Jackson announces return to Lakers bench
Basketball Betting Lines
07/03/2009 -
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil
Jackson, fresh off a record 10th NBA Championship as a coach, announced on
Friday he will return to the bench next year for a 10th season in LA and 19th
as an NBA head coach.
There was some speculation that Jackson would either decide to retire or coach
an abbrevaited schedule based on health concerns. Jackson discussed those
scenarios late last month in an ESPN radio interview but later came to a
decision along with general manager Mitch Kupchak to be all in or step away.
"After consulting with Lakers team internist Dr. John Moe, I feel confident
that I can gainfully pursue an NBA season with another long playoff
postseason. All things point to go!," Jackson said through a team release on
Friday.
Jackson, who turns 64 in September, had cited health concerns as the sole
reason behind any decision that would have had the Hall of Fame coach unable
to fulfill the final year of his current contract. He agreed on a two-year
extension in November, 2007 but since has felt the rigors of the road
following a pair of hip replacement surgeries. The "Zen Master"
specifically has addressed continued discomfort in his lower legs and cited
longtime assistant Tex Winter's stroke last year as another reason to give
pause to what will be a 19th year of coaching.
For Jackson, his 10th championship surpassed the legendary Red Auerbach for
the most in history. Coaching his 300th career playoff game, Jackson also
passed Bill Russell (11) for most titles won by a player/coach as LA finished
off Orlando in Game 5 of the Finals last month. It was his fourth
championship in Los Angeles, having previously guided Michael Jordan and the
Chicago Bulls to six titles in the 1990s.
The announcement comes less than 24 hours after free agent forward Ron
Artest reached a verbal agreement to join the Lakers next season. Artest
announced on ESPN's SportsCenter in Los Angeles late Thursday that he is
leaving the Rockets for LA and would play for the mid-level exception. The Los
Angeles Times has reported the pact is for three years at close to $18
million.
No deal can be officially announced until July 8, per league rules.
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Ruslan Fedotenko to a one-year contract on Friday.
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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value
If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture. Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).
For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot. The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.
TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.
"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,' it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."
"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.
Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash. Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win.
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Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Odds
Will he or won't he? Now that the Dallas Cowboys have a new head coach in Wade Phillips, the big question will be: Does Terrell Owens stay with the team.
Jerry Jones continues to suggest that Terrell Owens will remain with the team.
"I've said that he's back, he's here, he's under contract," Jones said. "In the interviews I've just been through (to hire a new coach), it was very clear to me how highly he's thought of and how much of an impact he had on our offensive success."
Just to be sure though, Terrell Owens cleared out his locker and removed his name plate.
Terrell Owens was among the Cowboys most productive players this past season, catching 85 passes for 1,180 yards and a league-best 13 touchdowns.
But T.O. is due a $3 million roster bonus in June, then a $5 million salary this season. Cutting him before then would save a lot of money and headaches.
Aside from the questions surrounding Terrell Owens, the oddsmakers at MySportsbook.com have concerns over starting quarterback Tony Romo's state of mind and whether he will remain a starting quarterback. It is also not known how players will adjust to new head coach, Wade Phillips.
Here are the football odds as seen at MySportsbook.com and subject to change after February 10, 2007 if not locked in prior to that date.
Arizona Cardinals 60-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Baltimore Ravens 15-1
Buffalo Bills 50-1
Carolina Panthers 18-1
Chicago Bears 10-1
Cincinnati Bengals 15-1
Cleveland Browns 100-1
Dallas Cowboys 15-1
Denver Broncos 15-1
Detroit Lions 100-1
Green Bay Packers 50-1
Houston Texans 100-1
Indianapolis Colts 6-1
Jacksonville Jaguars 30-1
Kansas City Chiefs 30-1
Miami Dolphins 40-1
Minnesota Vikings 75-1
New England Patriots 10-1
New Orleans Saints 18-1
New York Giants 20-1
New York Jets 30-1
Oakland Raiders 100-1
Philadelphia Eagles 18-1
Pittsburgh Steelers 10-1
Saint Louis Rams 60-1
San Diego Chargers 6-1
San Francisco 49ers 75-1
Seattle Seahawks 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccanneers 75-1
Tennessee Titans 40-1
Washington Redskins 50-1
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