Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith clash over NBA gambling scandal on ESPN
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The biggest story in sports, let alone the NBA, was the FBI gambling investigation announced Thursday, which included the arrests of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA guard Damon Jones, among many others.
On ESPN’s “Inside The NBA,” the panel of Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley discussed the situation, but it led to some tension between Smith and Barkley.
Smith began by discussing the situation at length.
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Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups leaves the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse following a hearing following his arrest on federal gambling charges on October 23, 2025 in Portland, Oregon, USA. (REUTERS/John Rudoff)
“We look at the players involved and the people involved, we’re surprised when you have access and you’re at the top of the game, so as a coach, player or whatever it is at the top of the game, you have access to millions of dollars in this league. So it was surprising that they would probably put themselves in that position. Innocent until proven guilty,” he said.
Smith’s next point was what irritated a visibly frustrated Barkley at the table.
“I think the other part is you have to understand that gambling is an addiction, so that addiction drives you to make irrational decisions,” Smith continued. “… FBI Director [Kash Patel] He said there was a man who lost $1.8 million. This means he has a lot of money, so he has an addiction to it. The ‘fish’ they talk about bringing. So gambling is an addiction that can cause you to make irrational decisions, regardless of your ethnicity, regardless of your physical history, regardless of your financial situation. So let’s figure this out.
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“I don’t agree with the NBA dropping the ball. This is an ongoing investigation. There’s no way any FBI, or even the police, can say, ‘Hey, this is what we’re doing.’ The element of surprise always makes that happen, so they can’t overextend the information they get.”
When Smith told Barkley he would let him speak once he had his last word, Barkley couldn’t hold back.
“I wish you did because you’re making me mad here,” Barkley said.
“I also think that just because there are people getting speeding tickets doesn’t mean that everyone in the league is speeding. So don’t view this group of people that are 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 as part of the 2023 NBA Intraseason Tournament at T-Mobile Arena on December 7, 2023 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 gambling addiction. It has nothing to do with addiction. These guys are stupid. You can’t fix basketball games under any circumstances. Under no circumstances. I like to gamble. Rozier makes $26 million. How much is it going to help him to inform people or take himself out of games to hit the bottom? $26 million.”
Smith chimed in, saying Barkley had proven his point.
“If you’re trying to make $26 million when you have $50,000, that’s unreasonable,” Smith said.
Barkley responded by reiterating his belief that “this was stupidity” and not those involved in the incident who were addicted to gambling.
“Stop the idea that men make all this money and give out information. This has nothing to do with addiction. It’s pure stupidity on both of their part,” Barkley said.
O’Neal gave his opinion ahead of the Smith and Barkley debate. He said the league holds forums to inform players about the dangers of gambling.
“All these guys knew what was at stake, and I’m ashamed they put themselves, their families and the NBA in this situation,” O’Neal said. “You all know the rules, we all know the letter of the law, and it’s just unfortunate. Innocent until proven guilty, but usually when the FBI has something, they’ve got you.”
College basketball analyst Charles Barkley is on air ahead of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four championship game. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Billups, who like the men on the panel is in the Basketball Hall of Fame, left the Oregon federal courthouse on Thursday after being arrested as part of the FBI investigation, where he did not answer questions. Billups, who was allegedly involved in the investigation of fraudulent poker games, was charged with wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy.
Billups was released from custody on the condition that he surrender his passport, have no contact with more than 30 accused defendants, and do not participate in any gambling activities.
Rozier was allegedly involved in a sports gambling ring in which schemers allegedly provided non-public information about who would not play in future matches or when they would withdraw early due to injury or illness.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Rozier faked an injury when leaving the game between the Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans on March 23, 2023. Rozier allegedly told co-defendant Deniro Laster that he would remove him from the game so Laster could place a bet.
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The NBA cooperated with the investigation and immediately placed Billups and Rozier on leave.
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