When news broke that Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups had been arrested in connection with an alleged illegal gambling operation, social media lit up fast—and Kevin Love was quick to join in.
According to Sports Illustrated, the Utah Jazz forward, who has developed a reputation for his meme reactions to NBA headlines, posted a photoshopped image that featured Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier—both reportedly linked to the scandal—superimposed onto the infamous “Coldplay couple” meme. His caption read, “NO (Draft) KINGS!!!”
But not everyone found it funny.
Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard called Love out directly, commenting that the post was “weak a** s**t,” making clear he didn’t find humor in a situation affecting two people he’s close to. Billups, after all, was not only his head coach but also a former NBA Finals MVP with whom Lillard shared a deep professional respect.
The post disappeared not long after. Love later addressed the backlash in an Instagram Story, saying Lillard had reached out to him privately.
“Spoke to Dame and he opened my eyes to this being a real-life situation for two of my former teammates and brothers,” Love wrote. “I took a particular post down because we all know they are going through it—as are their collective families.”
According to federal court filings, Billups was charged with participating in an underground poker operation allegedly tied to organized crime figures in New York. Prosecutors claim the games were rigged to favor certain high-roller players and that Billups’ involvement lent an air of legitimacy to the scheme.
ESPN reports that those filings also allege Billups shared insider information about the Trail Blazers’ lineup decisions and player availability during the 2023 season as part of an attempt to influence betting outcomes.
The FBI investigation into the network of illegal wagers had been ongoing for over a year before the arrests.
Billups has been placed on administrative leave by the Trail Blazers and is expected to appear in federal court in Brooklyn on November 24.