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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 >>
Numerous College Basketball teams take final big step to March Madness betting So, what turned on the lock spigot? Well, after what felt like weeks of teams treading water and slipping back into the bubble muck, a bunch of them finally decided to say "to heck with parity" and won games that should put them into the Big Dance. Disagree with some of these? Then here's the challenge. Take all of the "should be ins" and make a legit case that each should be ahead of the team that's a lock. Then find 10 more teams that also should be placed in the bracket ahead of that lock team. Not so easy, is it? If you want more evidence that these locks should be good to go, check out what our research department dug up. Since the NCAA Tournament went to 64 teams in 1985, only six teams from a "big six" conference have had a record of 10-6 or better in conference play and not been selected: Colorado (2004) and Nebraska (1999) from the Big 12, Boston College and Seton Hall (both 2003) from the Big East, Indiana (2005) from the Big Ten and UCLA, which somehow went 12-6 in the Pac-10 in 1988 and still missed out. (Note: Five teams went 11-7 and didn't get in, the latest being last season's Stanford team, which had a brutal nonconference run.) Yes, 10 conference wins doesn't always mean what it used to because of unbalanced schedules, but this season, it should be plenty good in all but the extreme cases (see: Iowa). In a way, this is a welcome development, because this is a bubble watch, not a lock watch. We can finally be done with teams like Maryland and Virginia Tech and start really bearing down on at-large battles such as Syracuse-West Virginia and Appalachian State-Georgia Tech. Interestingly, all the shifting of teams into lock status appears to be more administrative than impactful. The number of remaining available at-larges didn't change one iota. The only difference is that teams on the bubble now have a clearer idea of which team(s) they are competing with for those precious bids.
As always, I've tried to be as inclusive as possible while only including teams that would have a reasonable chance of at least being discussed if this were Selection Sunday. If your team's not on here, there's probably a good reason (or three) -- start with the RPI and SOS numbers and work your way down. (Please remember, per selection committee criteria, that records displayed are Division I only. Next update: Feb. 28) If you have a legitimate grievance, or just like talking bubble, send an e-mail. Polite ones with fact-based arguments have a much better chance of receiving a response. I apologize in advance if I can't get back to all of you. Atlantic Coast Conference Work left to do: Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech
Work left to do: Clemson [19-9 (5-9), RPI: 41, SOS: 42] The Tigers are closer to locking up the collapse of the year award (in a good battle with OK State) than they are to grabbing an at-large. Clemson's been very competitive, but there's no really positive way you can spin nine losses in 11 games. They now cannot get to .500 in ACC play and still must head to Virginia Tech in the season finale (after hosting Miami). Unless the Tigers win both and/or do some serious work in the ACC tourney, they very well could be left out. There are no great nonconference wins, but ODU, App State, Miss. State, South Carolina and Georgia are all respectable W's. Florida State [18-11 (6-9), RPI: 48, SOS: 14] The Noles got thrashed at Maryland to run their losing streak to five, but then pounded NC State at home to set the table for what likely is an elimination game at Miami. You can at least make a case for the Seminoles at 7-9 in ACC play (and some work in the ACC tourney), but 6-10 is not going to cut it. Wins at Duke and over Florida will resonate, but the computer numbers remain questionable. Beyond Florida, FSU thrashed bubble buddy Providence, but there's not a ton beyond those two games that will help. They didn't show well in big-time opportunities against Pitt and Wisconsin (before the Florida win). Georgia Tech [18-10 (6-8), RPI: 51, SOS: 46] The Jackets beat Wake on Wednesday but couldn't get it done at UVa on Saturday, which could be a crucial loss with UNC and BC (both at home) remaining and 8-8 almost a certain need for at-large consideration. A nonconference win over Memphis helps, but the RPI and SOS are not at-large quality right now; if you combine those with a sub-.500 ACC mark, that could spell NIT for GT. For more College Basketball betting lines go to MySportsbook.com Additional basketball lines can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
Sportsbook accepts U.S. credit cardsSportsbooks That Take US Credit Cards for NFL football bettingSportsbooks that take credit cards are not always easy to come by....Everything from credit card companies denying gambling transactions to the fear of chargebacks by customers has slowed down sportsbook credit card transactions by a high percentage. There are however still sportsbooks that take credit cards. When using your credit card it is highly recommended that you try either: MySportsbook.com or Sportsbooks.com. Both sportsbooks have a high rate of accepting credit cards and will save you the time and hassle of looking around the web to make a credit card transaction. |
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