Hundreds of thousands of dollars in sports books flagged irregular betting tied to a single NBA game. And the league, as ESPN’s Brian Windhorst revealed, saw it happen in real time. The NBA had the alerts and the signals. Yet, Terry Rozier sat out the rest of that season with what was later revealed as a fake injury. Meanwhile, Adam Silver watched, and fans are now asking just how deep the accountability goes, if it even does to begin with.

Windhorst’s reporting on the Rich Eisen Show painted an incriminating picture. “The sports books caught it. They told the NBA right away. And guess what? The NBA Rozier didn’t play the rest of the season, and he had faked the injury. So, it wasn’t because of the injury. The NBA pulled him,” he said, emphasizing a disconnect between immediate sports book warnings and the league’s internal follow-up. 

The irregular betting activity was detected on March 23, 2023, during a game between the Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans. A professional bettor placed 30 wagers within 46 minutes involving Terry Rozier’s performance. Specifically, the bettor placed $13,759 on Rozier’s statistics for that night’s game.

All 30 bets won after Rozier exited the game early because of a foot issue, finishing with just 5 points in under 10 minutes of play. However, Rozier, cleared by the league, is now part of a federal indictment alleging a network of conspirators benefiting from inside information.

Cousins, friends, and low-level bettors allegedly profited from Rozier’s game decisions. Hundreds, thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars moved in the shadows.

The NBA’s compliance mechanisms, once thought airtight, now appear mediocre. Billups, meanwhile, adds another layer to the story.

The 2004 Finals MVP and Hall of Fame inductee coached the Trail Blazers on October 22, mere hours before being arrested on federal charges tied to a rigged poker operation.

High-tech cheating, shell companies, and underground networks paint a scandal far beyond the hardwood. Rozier’s alleged role?

Using availability manipulation to fuel betting profits. The NBA responded swiftly, placing both Rozier and Billups on immediate leave. Yet, the optics of league oversight, or lack thereof, have fans questioning the highest office: Commissioner Adam Silver.

Fans demand answers from Adam Silver, putting the commissioner’s job in jeopardy

Social media broke out as fans connected the dots between the Rozier cover-up and Silver’s tenure. Comments ranged from outrage to calls for resignation.

One fan tweeted, “If this is true, Adam Silver must resign. Or NBA owners need to fire him. Honestly not sure how Silver still has a job. His predecessor David Stern is considered the gold standard of pro sports commissioners. Silver has been terrible. NBA has lost 75% of its audience because he allowed the league to go woke. And now this.” Another chimed in, referencing league history.

One user suggested that this was Adam Silver getting karma for all the TV deals and comments about watching NBA games he had previously made. “NBA is getting the ultimate karma payback for fu—– over the fans with those TV deals.” But the last straw and the most provoking comment was when a user summed up with, “PUT ADAM SILVER IN JAIL WTF.”

NBA legends have started speaking up, adding authority and weight to the discourse. Their presence amplifies the fan narrative that Silver, for many, symbolizes both the successes and perceived failures of the modern NBA. His reputation as a commissioner who protects players now contrasts sharply with concerns about league transparency.

As the investigation continues, the NBA, Silver, and all stakeholders must answer not just to federal authorities but to a fanbase unwilling to ignore irregularities. And the conversation is far from over.

The league’s next steps will determine if the trust can be restored or if the outrage remains, reshaping NBA management for years to come.