Charles Barkley, Shaq sound off on NBA gambling scandal: ‘Greed and stupidity’

Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal didn’t hold back Thursday night when discussing the NBA’s gambling scandal.

During ESPN’s Inside the NBA broadcast before the Nuggets–Warriors game, both Hall of Famers unloaded on those implicated — including Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, and Damon Jones — after their arrests in connection with federal investigations into illegal gambling and poker operations tied to organized crime.

Kenny Smith opened the segment by mentioning that gambling addiction can lead people to make “illogical decisions.” Barkley immediately pushed back.

“Man, this ain’t got nothing to do with damn gambling addiction,” Barkley said. “These dudes are stupid. Under no circumstances can you fix basketball games. Rozier makes $26 million a year. How much is he gonna make from betting unders on himself? You take yourself out of games for what — a few thousand? It’s idiotic.”

Shaq, who said he personally knows both Billups and Jones, echoed Barkley’s frustration.

“I’m ashamed,” O’Neal said. “There’s an old saying in the hood — all money ain’t good money. You’re making millions and still trying to cheat the system? You can lose your career, your freedom, your reputation, and embarrass your family. It’s not worth it.”

Both men pointed out that the NBA goes out of its way to educate players and coaches on gambling rules and ethics. The league now finds itself dealing with its largest integrity crisis in decades.

Rozier is accused of using insider information to manipulate betting outcomes. Billups, according to prosecutors, participated in rigged poker games backed by Mafia crime families. Jones, a former Cavaliers assistant, is charged in both cases.

As Barkley put it, gambling isn’t the issue here.

“Greed and stupidity,” he said, “that’s the problem.”