What is the NBA betting scandal about? Not that I’m disinterested in the Ohtani stuff—in fact, I find it fascinating—but I’m much more interested in discussing an NBA betting scandal. Is it the refs again?

It’s still very hard for me to believe Shohei knew nothing about $4.5M being transferred from his account, in his name, to a bookie.

I guess it’s possible though? I suppose the 0.0000000001% aren’t exactly checking their balance all the time, and Mizuhara might’ve had more or less free reign to do what he wanted with Ohtani’s finances.

Finally something that falls under my expertise!

It’s not possible. The checks and balances on wire transfers for the UHNW are numerous and impossible to evade.

If these transactions were actually unauthorized his financial institution would be required to make him whole, and if they did that, he’d be able to present it as evidence that proves his innocence. If he’s not doing that, it stands to reason he authorized them.

The only way it could have happened is if Ohtani gave his translator power of attorney to make transactions, which I suppose is possible but would be incredibly stupid. Even as a plot device in Rocky V it was unbelievable.

He speaks English! Mike Trout has said as much 3 years ago!

https://x.com/FabianArdaya/status/1386774036311547909

I am not sure how he would be completely in the dark like he claims he was. And who gives an interpreter the ability to wire millions from one’s account?

It would be awesome if we could get healthy.

Jontay Porter has been getting a weird number of assists lately!

– Randle is doing controlled contact but not full contact. He has been on this stage for a few weeks but has not had a setback.

– OG went through parts of shoot around – a positive step – but is still waiting for the inflammation to subside.

– Mitch is the closest of the three to coming back.

I’m excited for Mitch, but if someone told me 6 weeks ago that he would be the first to come back, I would probably be disappointed.

this is the play where og seemed to really aggravate his elbow

https://videos.nba.com/nba/pbp/media/2024/03/14/0022300960/255/8630a300-41df-e6d9-51e7-bbd8a263fb69_960x540.mp4

Did I ever tell you guys I hate you? I came here as a reasonably normal person and I am devolving into a conspiracy nut.

That god damned video! Stop it a few frames after he initially swipes at the ball and then winces in pain. Blow up the screenshot.

He grabs well above his elbow in the lower biceps region! Goddamn it!

We seem to have OG and mini-OG, which might just be the best comp for Deuce moving forward. Hopefully we have both OGs available for the playoffs.

On the other, how could we possibly have gotten through this recent stretch without his stellar play?

Our injury list should come with comments, like this:
Randle is out… bummer!
OG is out… bummer!
Burks is out… yay!