LeBron James could probably have an NBA betting category all his own. The Cavs are already a sportsbook favorite to win the championship, and the threat of a James triple-double could be one of the daily NBA props. The legend of “King” James just keeps growing, too. Witness this February 20th destruction of the Bucks, in which James ended up with 55 points:

Then there was his pre-game entertainment for the fans in Memphis on February 24th:

And if you’ve never seen his dismantling of Detroit in 2006-07, when he hit for 29 of the Cavs’ final 30 points in a double-overtime win:

Seriously, if you bet on sports, James is coming up on that Michael Jordan status…..you know, where he gives you the look like, “bet against me, I dare you”. NBA betting players could be ready to annoint the Cavs as the kings of the East, and the scary thing is…..he’s only 24.  That’s insane.

NBA betting players will feel a bit better knowing that the owners of the league are in tough times as well. A report has trickled down that the NBA plans to borrow $175 million, and $11.66 million of that will go to 15 teams that are struggling with money troubles.

Sounds like karma for someone giving Steve Francis $19.8 million to do essentially nothing. Don’t get me started on Jermaine O’Neal’s $21.4 million, and you all know how I feel about Starbury. But at least he’s only getting the league minimum when he goes to Boston. I’m not saying give the players less, I’m saying evaluate better who deserves it. If these guys are making that, then don’t be surprised when LeBron James asks for half of your city in 2010.

NBA betting fans don’t know what to think of Stephon Marbury’s impending move to Boston, which has been more than two months in the works (see here). “Starbury” went to arbitration to get out of his contract with the Knicks, and it’s rumored that he had to give up at least $2 million. Of course, when you’re making over $20 million for essentially doing nothing.

If Marbury lands in Boston, he has to buy into the team concept there, or he’ll be gone. He’ll back up the ever-improving Rajon Rondo at the point, but the thought of Marbury in a backcourt with Eddie House must make the Boston big men a little nervous, as these two have never seen a shot they didn’t like. However, with injuries to Tony Allen, and Kevin Garnett’s recent knee injury, the Celtics need some backup if they are going to hold off Cleveland in the East. This trade probably won’t raise Boston’s NBA betting chances, but it won’t hurt them, either, unless Marbury goes crazy (which wouldn’t surprise anyone, especially former Minnesota teammate Garnett).

Side note: on the milk carton, LOL at “Last seen: missing a layup at the buzzer”.

The New Jersey Nets won’t have very good NBA betting odds to win the championship, but there are few stories in the league that are as good as Devin Harris. The point guard was a star at Wisconsin, winning a pair of Big Ten titles before leaving for the league, where he was drafted by Dallas. The Mavericks, particularly former coach Avery Johnson, seemed to be unable to give Harris the control a point guard needed, and he underachieved before he was traded to New Jersey for future Hall-of-Famer Jason Kidd. Harris has since exploded, becoming an All-Star for the first time this year, and essentially dragging the Nets to the playoffs. And then, he came up with the play of the year last night against Philadelphia:

No slight on J-Kidd, he’s goin’ straight to the Hall, and he’s a legend. But Dallas messed this trade up bigtime. Harris is only 25 and just entering the prime of his career, while Kidd is on the downside and the Mavericks still aren’t close to being a championship contender in the tough West. If the Nets can put some pieces around Harris, and if rookie big man Brook Lopez can continue to improve, New Jersey could be a problem soon.

We gon step away from NBA betting for a quick second because this needs to be noted. Yesterday, as I was watching the Clippers-Blazers games – yes, I’m a hardcore fan, I was watching that game – the Clipppers actually made what by their standards is a come back.

They were down about 25 points in the third quarter and NBA betting handicappers who had money on the Blazers -14 were beginning to get a little concerned when the Clip Show cut the lead to 20.

Then comes Ricky Davis. Few players are as selfish as Ricky Davis – that’s clear. After all, we’re talking about a man who tried to get a rebound off his own basket to finish up a meaningless triple-double.

Davis took three shots on one possession. Count it: three. Allen Iverson is a greedy player and he still wouldn’t shoot it three times on one possession. That does not bode well for the Clippers’ Northbet.com odds.

Next thing you know, Davis misses thrice and the Blazers are off to the races for an easy layup. Final score: Blazers 116, Clippers 87.

NBA betting fans, stay away from the Clippers. Stay away their stadium, stay away from their broadcasts and stay from paying attention to them. They are a very ugly team.

Saturday night will be a big night over here, as there is some UFC 95 betting going on, as well as a massive NBA betting matchup (both at the same time, 9:00 PM ET, get your remotes ready). Chris Paul will take his New Orleans Hornets into Utah to face Deron Williams and the Jazz, and these two will be forever linked. Both were drafted in 2005 (Williams at No.3, Paul at No.4), and since, they’ve been connected at the hip. But who would you rather have?

This is far too close to call, but if I were pressed really, really hard, I’d have to take Paul by the smallest of margins. CP3′s defense is what gives him the edge, and he seems to have that “it” quality at the end of games. D-Will is a beast, and he’s been out of this world lately. You can’t say Utah made the wrong pick, that’s how good he is. Both teams were struggling before these two came on the scene. D-Will has had the upper hand in their head-to-head meetings, so check it out on Saturday night.

Shawn Marion made his Toronto debut last night, and while the NBA betting odds have not improved for the Raptors, “The Matrix” has shown that he can make Toronto a much better team.

Marion had the impossible task of guarding Lebron James in his first game as a Raptor, and although Toronto lost 93-76, Marion didn’t make it easy on “King James”. It was a battle that UFC betting fans would be proud of, and even though James almost had a triple-double with 20 points, nine boards and nine assists, Marion was in his face the entire game. Offensively, Marion had 10 points, along with six assists and six boards as he was trying to get used to his new team. He also looked eager to run, and the Raptors will have to do a better job of breaking out to utilize Marion’s talents.

Many young players coming out of college (or high school) have been saddled with the tag, “The Next Jordan”, which is more than enough pressure, no matter how decorated they are. Here is a look at the top 5 players, and how they’ve managed. NBA betting should include an annual prop asking who will be this year’s “next Jordan”.

Kobe Bryant came out of high school, and showed quickly that he had all the tools to be “the next Jordan”. “Black Mamba” is easily the closest thing we have to Jordan right now, even down to Bryant copying the fadeaway jumper Jordan used late in his career. And with his intensity, if Bryant was in this weekend’s MMA event, UFC 95 odds were give him a fighting chance.

High flyer? Check. North Carolina Tar Heel? Check. Dominating dunk-contest performance? Check. Vince’s show in 2000 had the NBA on their feet, and while he still has big nights, Carter’s not as daring as he used to be, and he NEVER had the heart of Jordan.

Grant Hill never had the same type of game Jordan had, and he went to UNC rival Duke, but people still had the highest of hopes for the versatile forward. Injuries have hurt Hill’s career, but he’s still one of the most respected players in the league.

Jerry Stackhouse had the same burden as Carter, with his UNC bloodlines and leaping ability. He even got the chance to play with Jordan when he came back with Washington. However, Stackhouse was never a big factor in the playoffs. Still, he was probably the first to carry “the next Jordan” tag.

Harold Miner was called “Baby Jordan”, but it was obviously for his dunking ability, and not his all-around game, as he averaged only nine points a game in a short four-year career. However, he won a pair of dunk contest, and his above performance in 1995 was borderline classic.

Some thoughts on All-Star Weekend before you start looking over March Madness odds in your sportsbook:

Rookie Challenge – The sophomores won a surprisingly competitive game behind a record 46 points from Kevin Durant. If he’s not in the Sunday game next year, something’s wrong.

HORSE - Durant edged out O.J. Mayo in another entertaining affair. This kid can score from anywhere.

Shooting Stars – Detroit beat the hometown team from Phoenix. This needs to cut, and soon.

Skills Challenge – Derrick Rose beat Devin Harris, and Rose didn’t even look awake until his double-pump reverse to cap off the event.

Three-Point Shootout – Daequan Cook beat Rashard Lewis in overtime, and Lewis’ seven-point

performance in that round was embarrassing.

Slam Dunk Contest – Nate Robinson was the Kryptonite to Dwight Howard’s Superman by jumping over the 7-footer, but what should be talked about is how Rudy Fernandez got hosed in the first round.

All-Star Game – The West won in a blowout, but Shaq’s dance with the Jabbawockeez during introductions was the most entertaining part. It was also good to see Shaq and Kobe Bryant together again while receiving co-MVPs of the game. To paraphrase LeBron James, it’s gonna be a sad day when the big fella hangs ‘em up. The most entertaining player and person the NBA has ever had.

Amongst all the Daytona 500 odds and NBA betting odds for the All-Star Game I’ve been going through ahead of this weekend, the upcoming trade deadline almost slipped my mind. The first big trade has gone down, and it’s reported that the Jermaine O’Neal experiment in Toronto is over. O’Neal, along with Jamario Moon, are being shipped to Miami for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks in a long-rumored move. There is also a rumor of a conditional draft Northbet.com pick, and it had better be a second-round pick, because it’s an awful draft year, because Banks is due betwewen $4.2-4.8 million for the next three years. Still, it clears a ton of cap space for the Raptors in the 2010 Sweepstakes, and now Raptors fans won’t be subjected to having JO, Chris Bosh, and Andrea Bargnani on the floor at the same time.