Former NBA champion P.J. Tucker is the latest player to go off on fan abuse related to sports betting. The forward voiced his concerns about players having to face jeers, boos, harassment and heckling from fans during NBA games.
Tucker is a veteran in the league and has been around the basketball world. The 38-year-old North Carolina native spent time in Israel, Ukraine, Greece, Italy and Germany before finally returning to the United States and securing a contract with the Phoenix Suns. The veteran has spent the last 21 years as a professional and has featured in over 900 NBA games.
Tucker recently opened up on the comments players receive from fans regarding betting.
“It’s getting outrageous,” said Tucker via The Athletic.
PJ Tucker calls out the excessive heckling from fans over gambling
“It’s getting outrageous.”
(Via https://t.co/fjkEaqxZBe) pic.twitter.com/3kgCV36umg
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 2, 2024
Online gambling is now legal in most U.S. states and we the rapid improvements in technology, fans can place bets on their phones in the arena. The increase in partnerships between the NBA and betting sites has definitely rewarded players and helped grow the league, but that comes at a price.
Indiana Pacers Tyrese Haliburton recently spoke out about hecklers and fans that are more interested in betting than the game.
“To half the world, I’m just helping them make money on DraftKings or whatever. I’m a prop,” said Haliburton
The league will have to address the issue and find a balance between protecting players and allowing fans to gamble responsibly.
