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Stern advice for James, Gilbert and JesseBasketball Betting Lines07/13/2010 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It took the death of a true sports legend, Yankees principal owner George Steinbrenner, to finally knock LeBron James and the NBA from the top of every sportscast across the country. Conventional wisdom says David Stern was thrilled the LeBron sweepstakes kept people talking about his league during the first two weeks of July, but the commish made it clear Monday that he wasn't on board with the way his biggest star dissed the Cleveland Cavaliers. Stern had no problem with James' change of address to Miami but wasn't thrilled with the two-time MVP's public announcement during the made-for- television special called "The Decision." "The advice that he received on this was poor," Stern said after NBA owners meeting in Las Vegas. "The performance was fine. His honesty and his integrity, I think, shined through. But this decision was ill-conceived." Stern was much harder on Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, fining him $100,000 for a tirade that the commissioner called "a little bit extreme." After being spurned on national television, Gilbert released a visceral statement calling James' behavior during the special "narcissistic" and "cowardly." He followed that by telling The Associated Press in a phone interview that James quit on the Cavs during the playoffs. It's hard to argue with narcissistic but Gilbert certainly went over the line when he called James' behavior cowardly and his decision to leave Cleveland as disloyal, charges that didn't go unnoticed by the Rev. Jesse Jackson. Jackson, perhaps the country's leading civil rights activist, responded to Gilbert's ill-advised remarks by upping the ante with even more explosive and ill-conceived rhetoric. Jackson said the Cavs owner sees James as a "runaway slave" and spoke as an owner of LeBron and not the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, perhaps the silliest comment of all-time since I don't know many slave owners that paid their property over $62 million dollars. "However well-meaning Jesse may be in the premise on this one, he is, as he rarely is, mistaken," Stern said. "And I would have told him so had he called me before he issued his statement. But he is a good friend of the NBA and our players. Has worked arduously on many good causes and we work together in many matters." The James-Gilbert-Jackson fiasco may have been the front page fodder but when it comes to basketball the real story coming from all of this was possible collusion -- not from the owners but the players. When James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all decided to play together in South Beach after communicating with each other during the free-agent process. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban cried foul and wanted the league to examine the process. Most feel the plan by the three to join forces on a so-called "Super Team" had dated all the way back to 2006 when the trio each signed shorter-than- available contracts with an eye on free agency in 2010. "The three players are totally, as our system has evolved, within their rights to talk to each other," Stern said. "That is not tampering or collusion that is prohibited. That's our rule, right now." According to Stern, Cuban was a lone voice and no formal complaints were levied at the Board of Governors meeting on Monday. "Our players, having negotiated for the right to be free agents at some point in their career, are totally within their rights to seek employment with any other team," Stern said. "That's something we agreed to. That's something we embrace. That's our system."
<< Celtics re-sign Ray Allen
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Celtics have re-signed guard Ray Allen, the team announced Tuesday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but reports from last week said Allen agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract. "
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NFL Football Office Pool Printable Schedules
Pro Football Odds : NFC SOUTH BETTING ODDSNFL betting action is back! At MySportsbook, all of the pro football odds are posted for the NFC North. Check out how we see the four teams in this cloudy division stacking up this year in the chase for the playoffs! Green Bay Packers (+125) - With QB Aaron Rodgers leading the offense and DC Dom Capers working his magic on defense, the Packers are a real force to be reckoned with. Virtually nothing changed on this offense for Green Bay from last year to this year, save for the addition of rookie OT Brian Bulaga to the bunch. Expect more huge numbers from the Pack, and a relatively favorable schedule should get them over the hump and into the playoffs once again this season. My NFL Betting Predictions: 11-5, 1st place in NFC North Minnesota Vikings (+130) - There are still too many unknowns about the Vikes this year. There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not. There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win. Chicago Bears (+350) - The Bears are probably a bit of an overhyped team once again this year.No, we don't think it is plausible for QB Jay Cutler to have as bad of a season as he did last year, and we do think the additions of RB Chester Taylor and DE Julius Peppers are going to help immensely, but there's still something in the water in the Windy City that we aren't so sure about. Maybe Chicago finds its way to .500... but then again, maybe it doesn't. If Favre comes back, Cutler might be the worst quarterback in this division this year. Detroit Lions (+1500) - The Lions are probably once again going to be the whipping boys for the rest of the teams in the NFC North, but they aren't just going to roll over and die once again. There is some real talent amassing on this team offensively, as the combination of QB Matt Stafford, RB Jahvid Best, WR Calvin Johnson, and TE Brandon Pettigrew should put a bunch of points on the board if the offensive line can even remotely hold up. The questions really lie on defense, where it feels like DT Ndamukong Suh is going to be trying to stop opposing teams all by himself. This year should show some marked improvement in the Motor City. The Patriots will make NFL betting fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash. To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs. |
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