Many people in the sports betting world will argue that to become a successful bettor in any sport, you simply must become an expert in that sport. This means learning all of the necessary metrics, statistics, storylines, players, and teams like the back of your hand. Having more knowledge about the sport will only serve to improve your chances of taking home big winnings.
It only makes sense that when it comes to a specific sport, like the NBA, the real experts like the players will be the ones making the most successful bets. The players know everything there is to know about the sport, and as such, they can see things in the game that we simply wouldn’t notice.
There are a few NBA players who have gone on to be successful bettors and make massive winnings, and we’re taking a closer look at a few of them.
Charles Barkley
Charles Barkley is one of the most iconic names and faces when it comes to the NBA. Not only was he a fantastic player but he has also become one of the most well-known commentators of the NBA, often hosting shows with television personalities like Stephen A Smith. Barkley, alongside being a player and a commentator, also has a passion for sports betting and has been building up quite the repertoire in the industry.
Charles Barkley has a mixed portfolio when it comes to sports betting, with many calling him a reckless bettor. He does, however, have a couple of big wins under his belt, along with a rule that he will never bet more than $200 000 on a single game.
Michael Jordan
If there is something that most people know about Michael Jordan, other than possibly being the greatest basketball player to ever play the game, it was that he loved gambling. Ever since Jordan was a rookie in the league, he always used to edge his teammates into betting over other teams or wagering money on card games and much more. Gambling has clearly always been a passion for the great Michael Jordan.
Jordan has never fully disclosed his sports bets, but people within the industry have stated that he has a strong record and that he is fiercely competitive when it comes to winning bets. A little similar to his playing career back in the day, Jordan is meticulous and successful when it comes to his betting career. Chances are, he takes his time looking at NBA expert picks and uses his inside knowledge to predict a winner.
JR Smith
JR Smith has always been known more for his outlandish personality and antics in the sporting world rather than his on-court achievements. That’s not to say that he wasn’t a great player in his prime, but he simply never was number one. He always took risks that were too big, despite having some flashy and unforgettable moments in the game.
His betting career is similar, as his record shows many ups and downs. He does, however, love the art of sports betting and continues to place wagers here and there in order to bring his totals into a healthy profit.