Few scandals have blossomed so dramatically, or had such an immediate impact, as Portland Trail Blazers Head Coach Chauncey Billups being arrested last week for participating in an illegal gambling ring. Billups was suspended by the NBA within hours. The Trail Blazers had named assistant Tiago Splitter as their new acting head coach before twilight fell. It was a momentous day, completely unexpected with long-tail ramifications as yet to be determined.

Despite the splash, Sally Jenkins of The Atlantic suggested in an article today that the accusations against Billups were a tempest in a teapot [subscription required]. The lengthy piece explored the charges facing Billups, plus fellow NBA figures Terry Rozier and Damon Jones. Jenkins suggested that of all of them, Billups’ case may be the

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