Professional athletes, like Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, have noticed the impact of sports betting on the game. Tatum admitted hearing fans’ pleas for him to hit certain bets and seeing conversations on social media about his performance. However, he remains focused on the game and doesn’t let fans’ influence affect him.
Jayson Tatum on sports betting:
“Fans yell sh** all the time, shoot one more three, get one more rebound, get 25 before the half is over… I guess I do feel bad when I don't hit people's parlays. I dont want them to lose money.”
(via @NoaDalzellNBA) pic.twitter.com/ZHxMhblvZP
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 27, 2024
Tatum and the Celtics currently hold the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Sports betting has become a prominent topic in the NBA, especially with recent news of betting irregularities involving Raptors forward Jontay Porter. The legalization of sports betting has led to more discussions and discourse surrounding the topic.
While Tatum finds it amusing, Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff has had scary experiences with fans obtaining his personal information. Sports gambling has become a significant source of revenue for professional sports leagues in the US, but there is also a darker side to it.
"They got my telephone number & were sending me crazy messages about where I live and my kids and all that stuff. So it is a dangerous game and a fine line that we're walking."
Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff on receiving threats from sports gamblers.pic.twitter.com/GN1WanMGna
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 21, 2024
Despite the controversies, sports betting looks to be a part of the league going forward. Tatum’s comments on the topic have garnered praise as the debate surrounding sports gambling continues to intensify, with fans sometimes taking out their frustrations on athletes when their bets don’t pay off.
Jayson Tatum, the Boston Celtics star, admits that he feels bad when he fails to meet the expectations of sports bettors. In a recent interview, Tatum discussed how the things fans say to him have evolved since he entered the league in 2017.
"I guess I do feel bad when I don't hit people's parlays. I don't want to them lose money."
Jayson Tatum speaks on sports betting in the NBA.pic.twitter.com/Q4Oxdq45Dq
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) March 27, 2024
He acknowledges that bettors spend a great deal of time researching and watching games, hoping to win big. Tatum has become the unlikely champion for these bettors, showing sympathy for their plight even though he doesn’t gamble himself. He admitted that he feels sorry for letting people down when he doesn’t perform well.
“Shoot one more three, get one more rebound, get 25 before the half is over… I guess I do feel bad when I don't hit people's parlays. I don't want them to lose money.”
Jayson Tatum's view on sports betting in the NBA 😅
(via @NoaDalzellNBA)pic.twitter.com/JXwl4igen7
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 27, 2024
This perspective is unusual among professional athletes, who often disregard fans’ bets. Tatum’s revelation raises questions about how common this sentiment is among players and how it affects their performance on the court.
Tatum’s empathetic stance on sports betting aligns with the increasing intersection of gambling and sports, as more fans are actively getting involved in betting. The NBA player has noticed this shift and acknowledges the impact it has on players.
In November 2021, the NBA named DraftKings and FanDuel as their co-official betting partners, leading to the legalization of sports gambling in more states, including Massachusetts. The rise in sports betting advertisements has had a negative impact on NBA personnel.
Cleveland Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff revealed that his family has received threats from anonymous bettors. Tyrese Haliburton, a player for the Indiana Pacers, also expressed discontent, stating that players are simply seen as “props” to some gamblers.
“Not everybody cares to hear how we feel… To half the world, I’m just helping them make money on DraftKings or whatever. I’m a prop.“
Tyrese Haliburton on sports betting consuming social media 🗣️
(via @RomeovilleKid) pic.twitter.com/olSRqtba7y
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 20, 2024
Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics sympathized with the situation, acknowledging that he feels bad when he doesn’t meet people’s betting expectations.
This discussion follows a potential gambling scandal involving Jontay Porter of the Toronto Raptors, who is accused of manipulating his performance to win bets.
The NBA is currently investigating the matter.
Fans reacted as follows:
Bros feeling bad for being a prop 💀
— Big Rome (@LONDO87540615) March 27, 2024
Well, Tatum over on Reb&Ast on prizepicks is pretty much a guaranteed hit, so I ain't even trippin' fr
— Ted the Mavericks guy🤠 (@ScumPablo) March 27, 2024
No joke I had money on Tatum over points against Cavs bro missed a layup with 10 seconds to go to cash me and I was at the game smh
— Atomic (@AtomicOVO) March 27, 2024
Full clip: https://t.co/u0ufJLbJx8
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzellNBA) March 27, 2024
just play better bro
— Surya 🎯 (@suryasparrowOF) March 27, 2024
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzellNBA) March 27, 2024
Respect to Tatum🫡. One of the real ones out there on those courts.. the Bums who don’t care know themselves 👎🏽
— Smart A (@Ade_Flashy) March 27, 2024
Yea righthttps://t.co/H3HwMr2pfF
— Jackson (@JacksonBucket) March 27, 2024
@NBA seems like it’s affecting player decisions. Supporting and introducing gambling is single handedly one for the worst things to back as a league. It takes all trust and integrity out of it. Don’t believe me just ask the boxing federation. No one’s watching that anymore.
— Giancs13 (@Giancs13) March 27, 2024
I’m not even a Celtics or Tatum fan but that’s so classy and kind of Tatum. He’s such a good and nice dude. This is the face of the league + he’s a top 3 player rn. And I’m a heat fan😂💯
— frieze (@friezeio) March 27, 2024
More of a problem with a player when they score near 20 in the first half, their line is 26.5, and they proceed to finish the game with 25 points. Or have 5 R or A at half, their line is 8.5, and they finish with 7. What happened during halftime that you changed so bad?
— Secret Agent Oreo (@SecretAgentOreo) March 27, 2024
Bullying and threat are real in sports
— Ultra Black (@iyblaq) March 21, 2024
Them parlays get wickedddd
— Lil Sean (@fastlanesean) March 21, 2024
We all know he lives in Calvin booths old house on the lake.
— dont hug me bro (@rizsrug216) March 21, 2024
I just became a Jason Tatum fan .
— Will from Niagara (@willy_sands) March 27, 2024
That’s a real nigga right there
— hendrixxx (@CellHendrix) March 27, 2024
those of us who don’t want to lose money have stopped betting on Jayson Tatum
— guy ritchie incognito ∛ (@ESPNLisle) March 27, 2024
It’s really not that serious. People don’t go to games just to bet lmao 😭
— Tyler (@carmeloboy7) March 27, 2024
My respect for Tatum just went up even higher.
— Pats Are Cooked (@OnlyONEGoat) March 27, 2024
In other words, millionaire upset the average person is trying to make extra money based on their job performance
— BrokeGuyBurnerAccount (@BurnerBroke) March 20, 2024
As someone who downloaded and used DraftKings won a bunch of money and then kept going until I lost and broke back even from what I won and then deleted it, I can say sports gambling sucks. I wish it wasn’t this prominent but it is now. Idk, it’s not going back tho
— Tom Sears (@LurkinTomGaming) March 20, 2024
You’re 100% right, @TyHaliburton22. Not a single person cares about your feelings on sports betting. pic.twitter.com/nUx3aZDqVY
— The Ultimate Lineup (@TheUltLineup_) March 20, 2024
Im glad they're no longer from being overpaid worshipped as gods to being overpaid and treated like people in the service industry. Noones heads have gotten bigger in the last decades than NBA players.
— Boardman Gets Pod (@GetsPod) March 20, 2024
A 260 million dollar contract & he’s tight people betting less than 1% on him doing his job. pic.twitter.com/YKawdKlkpu
— Red 🥱 (@LeakTheProblem) March 20, 2024
