Rozier's Rocky Road: The Flicker of Suspicion
Audience Lampoons Terry Rozier's Disappointing Performance, Allegedly Suggesting Favoritism at Play
The basketball community can't help but chuckle at Terry Rozier's abysmal performance recently, with some jokingly suggesting he might be dabbling in some wicked shenanigans - or so they say.
A quick peek at the numbers might not raise too many eyebrows: 12 points, one rebound, and two assists. They're not that far off from his season averages (11.8/3.9/2.8). But delve deeper, and you'll start to see a different picture.
Three of 14 shot attempts, one of eight from three-point range, four turnovers - it's these numbers that have left fans scratching their heads and murmuring about Rozier's possible tie to unscrupulous betting schemes.
Where the Rubber Meets the Road
But even that's not enough to raise red flags. Even the best players have off nights, right? Well, sort of. It's the way those shots missed and the brazenness of those turnovers that have raised eyebrows and sent fans' minds racing about the ongoing federal investigation into Rozier. Check out the video compilations circulating on social media.
Reactions to these videos are laced with humor and skepticism, with many gleefully implicating Rozier in shady deals. "He's throwing games," one person quipped. "That's what sports betting looks like," replied another.
One X forum poster even quipped, "Them Terry Rozier gambling allegations gotta be real. Bro in DEBT. He in way too deep with them people."
Under the Microscope
Back in January, the Wall Street Journal unveiled that Rozier had been under federal investigation for his suspected manipulation of game performances as part of a sprawling betting ring entangling both NBA and collegiate games. This investigation has reportedly been going on for nearly two years and has even implicated the Toronto Raptors' Jontay Porter[1][2][3].
The troubling game, which took place on March 23, 2023, between the Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans, saw Rozier - who was having one of his best scoring seasons, averaging 21.1 points per game - disappear after just nine minutes due to a supposed foot injury.
Some betting outlets even stopped taking Rozier-related prop bets, as betting integrity monitors spotted unusually high betting activity on Rozier's "under" prop bets[3].
Rozier missed the final eight games of the season as the Hornets finished with the fourth-worst record in the league. The NBA, aware of the integrity issues, conducted its own investigation and found that Rozier did not violate any rules. However, the league is now cooperating with the federal investigation[3].
Rozier himself has not been charged with or accused of any crimes.
[1] Federal Investigation of Terry Rozier: A Deep Dive[2] New Details Emerge in Terry Rozier's Federal Investigation[3] NBA's Struggle with Prediction Markets and Integrity Risks[4] Has Terry Rozier's Performance Suffered Due to the Investigation?
Sports-analysis reports are questioning Terry Rozier's performance due to his unusual play in a recent game, with some suggesting a link to crime-and-justice and gambling related issues. A video compilation on social media showcases Rozier's missed shots and turnovers that have raised eyebrows. Rozier has been under federal investigation for suspected manipulation of game performances as part of a betting ring, with the investigation involving both NBA and collegiate games.
