Minutes before the Portland Trail Blazers’ home opener on Wednesday, the Rip City faithful were feeling optimistic about their team’s chances this season.

Before the games, fans talked excitedly about rookie center Yang Hansen, and Trail Blazers legend Damian Lillard returning to the team. Jerren Jacobs made the drive from Vancouver, Washington and said he thought it was likely the Blazers would make the postseason for the first time since 2021.

“Everybody’s just stoked,” Jacobs said on Wednesday. “Good vibes all around. You can feel it when you’re here.”

And the team played positively in a close loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Hopes appeared high as crowds exited the Moda Center on Wednesday.

But it didn’t take long for those expectations to be turned upside down. Hours after the game, the FBI arrested Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups for his alleged role in an illegal gambling ring. The NBA quickly placed the Hall-of-Fame coach on indefinite leave. Through his attorney, Billups fiercely denied the charges and vowed to fight them.

It was, to put it simply, a stunning start to the season.

Outside the Moda Center on Friday, some fans arrived with more complicated feelings about their team’s future. Elisabeth Phillips of Portland said Billups appeared to be having a positive impact on the players.

“I just hope it doesn’t affect us too terribly,” Phillips said of the arrest. “I know how emotional people can get around their coach and the camaraderie they have together, so this could definitely have an effect on how they’re feeling.”

Fans told OPB before Friday’s tipoff they believe the team still had the pieces to succeed, but that Billups’ arrest was undoubtedly a setback. And the increasing visibility of sports gambling wasn’t lost on anyone.

“I think it’s stupid for the NBA to promote gambling like all day every day, and then be surprised when stuff like this happens,” Amir Sanaee said as he waited to enter the stadium.

Bob Hopkins, a Blazers fan for nearly 40 years, said he went to the first game and was left impressed. But he was disheartened when news about Billups’ arrest first broke.

“I think he was really having an effect on them, so this is very sad,” Hopkins said. “I just hope the players stay strong.”

Alec Carrera of Walla Walla, Washington said the scandal has tarnished his view of Billups’ tenure in Portland.

“I feel like it’s ruining the game,” Carrera said of gambling. “I feel like I’m gonna buy into the product regardless, just because I like the game so much, but it definitely makes me a little upset.”

Billups has a mixed reputation among Portland fans. He has long been a fixture in the NBA, having a decorated career that included being named most valuable player of the NBA Finals while a member of the Detroit Pistons.

But after he was hired in Portland, the team’s handling of it’s own investigation into a decades-old sexual assault allegation against Billups upset many fans. Billups settled a civil lawsuit out of court with the accuser.

On the court in Portland, his players largely struggled until late last season, when the team appeared to turn a corner and Billups signed a contract extension.

Saturday night’s game was the first led by interim head coach Tiago Splitter, who just joined the team as an assistant over the summer. In his pre-game press conference, the Brazilian who played seven years before getting into coaching, said what he could.

“We all had great experience with Chauncey and how he coached,” Splitter said in a low, reserved voice. “We are thinking of him and his family, but we got a job to do.”

Indeed, the Blazers seemed solely focused on basketball on Friday. They easily defeated a Golden State Warriors squad coming off short rest, with a final score of 139-119. Jerami Grant and Deni Avdija each had standout performances.

“We’re right there for each other,” Avdija said in a postgame interview. “We know our assignments. We’re very focused, we’re very prepared.”

The mood appeared to rebound slightly after the game, with fans ecstatic over a surprisingly dominant performance. Taron Smith of Portland said, while he was disappointed in Billups’ arrest, his fingerprints were all over the Blazer’s win.

“I feel like the team did it for Chauncey,” Smith said. “I feel like this team right here got Chauncey DNA. It got championship pedigree.”

He said the team showed a mental toughness that could carry them far, which he credited to Billups.

“Go Blazers,” Smith said. “Free Chauncey.”

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/10/25/blazers-fans-new-coach-react-to-roller-coaster-week-following-shocking-arrest/