Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher said in the latest episode of the “Hustle Play” podcast that NBA criticism has only worsened since sports betting was legalized in Ontario last April.
Toronto Raptors’ Chris Boucher said NBA fans have been unfairly attacking him on social media over poor performances
Boucher, 31, revealed he has received plenty of hate-fueled criticism via social media. He said fans have been unfairly attacking him repeatedly on X and Instagram over what fans perceive as poor performances.
“It’s just people want to put you in trouble,” Boucher said. “People want you to do what they want and what they see you for. And that’s the issue. And the betting is not going to make it better now with the parlays and all that.
“Somebody said, ‘I chose the wrong slave today.’ They literally sent me that message. I had to read it. I couldn’t believe it.”
Boucher said the fan was upset because the gambler only received five points from the seven-year veteran when he needed 10 to cash his bet. Losses are all a part of gambling. However, NBA players are becoming less inclined to interact with fans at arenas due to hostile bettors.
“And now, guess what, the players now they don’t really mess with the fans as much,” Boucher said. “We’re lucky we’re in Toronto, and we got the best fans. But I’m saying, imagine if you get messages like this.
“Now, you don’t really want to — you don’t know why that person is talking to you. I need you to score 10 today. Do I really want to talk to you now? Because if I score eight, you’re going to flame my Twitter, my Instagram, and everything.”
Phoenix Suns star Bradley Beal was investigated by the Orlando Police Department last year over an alleged altercation with a gambler
Boucher said the hateful comments will eventually take a toll on the players.
“It gets to you,” he added. “Now [it seems you have to] delete all [of] your social [media profiles]? Now you’re losing your life, the life that you’d be living. And everything changed. So, I could see how somebody could lose their mind over this really clearly.”
Furthermore, ex-Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal was reportedly investigated by the Orlando Police Department last year over an alleged altercation with two fans.
The police report states that one of the individuals targeted Beal over losing a $1,300 bet. This led to a physical confrontation between the All-Star guard and the gambler. Beal allegedly swatted at the man’s head, knocking off his hat.
In March, then-Cleveland Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff also revealed that he received threats from gamblers during the 2022-23 season and reported it to the NBA. He said they “got my telephone number” and “were sending me crazy messages about where I live and my kids.”
