Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith bicker over NBA gambling scandal on-air

[ad_1]

Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley didn’t see eye to eye whereas discussing the playing scandal that rocked the NBA on Thursday.

Throughout “Contained in the NBA” earlier than Thursday night time’s video games, host Ernie Johnson requested the crew to weigh in on the matter after the FBI arrested Warmth guard Terry Rozier, Path Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and former NBA participant Damon Jones as a part of a federal probe into unlawful playing and rigged poker video games.

Smith, who emphasised that playing is an habit, defined that it's an illogical choice of a participant to jeopardize tens of millions of {dollars} to make considerably much less on a wager — whereas Barkley disagreed and chalked it as much as stupidity.

Rozier is alleged to have facilitated bets on his personal stat strains when he knew he was going to tug himself from the sport early.

Kenny Smith on the NBA betting scandal: "Now we have to understand playing is an habit. The habit of it's what makes you make illogical choices…"

Charles Barkley: "That is not habit. That is stupidity… You may't repair basketball video games… That is simply whole… pic.twitter.com/0z27urhGw1

— Terrible Saying (@awfulannouncing) October 23, 2025

“We’re shocked as a result of when you might have entry, and also you’re on the prime of the sport, so to talk, as a coach {and professional} participant or no matter, you’re on the prime of your recreation, you might have entry to tens of millions and tens of millions of {dollars} on this league,” Smith stated. “So, it was stunning that they might put themselves in that place, presumably. After which it’s harmless till confirmed responsible.

“Now we have to understand playing is an habit. The habit of it's what makes you make illogical choices … playing is an habit which may make you make illogical choices no matter your ethnic background, no matter your bodily background, and no matter your monetary standing. So, let’s perceive that.”

Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley didn’t see eye to eye whereas discussing the playing scandal that rocked the NBA on Thursday, October 24, 2025. X

Charles Barkley blamed the NBA playing scandal on stupidity throughout “Contained in the NBA” on Thursday, October 24, 2025. X

Barkley didn’t see it that manner.

“The explanation I’m mad at Kenny is that this ain’t bought nothing to do with rattling playing habit, this ain’t bought nothing to do with habit,” Barkley stated. “These dudes are silly.

Miami Warmth guard Terry Rozier (2) brings the ball up court docket through the second half of an NBA basketball recreation in opposition to the Washington Wizards in Washington, Monday, March 31, 2025. AP

“In no way are you able to repair basketball video games. In no way. I like to gamble, the notion, Rozier makes $26 million. Him betting, giving individuals info or taking your self out of video games, how a lot is he going to learn taking himself out of the sport to get Unders? He’s making $26 million.”

Smith fired again saying, “You’re proving my level. That’s an illogical thought course of. Should you’re making $26 million to win $50,000. That’s illogical. So, you’re proving my level. It’s habit.”

Portland Path Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups leaves a federal court docket after his look on Thursday, October 23, 2025, in Portland, Ore. AP

Barkley needed to get final phrase in, including, “That’s not habit, that’s stupidity.”

Shaquille O’Neal chimed in as nicely, saying he was upset to see Rozier and Billups, in addition to Jones — who's accused of promoting info relating to gamers on the Lakers who wouldn't be current to play, particularly LeBron James — for placing the NBA and their households in a foul spot.

Former NBA participant and assistant coach Damon Jones, left, leaves Lloyd George U.S. Courthouse Thursday, October 23, 2025 in Las Vegas. AP

Observe The Publish’s newest on the playing scandal rocking the NBA:

The FBI has arrested 31 individuals concerned in a rigged poker recreation ring backed by the New York Metropolis organized crime households.

Ernest Aiello — reputed Bonanno mobster

Nelson “Spanish G” Alvarez

Louis “Lou Ap” Apicella

Ammar “Flapper Poker” Awawdeh

Saul Becher — skilled poker participant

Chauncey Billups — Portland Path Blazers coach, NBA Corridor of Famer and 2004 NBA champion

Matthew “The Wrestler” Daddino

Eric “Spooky” Earnest

Lee Fama — skilled poker participant

John Gallo

Marco Garzon

Thomas “Tommy Juice” Gelardo — reputed Lucchese mobster charged in 2013 for beating porn star girlfriend

Jamie Gilet

Tony “Black Tony” Goodson

Kenny Han

Shane “Sugar” Henne

Osman “Albanian Bruce” Hoti

Horatio Hu

Zhen “Scruli” Hu

Damon “Dee Jones” Jones — NBA participant from 1998 to 2009

Joseph Lanni

John “John South” Mazzola

Curtis Meeks

Nicholas Minucci

Michael Renzulli

Anthony Ruggiero Jr.

Anthony “Doc” Shnayderman

Robert “Black Rob” Stroud

Seth Trustman

Sophia “Pookie” Wei

Julius Ziliani

Billups is alleged to be the face of rigged poker video games allegedly backed by the Mafia that defrauded victims $7 million.

Rozier accused of rigging video games by informing bettors of data earlier than video games, particularly when he deliberate to tug himself out of a March 2023 contest with a foot damage.

He did exit that recreation with an damage and bettors allegedly profited on the data.

Billups and Rozier’s arrest are a part of two separate FBI probes into unlawful playing, respectively, Operation Royal Flush and Operation Nothing However Wager.