After appointing assistant coach Thiago Splitter as the interim head coach in place of Chauncey Billups , Portland Blazers GM Joe Cronin addressed the team after Billups' FBI arrest as part of a gambling investigation . The news of the team's head coach sent shockwaves across the locker room, sources told NBA insider Chris Haynes.

Cronin addressed the Blazers with the shocking news surrounding Billups and who would take over, sources said, according to Haynes.

“Sources informed me that Trail Blazers General Manager Joe Cronin gathered his team together, along with the coaching staff, to inform them of the news. Sources told me that players were mute,” Haynes said. “They were shocked, and no one had a question. It was that quiet. Joe Cronin then went on to say that no one should be

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