Comedian JP Sears unleashed a biting satire on the NBA’s latest gambling crisis during a recent episode of his show, We Lie to You News. His parody segment mocked the league’s integrity amid arrests of key figures like Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.
Sears, playing a deadpan news anchor, opened with a jab at the scandal’s ties to organized crime. “An illegal game rigging and betting operation has rocked the National Basketball Activism League,” he quipped, setting the tone for his takedown.
NBA insider Shams Charania previously detailed the fallout on Inside the NBA. He explained Rozier’s two-year run of leaking details to bettors, linking it to a prior Jontay Porter case involving five co-conspirators.
Billups faced charges in a mafia-backed poker ring across New York, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. Charania pointed out how the operation ballooned from a small group to over 30 arrests, including Damon Jones, who allegedly tipped off networks about LeBron James sitting out games.
Sears amplified the absurdity in his routine, feigning shock at corruption in a league with deep Black Lives Matter links. “It is truly shocking to learn that a league with heavy ties to the BLM organization, whose founders have embezzled millions of dollars, has corruption in it,” he deadpanned.
The comedian targeted the NBA’s social stances next, questioning its preachiness on inclusivity. “And it’s unfathomable to think that a league that goes hard for Pride Month could have immoral behavior that’s damaging to its reputation,” Sears continued. He added, “And it’s hard to believe that a league that preaches inclusivity yet is dominated by just one race and includes no gay, trans, or short people representation could be out of integrity.”
In the skit, Sears grilled a fictional NBA commissioner Adam Silver on the mess. When asked about a past league probe into Rozier, the character admitted, “We frankly couldn’t find anything.” Sears shot back, “Oh, I’m sure you couldn’t.”
The parody peaked with a mock interview on betting ties. Sears pressed on the DraftKings partnership: “How has the business relationship been with DraftKings over the years?” The commissioner replied, “It’s been spectacular.” Sears retorted, “I’ll bet it has.”
Charania noted the league’s limited prior investigation into Rozier due to lacking federal reach. The FBI’s probe uncovered wire fraud, money laundering, and extortion in the multi-state scheme.
Both suspects appeared in federal court last Thursday and posted bail. Rozier put up a $6 million home as collateral and surrendered his passport, while Billups must do the same and stay in New York until trial.
Portland tapped Tiago Splitter as interim coach in Billups’ absence. Rozier, locked into a $26 million deal, and Billups, fresh off an extension, now await trial outcomes that could derail their paths.
Sears wrapped his bit with ironic solidarity. “There’s nothing more important to the league and its fans than the integrity of the competition,” Silver’s quote was played. “Sure, Commissioner. We all know that and stand in solidarity with you about the league’s commitment to integrity.”
The NBA monitors the probe closely, with more arrests possible. Charania called it a “massive” hit to teams and players alike.
