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Too Many NBA GM's Score Low Grades In FA ClassBasketball Betting Lines07/09/2010 - New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - I'm wondering how many general managers did their homework in preparation for the greatest free agent class in NBA history, considering how many ludicrous contracts were given out. Apparently the inmates are running the asylum with the kind of money a number of mediocre-to-average players are taking to the bank with their new deals. Let's grade the significant signings up to this point. MIAMI HEAT: Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh (financials TBA) A ten-year old could have figured out it was the right move to sign these three, but you have to give Pat Riley credit for making it happen. Grade: A CHICAGO BULLS: Carlos Boozer, 5 years, $75 million This is an upgrade at the power forward position for Chicago, but with Taj Gibson having such a good rookie year, I don't know if I would've spent this much money on Boozer. Grade: B ATLANTA HAWKS: Joe Johnson 6 years, $124 million Maybe Atlanta thought it was signing Magic Johnson. Speaking of magic, it's amazing how Joe Johnson's disappearing act in the playoffs led to a max contract. John Salmons would have been a very viable alternative for the Hawks. Grade: F GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: David Lee, 6 years, $80 million Golden State gave up a talented young player in Anthony Randolph in the sign- and-trade to get Lee, who puts up good numbers but doesn't really impact games. Grade: C MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: Rudy Gay, 5 years, $81.6 million Memphis finished 40-42 and failed to make the playoffs with Gay last season, so why pay him superstar-type money? I know the Grizzlies would have faced a public relations nightmare to let Gay walk so soon after trading Pau Gasol, but you eventually pay the price for vastly overcompensating a player. Grade: D MILWAUKEE BUCKS: John Salmons, 5 years, $39 million This is clearly the steal of the free agent market so far. Salmons averaged 19.9 ppg in his 30-game stint with Milwaukee, putting up better numbers than the likes of Paul Pierce and Rudy Gay. This is called getting a bang for your buck, or should I say Bucks. Grade: A BOSTON CELTICS: Paul Pierce, 4 years, $61 million; Ray Allen, 2 years, $20 million; Jermaine O'Neal, 2-years, $11.5 million Boston might regret giving four years to Pierce, who is 33, and two years to Allen, who will turn 35 later this month. Grade: B- DALLAS MAVERICKS: Dirk Nowitzki, 4 years, $80 million; Brendan Haywood, 6 years, $55 million The Nowitzki signing was a no-brainer, but giving a 30-year old role player like Haywood a six-year deal for that kind of money makes no sense. Grade: C NEW YORK KNICKS: Amar'e Stoudemire, 5 years, $100 million Donnie Walsh was banking on the signing of Stoudemire leading to another big free agent coming to the Big Apple, but the Knicks came up empty. This is too much of an investment for someone who's not a top-10 player. Grade: C MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: Darko Milicic, 4 years, $20 million This signing proves why America is the land of opportunity. Where else could one of the biggest busts in the history of the NBA draft earn such a big pay day? Grade: I (Ignorant and Incomprehensible) LOS ANGELES LAKERS: Steve Blake, 4 years, $16 million As important as Derek Fisher was in last season's playoff run to the championship, Kobe Bryant had to guard the likes of Russell Westbrook and Rajon Rondo. The problem with the Blake signing is he's a worse defender than Fisher, and doesn't have his big-game resume. Grade: F ORLANDO MAGIC: Chris Duhon, 4 years, $15 million Orlando adds yet another player who doesn't make other players better, along with shooting 39% for his career. Grade: D QUICK DRIBBLES Lance Stephenson looks like he'll be one of the big steals of the draft. The former Cincinnati guard, who was selected with the eighth pick in the second round and number 40 overall by the Pacers, has really stood out in the NBA's Orlando Summer League. He's got size, athleticism, and good basketball skills along with an excellent feel for the game and tremendous on-court confidence. The Nets also look like they got a really good player late in the first round in Damion James. He might even be more NBA-ready than teammate Derrick Favors, who was picked third overall.
<< Report: Yankees close to acquiring Lee
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Yankees are reportedly close to acquiring pitcher Cliff Lee from the Seattle Mariners. According to the New York Post, the Yankees would send prized catching prospect Jesus Montero to Se
<< Modell: Cleveland fans will 'carry on' post-James
<< Mavs lock up C Haywood
<< Clippers add Foye, Gomes
<< Report: Heat clear more cap space, send Beasley to Minnesota
Calling Canuck fans everywhere >>
Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The word "frenzy" is often used to describe the NHL's free agency period, but sitting here today on July 9th, the word "flop" might be more appropriate in describing the excitement level amongst hockey fans.
Coroner: Turpin died of self-inflicted gunshot >>
Bruins sign Stuart to one-year deal >>
Record crowd watched Clijsters beat Serena >>
2010 FBS Positional Analysis: Tight Ends >>
Pro Football Odds : NFC SOUTH BETTING ODDSNFL betting action is back! At MySportsbook, all of the pro football odds are posted for the NFC North. Check out how we see the four teams in this cloudy division stacking up this year in the chase for the playoffs! Green Bay Packers (+125) - With QB Aaron Rodgers leading the offense and DC Dom Capers working his magic on defense, the Packers are a real force to be reckoned with. Virtually nothing changed on this offense for Green Bay from last year to this year, save for the addition of rookie OT Brian Bulaga to the bunch. Expect more huge numbers from the Pack, and a relatively favorable schedule should get them over the hump and into the playoffs once again this season. My NFL Betting Predictions: 11-5, 1st place in NFC North Minnesota Vikings (+130) - There are still too many unknowns about the Vikes this year. There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not. There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win. Chicago Bears (+350) - The Bears are probably a bit of an overhyped team once again this year.No, we don't think it is plausible for QB Jay Cutler to have as bad of a season as he did last year, and we do think the additions of RB Chester Taylor and DE Julius Peppers are going to help immensely, but there's still something in the water in the Windy City that we aren't so sure about. Maybe Chicago finds its way to .500... but then again, maybe it doesn't. If Favre comes back, Cutler might be the worst quarterback in this division this year. Detroit Lions (+1500) - The Lions are probably once again going to be the whipping boys for the rest of the teams in the NFC North, but they aren't just going to roll over and die once again. There is some real talent amassing on this team offensively, as the combination of QB Matt Stafford, RB Jahvid Best, WR Calvin Johnson, and TE Brandon Pettigrew should put a bunch of points on the board if the offensive line can even remotely hold up. The questions really lie on defense, where it feels like DT Ndamukong Suh is going to be trying to stop opposing teams all by himself. This year should show some marked improvement in the Motor City. The Patriots will make NFL betting fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash. To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.
MySportsbook.com and Kentucky Derby Offer Bonuses Well, not quite $1 million, but MySportsbook.com is offering a 75% rebate for Kentucky Derby lines. Check out the exclusive horse racing bonus for all the details. According to MySportsbook.com, the favorites for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky are: Curlin (+250); Street Sense (+500); Scat Daddy (+700); Circular Quay (+750); and Nobiz Like Shobiz (+800). Derby organizers announced this week that there will be a $1-million bonus at the 2007 Kentucky Derby odds if the first-place horse wins by more than 6 1/2 lengths – the margin of Barbaro's victory last year. The bonus would be divided Saturday among the winning trainer, jockey, owner and a charity, with each receiving 25 percent. The designated charity is the Barbaro Memorial Fund. ''It's certainly creative, it's certainly fun and it has something for the horsemen, which we always want to embrace,'' Churchill Downs president and chief executive Robert Evans said at a news conference. ''What's really cool is it will force us to remember Barbaro.'' Arkansas Derby winner Curlin – unbeaten in three career races – tries to overcome both those obstacles in Saturday's 133rd Derby. ''We're not running against history,'' trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday. ''We're running against who they load up.'' Six other horses have run in the Derby without benefit of 2-year-old races and with three or fewer starts. The best any of them managed was a sixth-place finish by Showing Up last year. ”He exudes confidence and he's got a great presence about him,'' the trainer said. ''I feel great about the position we're in. He's not worried about anything, why should you be?'' For complete odds on the Kentucky Derby, visit MySportsbook.com. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
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