Following the arrest of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups for his purported involvement in an illegal poker operation, the franchise is now placing its trust in another former NBA player to steer the team. Tiago Splitter, currently serving as an assistant coach with the Trail Blazers, has been appointed as the interim head coach during Billups’ absence, as reported by ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania.
Splitter, who enjoyed a successful playing career with the San Antonio Spurs and Atlanta Hawks, has also gained coaching experience with the Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets. His promotion to interim coach arrives at a challenging time for the franchise, which is navigating the potential fallout from Billups’ legal issues.
With Billups likely to be sidelined for an extended period, Splitter will have the opportunity to showcase his leadership abilities and could potentially solidify his position as a permanent head coach, should the organization decide to make a change.
As the team embarks on this uncertain journey, all eyes will be on Splitter to see how he manages the responsibilities of leading the Trail Blazers during this turbulent period. The situation serves as a reminder of the complex issues surrounding the league, particularly related to gambling, a challenge the NBA is currently grappling with on multiple fronts.