Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue offered public support for Chauncey Billups following the Trail Blazers coach’s arrest in an illegal gambling probe.
Speaking before the Clippers’ 114–107 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, Lue emphasized his long-standing relationship with Billups. “I believe in Chauncey’s character. I know who he is as a person. I’ve been with him since I was 17 years old,” Lue said, according to ESPN’s Ramon Shelburne.
Lue noted the personal connection, highlighting that he is the godfather to Billups’ three daughters. “It’s hard to see something like this happen,” he added. “He has my love and support always.”
The Hall of Fame coach was arrested Thursday at his Portland home and is accused of participating in mafia-linked illegal poker operations across New York, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. Billups and several co-defendants allegedly used rigged shuffling devices and other technology to defraud high-stakes players.
Despite the legal proceedings, Lue said Billups remained confident. “When you’ve known somebody so long, you can just tell by their voice — if he’s OK. Like I said, he’s confident in what’s going on,” Lue said. He added that the hardest part for Billups has been managing the impact on his family.
Federal authorities described the operation as a sophisticated multi-state criminal enterprise involving wire fraud, money laundering, and extortion. Prosecutors allege that Billups and former NBA player Damon Jones acted as “face cards” to attract victims to rigged poker games. Victims were reportedly cheated out of tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars per session.
Billups was released on bail and must surrender his passport, with travel restricted outside New York until trial. The NBA has placed him on leave, and Portland named Tiago Splitter as interim head coach.
Lue stressed that knowing Billups personally makes a difference in understanding his character. “It’s just hard to see him go through something like this, along with his three girls and his wife, Piper,” he said. “So just hearing his voice, I can just see that he’s OK. That was good to hear.”
The arrests, which also include Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, have created widespread uncertainty across the league, with more federal investigations expected.
