Sports betting has taken over the world, and the NBA is no different. While there is no harm in cashing in on one’s favorite players’ performances, the perils of betting have already transcended that boundary of happiness. The dire stakes leading to threats and online hatred are known to many, but now Cavs HC JB Bickerstaff has been added to the hate list of the bookies.
Bickerstaff, who has been in NBA coaching for two decades, has opened up about his recent troubles that could have had a grim repercussion.
J.B. Bickerstaff shares concerning details of sports bettor activities
With gambling being one of the most talked about topics lately, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ head coach JB Bickerstaff revealed shocking details of how he was threatened by sports bettors.
While speaking to the reporters in the pregame conference, the 45-year-old opened up about his shocking experience with bettors. The HC stated, “I personally have had my own instances with some of the sports gamblers, where they got my telephone number, were sending me crazy messages about where I live, and my kids and all that stuff.”
Bickerstaff had to report the incident to the NBA officials as he feared for his family. Although the liable person was caught, he faced no criminal charges.
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The Cavs HC further added that there were times when they were leading by ten points while the spread (the predicted margin of victory determined by oddsmakers) was eleven. He was even yelled at and forced to cover the spread by the bettors gambling live at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Calling it a “dangerous game” Bickerstaff expressed, “I think 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 it does carry weight.”
The topic surfaced following Indiana Pacers Tyrese Haliburton’s recent comments about gambling issues which makes him believe that he is a mere ‘prop’ to the gamblers who help them to make money.
With the dangers averted, for now, J.B. Bickerstaff can focus on the Cavs’ charge to the playoffs as his hard work is bearing fruits.
Bickerstaff’s record as Cavs HC
JB Bickerstaff was hired as the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Feb. 2020, following a horrible win-loss record of 14-40 that season. Although he did not get much time with the squad due to Covid-19, the Cavs managed a 5-6 record under their new HC.
The next season was nothing special and they recorded a poor outcome of 22-50 missing the playoffs again. However, in the 2022-2023 season, the Wine and Gold showed improvement making through the play-ins and went into the playoffs which was their first after LeBron James had left the Cavaliers.
The Cleveland franchise failed to make their mark in the playoffs and lost in the first round, but they did not give up hope. They have come back stronger this season with a 43-26 record amidst the injuries to secure the third position in the Eastern Conference table, assuring their playoff picture. Overall J.B. Bickerstaff has a 165-151 record as the Cavs HC and given the form the Cleveland-based franchise is in, that record can only improve by the end of the season.
