Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith conflict over NBA playing scandal on ESPN

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

Throughout ESPN’s "Inside The NBA," the panel of Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley mentioned the scenario, however it resulted in a little bit of a heated forwards and backwards between Smith and Barkley.

Smith started together with his prolonged tackle the scenario.

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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., Oct. 23, 2025. (REUTERS/John Rudoff)

"We have a look at gamers who're concerned and people who find themselves concerned, we’re shocked when you have got entry and also you’re on the prime of the sport, so to talk as a coach or a participant or no matter on the prime of the sport, you have got entry to hundreds of thousands of {dollars} on this league. So, it was shocking that they put themselves in that place probably. Harmless till confirmed responsible," he stated.

Smith’s subsequent level is what ticked off Barkley, who was visibly annoyed on the desk.

"I feel the opposite half is you need to understand playing is an dependancy, so the dependancy of it's what makes you make illogical selections," Smith continued. "… The FBI Director [Kash Patel] stated, there’s a person who misplaced $1.8 million. Meaning he has some huge cash, so he has an dependancy to that. These ‘fish’ that they talked about bringing in. So, playing is an dependancy which may make you make illogical selections no matter your ethnic background, no matter your bodily background, no matter your monetary standing. So, let’s perceive that.

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"I disagree when it comes to the NBA dropping the ball. That is an ongoing investigation. There’s no means that any FBI, or police even, who anybody would say, ‘Hey, that is what we’re doing.’ The shock factor all the time makes it occur so they can't overextend the data they’re receiving.

As Smith advised Barkley he would let him speak as soon as he made his closing level, Barkley couldn’t maintain again.

"I want you'd since you’re making me mad proper right here," Barkley stated.

"I additionally assume that as a result of there’s folks getting rushing tickets it doesn’t imply everybody within the league speeds. So, don’t have a look at this group of those who began to get investigated as your entire league," Smith concluded.

Kenny Smith, appears to be like on earlier than the sport between the New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers as a part of the 2023 NBA In-Season Event on December 7, 2023, at T-Cell Enviornment in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE through Getty Photos)

Then, it was Barkley’s flip to talk.

"To start with, these are two various things," he started. "Take Chauncey out of the equation, and the rationale I’m mad at Kenny is that this has nothing to do with a rattling playing dependancy. This ain’t obtained nothing to do with dependancy. These dudes are silly. You'll be able to, in no way, repair basketball video games. Not at all. I like to gamble. Rozier makes $26 million. Him giving folks data or taking himself out of video games, how a lot is he going to profit taking himself out of video games to hit unders? He’s making $26 million."

Smith butted in, as he stated Barkley was proving his level.

"In the event you’re making $26 million to attempt to when $50,000, that’s illogical," Smith stated.

Barkley fired again, reiterating his perception that these concerned weren't playing addicts, however fairly "that’s stupidity."

"The notion that guys are making all this cash and giving data, cease that. That’s obtained nothing to do with dependancy. It’s whole stupidity on these two’s elements," Barkley stated.

O’Neal gave his take previous to the Smith and Barkley debate. He stated the league gave boards to tell gamers in regards to the risks of playing.

"All these guys knew what was at stake and I’m simply ashamed that they put themselves, put their household and put the NBA on this place," O’Neal stated. "You all know the foundations, everyone knows the letter of the regulation and it’s simply unlucky. Harmless till confirmed responsible, however normally when the FBI has one thing, they have you ever."

School basketball analyst Charles Barkley on air earlier than the NCAA Males's Basketball Event Closing 4 championship recreation. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Photos)

Billups, a Basketball Corridor of Famer like the lads on the panel, left an Oregon federal courthouse 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 wire fraud and cash laundering, as he was allegedly concerned within the rigged poker video games investigation.

Billups was launched from custody beneath the situations of turning over his passport, not contacting any of the 30-plus co-defendants charged, and never collaborating in any playing exercise.

Rozier was allegedly concerned within the sports activities playing ring, the place schemers had been allegedly giving personal details about who could be sitting out future video games or once they could be pulling themselves out early for accidents or sicknesses.

New York Metropolis Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated Rozier faked an harm to depart a March 23, 2023, recreation between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans. Rozier was alleged to have advised co-defendant Deniro Laster that he would take himself out of the sport so Laster may wager on it.