Julius Erving is the man who turned the slam dunk into an art form and helped make the NBA what it is today. As the betting experts at 5 dimes and bet sports will attest, before there was Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant there was Julius Erving. He is one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA but it was his ability to make the spectacular play that has made him so popular over the years. He was a small forward who was not a great shooter but when he drove to the basket some of the plays he made were so spectacular that it can take an observer’s breath away.

Before Julius Erving started dunking in the NBA the dunk was the domain of the centers. Yes, other players could do it as well but centers and power forwards were the only players who seemed to do it with regularity. That was before Julius Erving. He dunked from the foul line in an NBA All Star game and it was so graceful that it seemed like he was never going to come down. It was something that had never been seen before. In the NBA finals against the Los Angeles Lakers he jumped from one side of the key and went to the other side of the key, behind the backboard in the air to score a basket against Magic Johnson and Michael Cooper.

However, his incredible high flying acts were accomplished with grace and dignity. He was the ultimate flag bearer for the NBA and helped it make the leap into the living room of families throughout the United States.

When you watch the NBA and all the great athletes you see remember this one statement: the predecessor of these athletes and arguably the greatest one of all to this day is Julius Erving.

One of the greatest NBA players of all-time, Wilton Norman “Wilt” Chamberlain will always be remembered for all that he gave to the game of basketball. A two-time NBA champion, four-time NBA MVP, and 13-time NBA All-Star, Chamberlain dominated in a way that no player did before, and no player has since. A long price per head list of accomplishments is topped by the fact that Chamberlain is the only player in NBA history to score more than 100 points in a single game, and the only player to average more than 40 points and more than 50 points in a season. Chamberlain is also the only player in NBA history to average more than 30 points and 20 rebounds in a single season, a sportsbook reviews record that truly may never be broken.

The winner of seven scoring titles, 11 rebound titles, nine field-goal percentage titles, and even the NBA assists leader one season, there was really nothing that Chamberlain could not do. At 7’1”, Chamberlain had the physical size to dominate at both ends of the floor. The surprising aspect of his dominance was that he was so good with the basketball, with the speed and quickness that some of the smaller players in the league didn’t even possess. Chamberlain played in a sports betting era far different from what we have now, but his dominance in the sport of basketball has transcended the generations, and there is no doubt that he was an incredible talent whose accomplishments may never be matched.

One of he legendary NBA coaches of all-time, Arnold Jacob “Red” Auerbach will forever be remembered as a pioneer of modern basketball. A graduate of George Washington University, Auerbach coached the Washington Capitols, Tri-Cities Blackhawks, and then the Boston Celtics of the NBA. Auerbach’s 938 wins and nine NBA championships were both records at the time of his retirement, and he went on to win seven more NBA titles as a general manager and team president of the Celtics for a total of 16 sports betting titles over 29 years. Even more memorable than the championships and the overall numbers was the way that Auerbach changed the way the game was played as a head coach, introducing the fast-break offense as a potent weapon and helping to integrate African-American players in to the NBA.

In fact, Auerbach made 5Dimes reviews history by drafting the first African-American NBA player, Chuck Cooper in 1950, and introduced the first African-American starting five. Auerbach’s teams dominated by using the fast-break style that he brought to the NBA, and that was a big part of what made him so successful. In fact, Auerbach was so successful that the NBA Coach of the Year award ended up being named after him, the ultimate symbol of respect. With the NBA playoffs around the corner and the Kentucky Derby betting race coming up the NBA will be in the spotlight again, and it will be interesting to see which coach ends up helping his team get to the NBA Finals the way that Auerbach did so many times.

Even before Vince Carter tore up the NBA Slam Dunk competition and Lebron James put on shows for the 5Dimes fans of the Miami Heat during pre-game warm-ups, there was a player that went by the nickname “Dr. J” who revolutionized the way the sport is played and paved the way for those to come in future decades. Julius Erving was known as much for his slam-dunking from the free throw line as he was for being a three-time ABA champion and NBA MVP, and his impact on that aspect of the sports betting game has made him famous not only to those that have followed in his footsteps, but anyone who has ever enjoyed a Slam Dunk competition as he is one of the greats that truly revolutionized the way the game is played.

It was the dunks, championships, and MVP that Erving earned throughout his career that helped legitimize the American Basketball Association when it merge with the NBA, as he was by far the best player at the time. The fifth-highest scorer in professional basketball history with 30,026 points, Erving was inducted in to the basketball hall of fame in 1993 and was also named to the NBA’s 50^th Anniversary All-Time team. While most observers considered Erving to be among the most talented basketball players in the history of the online sports betting game, he was also an incredible athlete regardless of his sport, and was named to Sports Illustrated’s list as one of the 40 most important athletes of all-time. His signature slam dunk, no-look pass, and cross-over dribble helped revolutionize the way that the game was played, and that is why he is such an important figure in NBA history.

He is one of the greatest players in NBA history, and has the sports betting records to prove it. Wilton Norman “Wilt” Chamberlain spent 14 years in the NBA playing for three different teams, and setting more records than you can count on one hand. The NBA’s all-time leader in scoring, rebounding, and durability categories, Chamberlain helped deliver championships to both the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers’ franchise’s in the final years of his sportsbook career. A four-time MVP, 13-time All-Star, and seven-time scoring champion, Chamberlain’s legacy is one that no player in NBA history may ever be able to match in terms of the sheer numbers he put up.

A graduate of the Universityof Kansas, Chamberlain played for the Harlem Globetrotters before joining the NBA. At 7-feet, one-inch, Chamberlain’s physical size was overwhelming for most opponents, and a big reason he dominated the game. The only player to score 100 points in a single NBA game, and the only player to average more than 40 and 50 points in a single season, it’s hard to imagine a player dominating the current Betonline game in a similar fashion. Chamberlain also won seven scoring titles, nine field goal percentage titles, and eleven rebounding titles during his NBA career, from the time he won NBA Rookie of the Year honors to his final game. The only player to average at least 30 points and 20 rebounds per season, Chamberlain actually hit that feat nine different times, and retired with career averages higher than any player has ever come close to touching.

A 12-time All-Star, three-time MVP, and three-time NBA champion, Larry Bird is one of the most decorated Hall of Fame players to ever play the game of basketball. Drafted by the Boston Celtics where he played from 1979-1992, Bird captivated online betting fans with his talent and desire, leading the Celtics to multiple championships before chronic back problems pushed him in to retirement. A member of the NBA’s 50^th Anniversary All-Time Team, Bird hasn’t excelled as just a player in the 5Dimes sport either, as he holds the distinction of being the only person in NBA history to win NBA MVP, NBA Coach of the Year, and NBA Executive of the Year for his work both on the court, on the sidelines, and as a manager.

A native of West Baden, Indiana, Bird followed up his time as a player by assuming head coaching duties of the Indiana Pacers in 1997, where he would earn coaching honors. In 2003, Bird assumed the role of team president where he would add to his resume with Executive of the Year honors, completing a Trifecta that no person in NBA history has been able to match. In addition to being part of the 50-40-30 club, Bird also won a gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics as a member of the Dream Team, one of the most dominant teams in the history of Olympic sports. Known for his contributions both on and off the court, Bird is one of the most recognized figures in our sports betting culture.

When it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers, there is no shortage of greats that have made the franchise everything that it is today. Kobe Bryant certainly belongs on that list with five NBA Championships, 14 NBA All-Star appearances, an NBA MVP title, and tons of other individual accomplishments along the way. However, even despite everything that Kobe has achieved he is still not the best Lakers’ player of all-time, a sports betting recognition that belongs to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, even ahead of Earvin “Magic” Johnson.

Like Kobe, Magic also has five NBA Championship rings to show off, with 12 NBA All-Star appearances and three NBA MVP trophies to look back on. However, neither of those two has the individual online betting accomplishment that set Abdul-Jabbar aside from the rest as the best Lakers’ player of all-time, the same way that no other player ever accomplished what he did. Abdul-Jabbar won five NBA Championships, earned three NBA MVP trophies, made 13 All-Star appearances, and most importantly, he is still the association’s all-time leading scorer. No player in NBA history has ever dominated on the scoreboard the way that Abdul-Jabbar was able to in his prime, with the legendary “skyhook” that he created setting him apart from the Betonline competition. Kobe and Magic both have their rings, a ton of accomplishments, and do deserve to be in the conversation when discussing the best to ever wear the purple-and-gold. However, neither one can touch what Abdul-Jabbar did on his own in terms of pure scoring, and that’s what separates him as the best Lakers’ player of all-time.

If a 5Dimes player were to ask retired NBA center Shaquille O’Neal who the best big man in the history of the game is, it really wouldn’t be a surprise if he responded by claiming that status for himself. However, for as dominant as the Diesel was when he was at the peak of his career, there are at least a couple of names that are ahead of him on that list. While Shaq’s sheer size and physicality helped him win four championship rings with two different teams, his inability to efficiently hit free throws and lack of an outside scoring ability are two of the biggest sports betting reasons why he is not the best NBA center of all-time. Hakeem Olajuwon, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, and of course Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are all in that conversation for the best ever, and while Shaq certainly does deserve to be mentioned in the same company as those greats, it would be impossible to make a case that he is better than all of them.

While Abdul-Jabbar was never as dominant as some of the other names listed above at the peak of his career, his consistency separated him from the rest and helped him become the NBA’s all-time leader in points scored. Six MVP titles, 19 All-Star selections, and a shot that was trademarked after him in the “sky-hook” are all reasons why Abdul-Jabbar gets the nod at No. 1 on most lists, and those numbers are something that Shaq was never able to come close to. Olajuwon, Chamberlain, and Russell all have better resumes than Shaq, and while the online betting argument for the best of all-time can’t be based solely on those numbers, it is enough to confirm Shaq isn’t the best ever.

When it comes to the best and most complete sports betting sites, they are always updated to the second. Not every site offers the live in-game betting options that others do however even in these situations the best sportsbooks offer updated lines and odds that are constantly changing and being adjusted based on the information available. There are sometimes situations where sportsbooks are a little behind when it comes to making adjustments, and the most keen of players can usually picks those off for a big score, but the majority of sites worth playing with offer the most updated lines and odds.

Of course, this is particularly important for those sites that offer in-game betting, which gives players the chance to make a wager at every break in the game. This means that in a sport such as baseball, the lines will be adjusted with every pitch, every ball, strike, hit, foul, bunt, and so on. The ability to keep these lines as updated as possible allows players to pick their spots and project what will happen and when is the best time to play it. While not every player prefers the in-game aspect of betting on sports, there is no doubt that it is among the most useful tools for everyone that plays. The sportsbook reviews site lists a complete outline of which of these sites offers the most updated lines and how to find them, so make sure to check it out today.

The Los Angeles Dodgers might very well be eliminated from the playoff chase on the final night of the 2012 Major League Baseball regular season. They’ll want to win anyway.

San Francisco Giants @ Los Angeles Dodgers – Wednesday, October 3  

Sports betting line: No line

Why San Francisco Will Win

If you do not want to become a bookie, this game will probably be offered as an explanation for such a desire (or lack thereof). People who handicap sporting events or take action on them probably got into the business because they loved the idea of people betting on high-stakes competitions that capture the public’s imagination. However, when you survey a comprehensive betonline review, you will find that this game is not quite a “classic confrontation” or an event that will cause a stir across the country.

The thing about this game that has to jump out to any neutral observer or betting player is that the Los Angeles Dodgers, as of Monday night, had no remaining margin for error in the race for the final National League wild card spot. The Dodgers knew that they had to sweep the San Francisco Giants while having the St. Louis Cardinals lose two straight games to the Cincinnati Reds. The percentages say that the Dodgers will probably be eliminated by the time this Wednesday night game begins. Either L.A. will lose a game against San Francisco or (more likely) St. Louis will grab one of its final two games against Cincinnati. This means that the Giants – resting themselves for the playoffs – will probably be facing a Dodger squad that has little left to play for. Such an event takes the fun out of being a bookie, but if one is to bet on this game, the depression that the Dodgers could very well suffer is a big reason to pick the Giants. They also have a quality starter, Ryan Vogelsong, on the hill with a 3.46 earned-run average. There’s a legitimate case to be made for the Giants in this contest.

Why Los Angeles Will Win

When making a winning bodog betting play, you might realize that the Dodgers could be depressed when they take the field on Wednesday. However, the Giants won’t be full of passion, either. They’ll be preparing for the start of the playoffs this weekend and will probably give some of their players the night off. Los Angeles, playing at home, will want to give its fans a happy send-off against a division rival. The Dodgers will also be sending their staff ace to the mound. Clayton Kershaw, with a 2.58 earned-run average, has been brilliant for the Dodgers all season long. He’s a Cy Young Award finalist in the National League, and he stands a good chance of being able to shut down San Francisco hitters all night long at Dodger Stadium.

Read more on the latest sportsbook odds for Major League Baseball.

Who Will Win

It’s easy to make a case in either direction, but Clayton Kershaw’s dynamism on the mound should lift the Dodgers to victory on the final night of the regular season.

MLB Baseball Betting Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers