The Portland Trail Blazers found themselves in the spotlight for unexpected reasons as the new NBA season commenced. With head coach Chauncey Billups at the center of a federal gambling investigation, the team had to quickly adapt to unforeseen changes.
Chauncey Billups, alongside Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier, was taken into custody on Thursday, accused of being part of a scheme involving illicit poker games. The charges suggest Billups was engaged in fixing high-stakes card games, a claim that has sent shockwaves through the basketball community.
The arrest took place at Billups’ residence in Lake Oswego, just a short time after the Blazers fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves in their season opener. The atmosphere was tense as players prepared to face the Golden State Warriors without their coach.
Forward Deni Avdija shared the team’s concern, stating, “It’s not an easy situation. We’re thinking about him and his family. We really love Chauncey and what he’s done for this organization. I don’t know the details and I don’t really want to get into that. I’m trying to focus on the game.”
Following the arrests, the NBA placed both Billups and Rozier on leave, prompting the Blazers to appoint assistant coach Tiago Splitter as the interim head coach. Splitter, who has a background as a former NBA player, was put to the test immediately.
Addressing the media ahead of the game against the Warriors, Splitter remarked on the team’s mindset, “Not great, not great. But like I said, we’ve got to move forward, we’ve a job to do. We have a great opportunity in front of us to have a good season with this team and I’m excited about that.”
The team responded positively under Splitter’s guidance, securing a 139-119 victory over the Warriors. In a moment of celebration, players showered Splitter with ice water, a gesture of camaraderie and support.
Splitter, who joined the Blazers’ staff in June, is no stranger to high-pressure scenarios. He previously played in the NBA with teams such as San Antonio, winning a championship in 2014, before retiring from professional basketball in 2018. Post-retirement, he coached Paris Basketball in France and worked with the Houston Rockets.
The start of the season had been filled with optimism, especially with the return of Damian Lillard. Although sidelined due to an Achilles injury, Lillard was warmly welcomed at the season opener and pledged to mentor the team’s emerging stars.
Reflecting on the surprising turn of events, fan Mitch Weaver expressed his shock, “I was stunned. Shocked. I think everybody was. We had Dame back. Everything was looking up.”
Adding to the off-court drama, the Blazers’ ownership situation was settled recently with the sale to a group led by Tom Dundon, ensuring the team remains in Portland. Read more about this development here.
Billups faces charges related to a poker scheme that allegedly defrauded victims of at least $7 million. His arrest was part of a larger operation involving 31 individuals, some of whom are reportedly linked to Mafia families.
During his tenure as head coach, Billups led the Blazers to a 36-46 record last season. Despite missing the playoffs for four consecutive years, he secured a contract extension in April. Billups’ storied NBA career includes a 2004 championship with Detroit and a spot in the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame as of October last year.
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