Latest news with #NBAplayers
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Michael Porter Jr. on sports gambling impacting players, 'It's bad and it's only gonna get worse'
Professional athletes — including NBA players, but in every other sport as well — are feeling the impacts of the explosion of sports gambling in the United States. Most commonly that manifests as people — both on social media and in person — angrily lashing out at the players for not hitting points totals or other stats that would have won the angry fan their parlay, or a bet on a game. However, it can be much more than that. Michael Porter Jr. got to see that firsthand involving his younger brother Jontay Porter, who was banned from the NBA for life for betting on NBA games and "disclosing confidential information to sports bettors" about games where he intentionally "limited his participation" (took himself out early, allegedly due to injury), allowing them to win big on under prop bets. Michael Porter Jr. talked about it on the "One Night with Steiny" podcast. Currently, other gambling investigations are swirling around the NBA. Veteran guard Malik Beasley is at the center of a federal gambling probe where he allegedly bet on games and made prop bets. Also, Terry Rozier was tied to a gambling investigation, however, both the NBA and federal investigators say he played no role in any potential illegal activity. "Obviously, my brother went through his situation, "Michael Porter said..." Malik Beasley's going through a situation right now. Terry Rozier was in some hot water. But the whole sports gambling entity, it's bad and it's only gonna get worse." Porter said in the interview that gambling and the idolization of money were not serious temptations for him (while also owning that he had other vices) and that he and every player faces those challenges. With both the league and its partners having direct ties to legal betting operations in the United States, the potential negative influence of gambling is going to be an ongoing challenge for the NBA and every other professional league. Porter, like many players, recognizes this, and he deserves credit for being willing to discuss it.
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Richard Jefferson Explains Why Memphis Can Be A 'Different Energy' For NBA Players
Richard Jefferson Explains Why Memphis Can Be A 'Different Energy' For NBA Players originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Richard Jefferson is shedding light on what it can be like for NBA players adjusting to life in Memphis, highlighting cultural differences and certain neighborhoods that carry a 'different energy." Speaking on his podcast, the former NBA forward explained that while every player has their own preferences, location and lifestyle can play a big role in how comfortable they feel in a new city, especially in places with unique cultural dynamics like the Grizzlies. 'Some people like to hang out in certain areas with certain groups of people. But there's a culture shock if you grew up around predominantly black people, and then you're living in a white, smoothie yogurt land area," said Jefferson on the Road Trippin' podcast. "But if you are in these areas, there are certain cities where these areas can be a little bit more dangerous. Memphis is one of those areas where if you're hanging out in certain spots, certain clubs, certain bars, there's a little bit of a different energy there.' Not every NBA city is built the same. In fact, every NBA market has its own feel, personality, and culture that sets it apart from the rest. For NBA athletes, the ideal location to play would be somewhere that's safe, busy, but also free of any off-court distractions that hinder their development. In the case of Memphis, however, it has an especially violent reputation. The city is known for having a high crime rate, with gang activity and plenty of ways to get yourself into trouble. For those who are prepared to handle the culture shock, like former Grizzlies big man Zach Randolph was back in the day, it can be a rewarding experience. On the flip side, it can be highly damaging to one's NBA career. Just ask Ja Morant, whose entire NBA tenure has been defined by controversy. Being in Memphis since the very beginning, his rise to stardom did not come without some bumps and bruises. Right as he was making a name for himself in the NBA, his off-court lifestyle got exposed, and his history of making threats and causing trouble was finally made public. The worst of it came when he flashed his firearm on Instagram Live, leading to a massive suspension that derailed his career. Things haven't been the same for the Grizzlies since. Last season, without Ja Morant, the franchise was completely irrelevant in the West, and now they are facing major uncertainty about the future. For Morant, you could argue that the city of Memphis has been detrimental to his career. Had he played somewhere else, in a city that's much less dangerous, his career might have turned out differently. Ultimately, Jefferson's comments underline a reality many fans overlook: environment matters. The culture, neighborhoods, and lifestyle options in a city can shape a player's experience just as much as the on-court product. In a place like Memphis, that 'different energy' can either push players to focus and thrive or pull them into distractions that derail their careers. For some, it's the perfect fit. For others, it's a challenge they never fully story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Aug 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
