursday that resulted in the arrests of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA guard Damon Jones, among many others.
During ESPN's “Inside the NBA,” the panel of Shaquille O'Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley discussed the situation, but this led to some altercation between Smith and Barkley.
Smith began with a detailed look at the situation.
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Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups leaves the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse following his arrest hearing on federal gambling charges in Portland, Oregon, United States, October 23, 2025. (REUTERS/John Rudoff)
“We look at the players involved and the people that are involved, we're amazed when you have access and you're at the top of the game, so to speak, as a coach or player or whatever at the top of the game, you have access to millions of dollars in this league. So it was surprising that they could possibly put themselves in this position. Innocent until proven guilty,” he said.
Smith's next remark irritated Barkley, who was visibly upset at the table.
“I think the other part is you have to realize that gambling is an addiction, so addiction causes you to make illogical decisions,” Smith continued. “… FBI Director [Kash Patel] They say there is a man who lost $1.8 million. This means that he has a lot of money, so he is addicted to it. Those “fish” they were talking about. So, gambling is an addiction that can cause you to make illogical decisions, regardless of your ethnic background, regardless of your physical background, regardless of your financial situation. So let's understand this.
“I don't agree with the NBA dropping the ball. This is an ongoing investigation. No FBI or even police can say, “Hey, this is what we do.” The element of surprise always contributes to this, so they cannot overestimate the information they receive.
When Smith told Barkley he would let him speak as soon as he made his final point, Barkley couldn't hold back.
“I wish you would because you’re making me angry right here,” Barkley said.
“I also think just because people get speeding tickets doesn't mean everyone in the league is speeding. So don’t look at this group of people who started being investigated as the entire league,” Smith concluded.
Kenny Smith looks on before the game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2023 NBA season on December 7, 2023 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE via Getty Images)
Then it was Barkley's turn to speak.
“First of all, these are two different things,” he began. “Take Chauncey out of the equation and the reason I'm mad at Kenny is because it has nothing to do with a damn gambling addiction. This has nothing to do with addiction. These guys are stupid. You can't fix basketball games under any circumstances. $26 million.”
Smith chimed in, saying Barkley was making his point.
“If you're making $26 million trying to make $50,000, it's counterintuitive,” Smith said.
Barkley hit back, reiterating his belief that those involved were not drug addicts, but rather “this is stupid.”
“The idea that guys are making all this money and providing information, stop it. This has nothing to do with addiction. This is complete stupidity on the part of these two,” Barkley said.
O'Neill weighed in ahead of the Smith-Barkley debate. He said the league has organized forums to educate players about the dangers of gambling.
“All of these guys knew what was at stake, and I’m just ashamed that they put themselves, their family and the NBA in that position,” O’Neal said. “You all know the rules, we all know the letter of the law, and this is just unfortunate. Innocent until proven guilty, but usually when the FBI has something, they grab you.”
College basketball analyst Charles Barkley on-air before the Final Four championship game of the NCAA men's basketball tournament. (Mitchell Leighton/Getty Images)
Billups, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, like the panelists, left the Oregon federal courthouse on Thursday, where he did not answer questions after being arrested as part of an FBI investigation. Billups was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering for allegedly participating in an investigation into rigged poker games.
Billups was released from custody on the condition that he surrender his passport, have no contact with any of the more than 30 defendants and not engage in any gambling activity.
Rozier was allegedly involved in sports gambling, where schemers allegedly gave inside information about who would sit out future games or when they would retire early due to injury or illness.
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Rozier faked the injury to leave the March 23, 2023, game between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans. It is alleged that Rozier told co-defendant Deniro Luster that he would quit the game so Luster could bet on it.
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The NBA cooperated with the investigation and immediately placed Billups and Rozier on leave.
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