Cavaliers’ J.B. Bickerstaff says he is been threatened by gamblers

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

Whereas being requested Wednesday night time about sports activities playing following feedback made by Pacers All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, who stated he typically appears like a “prop,” Bickerstaff stated gamblers contacted him.

“They received my phone quantity and had 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 recreation and a effective line that we’re strolling for certain.”

Bickerstaff stated he advised safety and that the gambler was situated.

“No fees,” 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 develop into more difficult.

“It brings added stress,” he stated. “It brings a distraction to the sport that may be tough for gamers, coaches, referees, everyone that is concerned in it. And I believe that we actually should 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. A whole lot of instances the people who find themselves playing like this cash pays their mild invoice or pay their lease, after which the feelings that come from that. So I do assume we’re strolling a really effective line and now we have to be extraordinarily cautious in defending everyone 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 is not any doubt about it that it is crossed the road,” Bickerstaff stated. “The quantity of instances the place I am standing up there and we could have a 10-point lead and the unfold is 11 and individuals are yelling at me to go away the blokes in in order that we are able to cowl the unfold, it is 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 current recreation in Cleveland, Minnesota middle Rudy Gobert stated he felt playing is “hurting our recreation.”

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 may give below phrases of the collective bargaining settlement that went into place final yr.