Quick Read
- Tiago Splitter named interim coach of Portland Trail Blazers following Chauncey Billups’ arrest for alleged involvement in illegal, rigged poker games.
- Billups faces federal charges of wire fraud and money laundering; placed on immediate leave by the team and the NBA.
- Splitter previously won an NBA championship with the Spurs and led Paris Basketball to a French Cup title as head coach.
- Portland’s coaching staff is largely new, with Splitter among four assistants in their first year.
- Billups’ next court date is scheduled for November 24.
NBA in Turmoil: Chauncey Billups’ Arrest Leads to Swift Changes in Portland
Thursday morning, the Portland Trail Blazers found themselves at the center of an NBA storm. Head coach Chauncey Billups, once a respected figure in basketball, was arrested and indicted on federal charges tied to a network of illegal, high-stakes poker games. The games, allegedly rigged using technology and elaborate cheating methods, were reportedly operated by East Coast organized crime families. According to the indictment, Billups played a pivotal role in luring wealthy participants into games stacked against them.
As news broke, the Trail Blazers canceled scheduled media events. The organization released a terse statement: “We are aware of the allegations involving head coach Chauncey Billups, and the Trail Blazers are fully cooperating with the investigation. Billups has been placed on immediate leave, and Tiago Splitter will assume head coaching duties in the interim.” The NBA echoed the seriousness of the situation, emphasizing its commitment to the integrity of the game and announcing that both Billups and Miami Heat player Terry Rozier—charged in a related case—were being placed on immediate leave.
Tiago Splitter: From Champion to Crisis Leader
Into this swirl of uncertainty steps Tiago Splitter, a figure whose career has quietly built toward moments like this. Splitter, the 6’11” Brazilian big man, forged his reputation over seven seasons in the NBA, most notably as a key contributor to the San Antonio Spurs’ 2014 championship run. His journey didn’t end on the hardwood. After retiring, Splitter transitioned into coaching, first as an assistant in Brooklyn and Houston, then as head coach of Paris Basketball. His tenure in Paris was marked by significant achievements, including leading the club to its first-ever French Basketball Cup championship and steering them into the EuroLeague playoffs.
Splitter’s coaching resume might not feature lengthy NBA head coaching experience, but his international success and ability to adapt have made him a compelling choice for the Blazers. This season, Splitter joined Portland as an assistant under Billups, bringing with him a fresh perspective and a reputation for tactical acumen. Now, the Blazers’ front office has placed their trust in him to guide the team through a period of immense uncertainty.
Behind the Indictment: Allegations That Rocked the League
The indictment against Billups reads like something out of a crime drama. Prosecutors allege that Billups, alongside former NBA player Damon Jones and other co-conspirators, acted as “face cards”—high-profile draws for illegal poker games. These games, which spanned at least as far back as 2019, were run not only in Portland but also in Las Vegas, drawing in celebrities and high-net-worth individuals.
Far from being mere hosts, the organizers allegedly rigged the games using sophisticated technology: shuffle machines designed to manipulate card order, X-ray tables capable of reading face-down cards, and even specially engineered contact lenses and eyeglasses to decode premarked cards. The result, prosecutors claim, was a calculated effort to defraud participants out of tens of millions of dollars. Billups’ role, according to the indictment, was not just passive—he received a cut of the proceeds and provided insider access to game information. In one notable instance, the indictment references a March 2023 Trail Blazers game where late roster changes—announced by Billups—allegedly influenced betting outcomes, hinting at a deeper, more systemic breach of trust within the sport.
On Thursday afternoon, Billups appeared before Judge Jolie Russo in the U.S. District Court in Portland. Released on bond, he agreed to travel restrictions and surrendered his passport. His next court date is set for November 24, but the questions swirling around his future—and the NBA’s response—are unlikely to be resolved quickly.
Portland’s Next Steps: Leadership and Uncertainty
With Billups on leave and the organization facing scrutiny, the Trail Blazers have turned to Splitter to steady the ship. His first test comes Friday, when Portland hosts the Golden State Warriors. The timing could not be more challenging: Portland is coming off a narrow loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in their season opener, and the coaching staff is largely new to the team, with four of six assistants in their first year. James Posey and Ronnie Burrell are the only returning assistants with two years of tenure, adding to the sense of transition.
There was speculation that veteran assistant Nate Bjorkgren, who previously filled in when Billups was absent, might get the interim nod. Instead, Portland’s front office opted for Splitter, betting on his blend of international head coaching experience and fresh perspective. The decision signals not just a tactical shift, but a cultural one—an attempt to turn the page and bring stability in a time of upheaval.
Splitter’s approach is likely to be shaped by his experiences abroad and his philosophy of team-first basketball. In Paris, he was known for building resilient squads that could adapt to adversity. Now, he faces perhaps his greatest challenge: leading an NBA team through a storm not of its own making, with the eyes of the league and its fans watching every move.
NBA Integrity Under the Microscope
For the NBA, the ramifications of the Billups case go beyond Portland. The league has faced periodic scandals, but the allegations of rigged games and insider betting strike at the heart of its credibility. The NBA’s statement underscored a zero-tolerance stance, with commissioner Adam Silver vowing full cooperation with federal investigators. “The integrity of our game remains our top priority,” the league said, as it works to reassure players, coaches, and fans that trust can be rebuilt.
Yet, for many, the situation raises uncomfortable questions. How deep do these schemes run? How vulnerable is the league to insider manipulation? And what lessons can be drawn to safeguard the future of professional basketball?
As the Blazers prepare for their next game, the organization and its new interim coach face a delicate balancing act: keeping the team focused on the court while navigating the fallout off it. The journey ahead will test not only Splitter’s leadership but also the NBA’s capacity for transparency and reform.
Splitter’s appointment as interim coach marks a pivotal moment for Portland and the NBA. It is a test of resilience—for a team seeking stability, for a league defending its reputation, and for a coach stepping into the unknown. Whether Splitter can unify the Blazers and guide them through the turmoil remains to be seen, but his track record suggests a readiness to meet the challenge head-on. The NBA, meanwhile, must reckon with the deeper issues exposed by this scandal, ensuring that integrity, not just talent, defines its future.