Cavs coach Bickerstaff says he obtained threats from gamblers, feels sports activities betting 'gone too far'

Cleveland Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff revealed he obtained threats from gamblers final season and reported it to the NBA.

Whereas being requested Wednesday evening about sports activities playing following feedback made by Indiana All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, who stated he generally looks like a “prop,” Bickerstaff stated gamblers contacted him.

“They obtained my phone quantity and have been sending me loopy messages about the place I stay and my children and all that stuff,” Bickerstaff stated earlier than the Cavs hosted the Miami Warmth. “So it’s a harmful sport and a superb line that we’re strolling for positive.”

Bickerstaff stated he informed safety and that the gambler was positioned.

“No expenses,” Bickerstaff stated. “However they discovered him.”

With sports activities playing rising within the U.S., Bickerstaff, who’s in his fourth full season with the Cavaliers, stated his job has turn into tougher.

“It brings added strain,” he stated. “It brings a distraction to the sport that may be tough for gamers, coaches, referees, all people that’s concerned in it. And I believe that we actually need to watch out with how shut we let it get to the sport and the safety of the people who find themselves concerned in it.

“As a result of once more, it does carry a weight. Plenty of instances the people who find themselves playing like this cash pays their mild invoice or pay their hire, after which the feelings that come from that. So I do suppose we’re strolling a really superb line and we’ve to be extraordinarily cautious in defending all people who’s concerned.”

As a result of followers can wager on their telephones within the enviornment — the Cavs have a sportsbook inside Rocket Mortage FieldHouse — Bickerstaff stated the road between playing and the sport has by no means been nearer.

“There’s little doubt about it that it’s crossed the road,” he stated. “The quantity of instances the place I’m standing up there and we could have a 10-point lead and the unfold is 11 and individuals are yelling at me to depart the fellows in in order that we will cowl the unfold, it’s ridiculous.

“However once more, I perceive the enterprise aspect of it and the character of the enterprise of it. However I imply, it’s one thing that I consider has gone too far.”

Following a latest sport in Cleveland, Minnesota heart Rudy Gobert stated he felt playing is “hurting our sport.”

Gobert made the feedback after making a “cash” gesture towards official Scott Foster, implying playing was influencing the way in which the sport was being referred to as. He was fined $100,000, the utmost that the NBA might give below phrases of the collective bargaining settlement that went into place final yr.

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