Really sloppy writing.

The movie had moments that worked like with his mother but everything else just didn't flow at all. The scene where the basketball player is called out for not giving a *beep* it didn't seem deserved and out of left field. I didn't understand why they would point this character out like this, just seemed almost random. Didn't feel natural. Why would a movie thats about gambling, set up such a serious scene about a basketball player? I get why they have him in the story but it just didn't make sense from a writing standpoint. Wahlberg's character didn't seem to change or learn anything. He didn't do anything special. Just kept betting on the same thing and never straying. Somehow he managed to get black when he needed it most? He didn't deserve it. I just kept asking myself "why?".