Chauncey Billups' final words in the hours before he was arrested as part of the NBA's betting scandal have emerged.
The Portland Trail Blazers head coach was among more than 30 individuals arrested on Thursday as part of two major federal indictments.
Billups is one of 31 people charged in connection with illegal poker games allegedly linked to four of the major organised crime families in New York.
According to the BBC, the accused are alleged to have rigged poker games to steal millions of dollars.
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They reportedly used a range of 'sophisticated technology,' including special contact lenses and an X-ray table capable of reading cards face down.
Victims were supposedly unaware that everyone, including the dealer and other players, was involved in the scam.
Miami Heat star Terry Rozier is one of six people arrested as part of the other indictment related to illegal sports betting.
Players and those close to them allegedly used insider information to make huge profits across major sports betting platforms.
New York police commissioner Jessica Tisch said that in March 2023, while Rozier was playing for the Charlotte Hornets, he let others close to him know he would leave the game early with 'injury'.
What did Chauncey Billups say?
Billups took charge of Portland's narrow opening-game defeat, as they lost 118-114 to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
After the game, he said: "That pressure thing is nothing to me, man.
"I do the best I can and let the chips fall where they may; you know that about me by now."
After he was arrested on Thursday, his comments sparked a reaction from basketball fans on social media.
One fan wrote: "Amazing foreshadowing."
Another added: "The NBA is a scripted comedy/drama and you will never convince me otherwise."
While one concluded: "This league is just amazing."
Billups was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year, following a legendary NBA playing career.
He is a five-time All-Star and was an NBA champion in 2004 with the Detroit Pistons, defeating the LA Lakers.
During his time in Detroit, he earned the nickname 'Mr Big Shot' for his ability to make crucial baskets late in games.
He retired from playing in 2014 and worked as a studio analyst before he turned to coaching.
After a spell as assistant coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, he became the head coach at the Portland Trail Blazers in 2021.
Following his arrest, the NBA placed him on 'immediate leave'.
Topics: NBA, Basketball
James Taylor