Copyright Essentially Sports
The fallout from the NBA’s gambling-related arrests continues to ripple across the league as the scandal involving Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, and Damon Jones draws harsh criticism of accountability. League commissioner Adam Silver has faced much increased scrutiny amid this situation, especially with sports betting’s relationship with the NBA. Recently, Shaquille O’Neal spoke up, coming to Silver’s defense. O’Neal, on the Today Show, was disappointed with how the league had been sullied in the eyes of the public. “It definitely puts a black eye on the league,” O’Neal said, shaking his head. “My take on it is, why would you do certain things to jeopardize your brand, jeopardize your team, and jeopardize your family?” ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad He didn’t stop there, placing his trust in Adam Silver. “Adam Silver is going to do a great job. Law enforcement, they’re going to do a great job of cleaning it up – and it should be cleaned up.” Shaq made it clear that he wants those responsible to face the required punishment and penalties. For Shaq, this goes beyond just headlines. It’s about protecting the brotherhood and the game that changed his life. “I remember growing up, you know, the game was pure, and it needs to remain pure,” he said. “I like to call it this thing of ours, and this thing of ours are making great money now. You know, Charles Barkley always talks about how the most he made was $2 million. Now you’ve got guys making $30, $40, $50, $60, $70 million. So we definitely need to protect this thing of ours, and I can’t wait until they clean it all up.” ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad This isn’t the first time Shaq has spoken about the gambling scandal. Earlier this week, O’Neal, during his appearance on Inside the NBA, said, “All money ain’t good money. So if you’re making $9 million … how much more do you need? Especially if you know you get caught, you could do jail time, lose your career, put a bad image on yourself or your family or the NBA.” In an era where income and image are more intertwined than ever, Shaq’s words serve as a reminder that a legacy, once tainted, can’t ever return to the way it was. Draymond Green Echoes Support for Silver Amid Fallout Shaquille O’Neal isn’t the only person to express support for Adam Silver. Warriors forward and outspoken personality Draymond Green has never been shy about controversy, and was a vocal defender of Adam Silver against the rising criticism. Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports “You go to any sport, any organization, any league, there’s bad apples everywhere,” Green said on The Draymond Green Show. “But let’s not try to act like Adam Silver has just built this league that does not care about people gambling.” He referred to an incident where he implied that a referee cared about the point spread during a Warriors game, and was subsequently fined, indicating that the NBA isn’t just turning a blind eye. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad While he acknowledged the poor optics of the NBA‘s sportsbook partnerships, Green dismissed the idea that Silver had fostered corruption. “Stop the b——-,” he added. “Cut it out. We watch these gambling videos every year. They’re on top of this.” This alignment between the Hall of Famer and the All-Star highlights a rare moment of unity. Shaq and Draymond, who are separated by generations, both called for balance: protecting the purity of the game without demonizing its leadership. As the NBA tries to restore the lost trust, this shared stance might prove to be powerful.
