Archive for February 4th, 2009

Wednesday, February 04th, 2009 

Every year, sportsbook players and casual fans alike argue over who should have made the All-Star team and who should have not. With the rosters set for 2009 NBA All-Star betting , here is a look at the All-Snub Team for this year (all statistics are from February 2).

Center – David Lee, New York

Lee is putting up 15.9 points and 11.7 boards, and has probably put himself at the top of this year’s free-agent list. Lee’s never said an ill word while playing his heart out in the wasteland that is the Knicks’ franchise, and while he’ll miss the All-Star game, he’ll be rewarded this summer.

Forward – Al Jefferson, Minnesota

Jefferson is one of three players in the league to put up 20/10 numbers (23.2 points, 10.6 boards). If the Timberwolves can hold onto Jefferson and rookie Kevin Love, Minnesota will have one of the best young post duos in the league.

Forward – Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City

The reigning Rookie of the Year will probably take his frustrations out in the Rookie game, and the lanky forward is the highest-scoring player left out of the All-Star game. His team is just too terrible, but if Durant continues to improve, an All-Star nod will be the least of his accomplishments by the time he’s through.

Guard – Ray Allen, Boston

It’s hard to feel bad for an 8-time All-Star, but Allen’s probably been the most consistent of the Celtics’ “Big Three” this season. Allen is putting up 18.0 points and dropping treys at a 41.1% clip, as well as 49.7% from the field and 94.0% from the foul line. Allen can take consolation in the fact that his Celtics still have great NBA betting odds to repeat as world champions.

Guard – Mo Williams, Cleveland

Williams is probably the top off-season acquisition of the campaign so far, becoming a valuable second option to LeBron James for the Cavaliers. Williams’ ability to run the team while James is on the bench will leave Cleveland’s MVP fresher for the postseason, which will be a huge boost to the Cavaliers’ NBA betting odds.

Wednesday, February 04th, 2009 

The NBA is coming up on the All-Star break, but a couple teams could see their NBA betting chances of winning the championship take a big hit courtesy of some ill-timed injuries to key players.

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Orlando’s Jameer Nelson should be preparing to make his All-Star debut as the fifth-year guard is having a splendid season. However, Magic fans were left holding their breath when Nelson went down hard in Monday’s 105-95 loss at home to Dallas. Nelson has been diagnosed with a torn labrum and a dislocation in his right shoulder, but he has the option of rehabbing to get through to offseason surgery. Either way, this is a damaging blow to Orlando’s NBA betting odds, as the Magic don’t have a guard close to Nelson’s caliber (although rookie Courtney Lee has looked nice this year).

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Out in Tinseltown, Andrew Bynum is wishing that he never has to face the Memphis Grizzlies again. The young center on the West-leading Lakers suffered a serious knee injury for the second straight year against the Grizz, this time coming on Saturday when he was run into by teammate Kobe Bryant. The Lakers’ NBA betting chances should still be in good shape, as they reached the Finals last year without Bynu, but it’s clear they are a much better team with him. Bynum is a major presence iin the post, which opens up the floor for Bryant (Monday’s 61-point explosion in New York notwithstanding) and Pau Gasol. Bynum won’t be back before the playoffs, and even then, it’ll be up in the air.