Cavs Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff Reveals The Threats He Receives Due To Sports Betting
J.B. Bickerstaff, the coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, disclosed to the NBA that he was threatened by gamblers the previous season.
Cavs Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff Reveals The Threats He Receives Due To Sports Betting
In response to a question about sports betting posed by Pacers All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, who mentioned that he occasionally feels like a “prop,” Bickerstaff acknowledged that bettors had been in touch with him.
J.B. Bickerstaff, the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, joined the list on Wednesday night when he disclosed that he was compelled to report the NBA threats he got from gamblers the previous season.
#Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff makes a startling revelation in explaining why he feels sports gambling has already gone too far even though he understands the business reasons behind it now being embraced by professional leagues. pic.twitter.com/O5QX6snjuE
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) March 20, 2024
“They got my telephone number and were sending me crazy messages about where I live and my kids and all that stuff,” Bickerstaff told reporters before the Cavaliers fell 107-104 to the Miami Heat. “So it is a dangerous game and a fine line that we’re walking for sure.”
Bickerstaff added that the individual was found but no charges were pressed against him.
In his fourth season as a full-time Cavaliers player, Bickerstaff noted that his work has grown more difficult due to the rise in sports gambling in the United States.
ESPN Sources: Amid a considerable franchise turnaround, Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley has agreed on a four-year contract extension that’ll take him through the 2027-2028 season. Magic are a half game out of fourth in East and top 5 in defense. pic.twitter.com/stxKIuCN8G
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 12, 2024
“It brings added pressure,” he said. “It brings a distraction to the game that can be difficult for players, coaches, referees, everybody that’s involved in it. And I think that we really have to be careful with how close we let it get to the game and the security of the people who are involved in it.
“Because again, it does carry a weight. A lot of times the people who are gambling like this money pays their light bill or pay their rent, and then the emotions that come from that. So I do think we’re walking a very fine line and we have to be extremely careful in protecting everybody who’s involved.”
According to Bickerstaff, the league must take steps to shield players, referees, and other staff members from the disruption that sports betting may bring.
J.B. Bickerstaff says he and his family have received threats over lost bets and parlays: https://t.co/prXOhcXLh7
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 20, 2024
Following a road defeat to Cleveland on March 8, Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert remarked that gambling is “hurting our game.” This prompted him to bring up NBA officials. Gobert said throughout the game that gambling had an impact on the officials; as a result, he was given a costly technical foul for making a money gesture toward an official.
Bickerstaff appears to concur with the prevailing opinion that sports betting is become too entwined with athletics for comfort.
“We really have to be careful of how close we let it get to the game and the people who are involved in it,” he stated.
J.B. Bickerstaff Says He Was Threatened By Gamblers https://t.co/bJXOVEAQvC pic.twitter.com/wj7G7RbeA4
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) March 21, 2024
How long has JB Bickerstaff been coaching?
Cleveland Cavaliers | |
---|---|
College | Oregon State (1997–1999) Minnesota (1999–2001) |
NBA draft | 2001: undrafted |
Position | Forward |
Coaching career | 2004–present |
Does JB Bickerstaff have kids?
J.B. Bickerstaff (@jbbickerstaff_) / X. Cleveland Cavaliers head coach’s official Twitter account. Father of three and proud husband!
That's a wine-and-gold winner AND a milestone victory for our @cavs head coach.
Congratulations, J.B. Bickerstaff! #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/mkYwWy9qq1
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) March 19, 2024
What is JB Bickerstaff salary?
It is reported that during his initial tenure with the Cavaliers, Bickerstaff made between $1 and $3 million a year. According to sources, he signed a new contract that is reportedly worth between $3 and $5 million year.
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