“It is a dangerous game”: Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff reveals receiving death threats from gamblers last season

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has revealed that he received death threats last season from the gamblers.

The 45-year-old revealed that information while talking to the media and stated that he had to inform the police about the activity because it was a ‘dangerous game’.

"They got my telephone number and were sending me crazy messages about where I live and my kids and all that stuff," he said before his team faced the Miami Heat. "So it is a dangerous game and a fine line that we're walking for sure. No charges [on him], but they found him."

Bickerstaff further went on to highlight the issue of the increase in gambling in the United States and stated that it adds pressure and can bring distraction to the players.

"It brings added pressure,” he said. "It brings a distraction to the game that can be difficult for players, coaches, referees, everybody that's involved in it. And I think that we really have to be careful with how close we let it get to the game and the security of the people who are involved in it.

"Because again, it does carry a weight. A lot of times the people who are gambling like this money pays their light bill or pay their rent, and then the emotions that come from that. So I do think we're walking a very fine line and we have to be extremely careful in protecting everybody who's involved."