Okay, it’s still early in the season, and Phoenix still has a respectable 12-9 record ahead of tonight’s game with Milwaukee. You can still get solid NBA betting odds for the Suns for the NBA title and in the Western Conference, but it’s not looking (or sounding) pretty in the desert these days. Amare Stoudamire has been the most vocal about the new offense, which seems to focus on Shaquille O’Neal when he is in the game. This is just ridiculous because, first of all, this ain’t the early 2000s anymore, and second:

Seriously, Terry Porter: Stoudamire has already said he would explore the market during the sweepstakes of 2010, and you’re not doing your team any favors. Nash and Shaq aren’t getting younger, so you need to build around this beast. NBA betting players will thank you for it.

Word has just trickled down that Randy Wittman, coach of the dead-in-the-water Minnesota Timberwolves, has been relieved of his duties. This probably illicited cheers of joy from the seven Minnesota fans left in the league. But those seven were left shaking their heads when it was announced that Kevin McHale will step down from his VP of Basketball Operations post to coach the team. Yes, the same McHale that has drafted the likes of William Avery and Rashad McCants, and traded away the likes of Ray Allen, Brandon Roy and now O.J Mayo after drafting them. If it wasn’t for the pick of Kevin Garnett in 1995 (see video below), McHale may have went down as unequivocally the worst executive of all time. He did okay in an interim position after firing Flip Saunders in 2005, but it doesn’t even matter if Phil Jackson was coaching these Wolves…..NBA betting players already know to stay clear of Minnesota.

So, what happens now? Al Jefferson and Kevin Love form a good young duo in the post, and it’s a shame that Corey Brewer wrecked his knee as he was starting to improve. But Mike Miller should be gone by the trade deadline, and Randy Foye has yet to pan out how McHale thought he would. The Timberwolves could be even placing themselves in the queue for the 2010 sweepstakes, and Minnesota fans probably won’t care. They’ve been bad for so long, what’s a couple more years?

Those were the days:

The leadup to the NBA draft last year was pretty funny, as messageboards all across the internet wondered just how Chicago GM John Paxson would mess up the first overall pick. After all, most thought the Bulls had wasted their luck on getting the #1 pick while only having a 1.7% chance in the lottery. Paxson, however, did the smart thing and took hometown boy Derrick Rose, fresh off carrying Memphis to the NCAA title game, and the young point guard has done nothing to show that Paxson was wrong. Here is a look at how the top ten picks are faring so far, if you are looking to make rookie picks in your NBA futures. Not surprisingly, NBA betting odds are giving Chicago and Miami the best chance to win this year, but don’t hold your breath.

Derrick Rose, Chicago – Is making the choice to pick him over Michael Beasley look absolutely genius. When he gets a consistent jump shot, it’s game over for the rest of the league. But until then, he’s content to do this:

Michael Beasley, Miami- Dude is talented, no doubt. But he looks so bored out there. I suppose it’s easy to be a bystander when Dwayne Wade is running the show. Being more competitive on the boards is a start.

O.J. Mayo, Memphis – Shoots a great percentage for a guard. It’s a shame he plays in Memphis.

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City- Most thought this is a bad pick at #4, but Westbrook’s going to be a good player. He can already defend (something you can’t teach), and his shooting will improve. And his hops are insane.

Kevin Love, Minnesota – Minny fans are vexed at McHale for trading Love for Mayo, but give him time. Love and Al Jefferson could be a great (but EXTREMELY slow) duo in the future.

Danilo Gallinari, New York – It’s a good thing the Starbury and LeBron things are taking over the “Big Apple”. He’s apparently healthy now, but it’s not looking pretty.

Eric Gordon, LA Clippers – Still reminds me of Ben Gordon. No, that wasn’t a compliment.

Joe Alexander, Milwaukee – Unless Richard Jefferson gets hurt, this dude ain’t seeing more than 15 minutes a game.

D.J. Augustin, Charlotte – Mark my words: Raymond Felton will be gone next year, and Augustin’s gonna have the team all to himself.

Brook Lopez, New Jersey – Works hard on the boards, and doesn’t have to score a lot with Devin Harris (and remarkably, Vince Carter) playing out of his mind.

The NBA season is ready to tip off on Tuesday, which means it is time to consult your sportsbook odds and pick your champion for the upcoming hoops season. So, if you are looking for more tips before you bet online, here are Roy’s Bi-Weekly Power Rankings, starting with the defending champions from Boston.

Boston – Online sports betting odds have given the Celtics solid odds to repeat, and the question will be desire: will Boston still be hungry after winning last year? With Kevin Garnett on board, desire should not be an issue.

Los Angeles Lakers – Andrew Bynum is back and healthy, and could form, with Pau Gasol, the best frontcourt duo in the league. Online betting has the Lakers as the favorites to win the title, and this could be the best chance Kobe Bryant ever has to win a championship post-Shaq.

New Orleans – The Hornets are another year older, but they have to deal with lofty expectations from fans, analysts and online betting enthusiasts alike. If the Hornets win the West, Chris Paul will win the Most Valuable Player award.

Houston – Call this a gut decision, although the Rockets still have good NBA odds entering the season. Ron Artest will take a lot of pressure off Tracy McGrady, who simply must stay healthy. However, having Rafer Alston as your starting point guard is troubling.

Cleveland – LeBron James finally has a bonafide No.2 scoring threat in Mo Williams. We know the Cavaliers will play defense, and if they can coax another decent season out of Zydrunas Ilgauskas, expect their sportsbook stock to rise.

San Antonio – God, I hate the Spurs. Why won’t they decline already? Expect more tough (and borderline dirty, as long as Bruce Bowen is around) defense, bank shots and double-doubles from Tim Duncan, and more sideline pictures of Eva Longoria-Parker.

Toronto – If Jermaine O’Neal can stay healthy, he will combine with Chris Bosh for a Twin Towers-esque duo. Jose Calderon will have to deal with more minutes at the point position. The improvement of Andrea Bargnani will be essential for Toronto.

Philadelphia – The 76ers could be the most improved team of the season with their pickup of Elton Brand and the re-signing of Andre Igoudala. However, their bench leaves a lot to be desired.

Detroit – Like the Spurs, these guys just won’t die. With a new coach (Michael Curry) at the helm, it will be interesting to see how this veteran group, particularly Rasheed Wallace, takes to new instructions.

Phoenix – The Suns may start slowly, but you watch: by midseason, they will be right in the thick of the West race. Keep an eye on first-round pick Robin Lopez, who will bring energy and rebounding off the bench for the aging Suns.

And the rest …………

Orlando – If D-12 doesn’t get at least 40 touches a game, someone needs to be fired.

Utah – Deron Williams better not miss too much time; he is the catalyst of the whole team.

Portland – Greg Oden’s numbers: 11 points, 12 boards, 2.5 blocks and a slew of “he looks old” jokes.

Dallas – I love Jason Kidd to death, but why can’t he hit an open jumper?

Chicago – Derrick Rose for Rookie of the Year. Bet on it.

Los Angeles Clippers – The pickup of Baron Davis is excellent, and the Clippers may actually be decent. Of course, I’m setting the OVER/UNDER for a Ricky Davis distraction at 30 games, and taking the UNDER.

Miami – For some reason, I have a feeling D-Wade is going to beast this year.

Golden State – Without B-Diddy, the Warriors are going to find themselves on the wrong end of the shootouts they used to win.

Atlanta – Joe Johnson really deserves better than this. But Marvin Williams is going to break out this year.

Denver – They were awful defensively with Marcus Camby in the middle. With no Camby, the Nuggets will be lucky to keep the opposition under 120 points a night.

Washington – Showed they were snakebitten by resigning Gilbert Arenas, who is injured (AGAIN). Then they lose Brandon Haywood for six months. Have fun, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler.

Milwaukee – Scott Skiles’ coaching style will rub some of the young Bucks the wrong way, and I’m guessing Charlie Villeneuva will be the first in line.

Minnesota – Kevin Love’s interior passing should open up the lane for Al Jefferson, but the rest of the ‘Wolves will have to hit their outside shots.

Indiana – The Pacers could sneak into the final East playoff spot, and you should keep an eye on Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert, two rookies with top-notch college pedigrees.

New Jersey – Vince Carter as your team leader? Ugh. Wake me in ’10 when the Nets are in Brooklyn and going after Bron Bron.

Sacramento – Kevin Martin and John Salmons will get theirs, but the rest of the Sacramento team is either old or just plain bad.

New York – If the Knicks can get rid of Stephon Marbury and Zach Randolph’s massive contracts, the season will be a success.

Oklahoma City – This team is going to be so much fun to watch. Kevin Durant will drop 25 points a game, and the Thunder (that looks weird) will play no defense. Enjoy.

Charlotte – This franchise rivals the Knicks for being a hot mess. The point-guard battle between D.J. Augustin and Raymond Felton should be the only thing worth talking about all year.

Memphis – Loads of young point-guard talent and Rudy Gay. Like the Super….I mean, Thunder, they will be fun to watch, but it will not translate into success.