The Dan Patrick Show

Hour 1 – Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups Arrested in Gambling Probe

Date: October 23, 2025
Podcast: The Dan Patrick Show (iHeartPodcasts & Dan Patrick Podcast Network)
Host: Dan Patrick
Co-hosts/producers: Paulie, Marvin, Seaton

Episode Overview

This episode opens with breaking sports news: both Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier have been arrested in connection with a federal gambling probe. Dan and the crew react live to the reports, analyze the details as they emerge, and discuss the wider implications for the NBA and sports gambling. They also touch on standout NBA performances from season openers, changing attitudes toward sports betting, the proliferation of gambling-related scandals, and the cultural influence of athletic shoe brands.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Breaking News – NBA Gambling Arrests

(Timestamp: 03:41-05:20, 12:48-19:10, 24:02-28:10)

• Details:

  • Chauncey Billups, current Portland Trail Blazers head coach, was arrested for alleged illegal gambling.
  • Terry Rozier, Miami Heat guard, arrested as part of an ongoing sports betting probe (dating back 10 months; original investigation focused on his time with the Hornets and "unusual betting activity" in 2023).
  • FBI (Cash Patel) scheduled a press conference in New York within the hour.
  • Reports indicate Billups' investigation does not concern betting as a coach; Rozier’s case may involve betting on games he played in.
  • Pablo Torre reports “there is a lot more to come.”

• Context:

  • Dan compares the timing to recent NCAA policy changes allowing athletes to bet on professional sports.
  • Ongoing discussion in Ohio about extending betting rights even to high school athletes (13:53).

• Key Quotation:

  • “Once you’re under investigation is one thing. When the FBI’s holding a press conference and you’re arrested, that’s when it gets different.”
    — Dan Patrick (12:57)

2. The Precedent and Recent Gambling Scandals

(Timestamp: 13:15-14:10)

• Comment on the frequency of such scandals:

  • Gilbert Arenas was arrested four months ago for allegedly hosting illegal poker games.
  • Marvin: "This is the second group of NBA players that the FBI has arrested for poker games in the last four months." (13:15)

• Discussion on the Line Between Legal and Illegal Poker

  • If a poker game is private and for fun, usually a non-issue. When organized for profit, especially with rotating invitees and the house taking a cut—it becomes a potential legal problem (26:11-27:07).
  • Tax avoidance and lack of reporting are cited as key issues.

3. Danger and Psychology of Gambling in Sports

(Timestamp: 14:00-16:11)

• Dan shares a personal anecdote about nearly falling deep into sports gambling, warning about the addictive and escalating nature of betting:

  • “You don’t bet less, you bet more... All of a sudden, you try to make up for it... I bring back such bad memories.” (14:18)
  • Raises concern that athletes with high incomes (e.g., Rozier: $138 million earned; Billups: $107 million as player, $2 million+ as coach) are susceptible not for financial reasons but for "the rush." (15:46)

• Marvin: “These guys are still risking it—for the rush, I guess.” (15:46)

• Dan also warns parents about letting kids have access to betting platforms via credit cards (14:36).

4. Legal and Ethical Questions About Private Poker

(Timestamp: 17:15-18:36, 26:11-27:07, 32:44-33:11)

• Crew debates the legality of high-stakes poker among wealthy individuals—echoing the film "Molly’s Game" (18:01-18:03).
• Marvin: "If someone's hosting... and they keep part of the winnings... that's what more of this is about," (26:46); it moves from a private game to an illegal gaming operation.
• The state’s main concern is usually unreported income/taxes, not the act of playing poker itself.

5. NBA Reaction and Organizational Ramifications

(Timestamp: 19:22-19:38)

• Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner, is likely given advanced notice to prepare a public statement; Dan doubts the league can interfere with a federal investigation.

6. NBA Season Openers and Player Performances

(Timestamp: 05:25-13:00, 45:58-49:24)

• Dan gives a rapid-fire recap of NBA’s opening night:
  • Victor Wembanyama’s monster game: 40 points, 15 rebounds, 3 blocks (Play of the Day, 45:58), eliciting awe from broadcaster Jay Bilas: “It looked like when you play Nerf basketball in your bedroom… You’re dominating, dunking on everybody.” (06:15)
  • Four players with 40+ points in openers: Wembanyama, Anthony Edwards (41), Tyrese Maxey (40), VJ Edgecombe (34).
  • Joel Embiid appears “a shell of himself... tough to watch what used to be.” (07:30)
• Discussion of Wembanyama’s uniqueness and potential as an all-time great ("call him CGI," 08:03).
• The iconic NBA on TNT crew (Charles Barkley, Shaq, Ernie, Kenny) now appears on ESPN; Dan urges ESPN not to change the show, “just add water and stir.” (11:00)

7. Sports, Shoe Brands, and Cultural Shifts

(Timestamp: 29:36-32:44)

• Discussion shifts to the influence of shoe companies (Adidas, Nike, New Balance, Under Armour) in college and professional sports.
• New Balance’s rebrand as a modern, youth-oriented brand, now sponsoring stars like Kawhi Leonard, Shohei Ohtani, Coco Gauff, and up-and-coming NBA stars.
• Paulie: “Fifteen years ago, New Balance was... dad running to the store, cargo shorts. Now, they got Ohtani. Did they get... Kawhi.” (31:04)

8. Fan Calls and Analysis

(Timestamp: 28:11-36:43)

• Callers weigh in on gambling’s impact on sports integrity, speculation about political overtones to NBA investigations, and whether increased sports betting could undermine public trust in competition.
• Dan cautions: these are FBI matters, not NBA/league decisions.
• Further discussion of the “boringly great” player archetype and shoe culture (James Worthy’s New Balance deal, 50:14).

9. Wembanyama & Shohei Ohtani – Who’s the Bigger Unicorn?

(Timestamp: 33:45-36:43, 37:31-39:50)

• The crew debates who is more of a "unicorn": Victor Wembanyama (an otherworldly 7’4” do-it-all) or Shohei Ohtani (all-time two-way baseball star).
• Quoting Deion Sanders on Ohtani: “He’s doing something that’s unfathomable… I hope he opens the door for others.” (37:31)
• Marvin: “Ohtani convinced baseball to change their policies of 100 years to not let people pitch and hit full time.” (37:31)
• Dan: “Wemby, I think, is going to be the MVP. Multiple MVPs. Luka is there. Anthony Edwards is there. You do have a wave of next great players.” (36:21)

Noteworthy Quotes & Moments

• On gambling’s risk:
  “I bring back such bad memories... I almost learned the hard way. I haven’t placed a bet in, I think, over 30 years... Vegas builds those beautiful hotels because we don’t win.”
  — Dan Patrick (14:18-15:44)
• On Billups/Rozier news:
  “Imagine, you finally get a head coaching position and that’s now in serious jeopardy.”
  — Dan Patrick (19:09)
• On Wembanyama’s NBA debut:
  "There’s a... they should call him CGI because it just doesn’t seem real sometimes when you’re watching.”
  — Dan Patrick (08:03)
• Jay Bilas on Wemby:
  "It’s like playing against your dad in the driveway when you’re eight years old." (Play of the Day, 45:58)
• On shoe companies’ influence:
  “The shoe companies have been running college sports for a long, long, long time.”
  — Dan Patrick (29:36)
• On legal vs illegal poker:
  “If someone's hosting... and they keep part of the winnings...that's what more of this is about.”
  — Marvin (26:46)

Important Timestamps & Segments

• 03:41: Breaking news: Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier arrested in gambling probe.
• 13:15: Parallels to Gilbert Arenas gambling case; discussion of recent FBI interest in NBA poker games.
• 14:00: Dan shares personal experience with gambling addiction and its dangers.
• 19:09: Discussion on how news impacts NBA image and leadership.
• 26:03-27:07: Poll Question: Should private high-stakes poker games be illegal?
• 28:11-36:43: Caller segment—social justice/politics in the NBA, influence of shoe companies, public trust in sports.
• 33:45: Poll: Who is more of a unicorn—Wembanyama or Ohtani?
• 45:58: “Play of the Day”—Victor Wembanyama’s highlight sequence and Jay Bilas’ memorable call.
• 50:14: NBA shoe trivia—James Worthy, New Balance history, cultural transition.

Episode Tone & Style

• Lively, humorous, and unscripted “barbershop” sports talk.
• Dan’s tone is experienced and cautionary, candid on gambling dangers.
• Frequent witty banter among crew; nostalgic references amid live news.

Summary

This episode captures an unusual morning in the sports world as Dan Patrick and his crew tackle the seismic news of NBA figures ensnared in federal gambling allegations. They unpack what’s known about the cases of Rozier and Billups, warn about the slippery slope of sports betting—even for multi-millionaire athletes—and reflect on an electrifying opening night of NBA action. Sprinkled between are reflections on branding, ethics, fandom, and the ever-evolving culture around sports, with memorable moments coming from listener calls, pop culture tangents, and the pure wonder of seeing a generational talent like Victor Wembanyama take flight.