Kevin Love’s “No Draft Kings” Quip Draws Fire Amid NBA Betting Scrutiny

This week, the NBA faced a significant upheaval with the arrest of Portland Trail Blazers head coach and 2004 NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups, alongside Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, by the FBI amid allegations tied to a federal gambling scandal. Billups’ arrest stems from purportedly organized games since 2019 across locales like the Hamptons, Manhattan, Las Vegas, and Miami, with reported profits from this poker scheme exceeding $7 million. The investigation unfolded over two years, revealing Rozier's involvement in illicit sports betting utilizing insider knowledge from NBA personnel, a serious charge. In the aftermath, Utah Jazz player Kevin Love attempted humor on social media regarding the situation, provoking a backlash from Blazers icon Damian Lillard, who labeled the post as “weak.” Subsequently, Love apologized, stating he hadn’t grasped the gravity of the circumstances. After discussing with Lillard, Love understood the humane aspect, recognizing the impact on families involved, leading him to remove the post.

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