Cavs coach Bickerstaff: Bettors crossing a line
CLEVELAND — Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff recently shared some experiences he’s had with sports bettors, including a shocking incident last year.
“They got my telephone number and were sending me crazy messages about where I live, and my kids, and all that stuff,” Bickerstaff said. “It is a dangerous game and a fine line that we’re walking, for sure.”
Bickerstaff informed the NBA and the situation was handled, he said. No charges were filed, but the offender was identified. Though he feels this particular instance was resolved, it was a scary situation that could play out again with sports gambling now legal in Ohio and 38 other states.
“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 a weight,” Bickerstaff said. “A lot of times, the people who are gambling, this money pays their bill or their rent, and then there are emotions that come from that.”
It isn’t just an issue of threatening phone calls. Bickerstaff noted that fans will yell things about certain bets, hoping to influence decisions.
“No doubt it’s crossed the line,” Bickerstaff said. “I’m standing up there and we may have a 10-point lead and the spread is 11, and people are yelling at me to leave the guys in so that we can cover the spread. It’s ridiculous. I understand the business side of it and the nature of the business of it, but it’s something I believe has gone too far.”
Players, of course, bear the brunt of it.
“That’s just part of having social media nowadays,” said Jarrett Allen. “People are always worried about their parlays hitting, and you will get some threatening messages in your DMS. That’s the truth. Everybody goes through it.”