Los Angeles Lakers Offer Odom to Join Ron Artest and Kobe Bryant in 2009: After being manhandled by a more-physical Boston Celtics team in the 2008 NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers will look for some toughness this off season. BetUS.com has the betting odds for who will win the 2008-2009 NBA Western Conference title. 

On Thursday July 10, 2008, the Sacramento Bee has reported that the Los Angeles Lakers recently contacted the Sacramento Kings regarding the availability of All-star Forward Ron Artest. The Los Angeles Lakers' betting odds to win the 2008-2009 NBA Western Conference title for consecutive seasons are tops: +125. 

According to the report, the Lakers are willing to offer Forward Lamar Odom in return for the soon to be free-agent (after next season). The Sacramento Kings' betting odds to win the 2008-2009 NBA Western Conference titles are not very likely: +5000. 

After being criticized for being a soft/finesse team, reports are now indicating that the 2008 Western Conference Champion Lakers, believe the ever-controversial Ron Arterst might be the answer to their problems.

As of Tuesday evening, the Sacramento Kings have not yet confirmed nor responded to the offer. According to Kings’ president, Geoff Petrie:

“Right now (Artest is) just a terrific player to have on your roster… I don’t have any speculation one way or another (about his future). Well see what other things –not specific to Ron– but if there’s some other way we can improve the team or change the team we’ll take a look at it."

The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2008 NBA MVP, Kobe Bryant, has yet to comment on the rumors of Lamar Odom's possible departure, nor has he spoken publicly about the possibility of playing with Ron Artest. A few years back, Artest almost became a Laker as he was seen sitting courtside at the Staples. However, the Kings were able to bid LA for the contentious star.

It is also speculated that Kenny Thomas might be a throw in, if the Odom-Artest deal were to go through; because the Kings desperately need to release some salary cap space.

For a complete list of team's Betting Odds to win the 2008-2009 NBA Western Conference title, please visit BetUS.com.

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Los Angeles Lakers Look to Join Baron Davis and Kobe Bryant in 2009: it was announced Tuesday morning that all-star point guard Baron Davis has opted out in his last year of his contract with the Golden State Warriors, in a move that has everyone surprised. Davis has officially turned down a $17.8 million contract extension to remain in Northern Cal next season.

The 29-year-old Southern California born Davis is now free to negotiate with other clubs, possibly facilitating a sign-and-trade deal with the Golden State Warriors. The rumors have now started circulating regarding Davis’ possible destinations.

During the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers, Davis was seen courtside sitting next to Adam Sandler (next to the Lakers’ bench). Is it possible that next season, Davis will be sitting next to Phil and Kobe? It is very possible, I'll tell you why...

Davis who grew up in Southern California, and thus, a Lakers fan, will like nothing more than to work out a deal with the new kings of the Western Conference.

The fact that the Warriors seem to be going towards a rebuilding direction, and the fact that Warriors coach Don Nelson recently declared that he might be giving more playing time to Golden State’s young players next season, might just be enough to force Davis south.

After a few injury prone seasons, Davis was able to play all 82 games last season, averaging: 21.8 points, 7.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds. Imagine how exciting it would be for the Lakers and the NBA if Davis joins Kobe?

Baron Davis who has yet to even make it to an NBA Finals, might just be contemplating a 2009 starting lineup of: PG Baron Davis, SG Kobe Bryant, SF Lamar Odom, PF Pau Gasol, and C Andrew Bynum.    

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That’s the kind of moment Shaq had, after his now infamous “freestyle rap” assault on ex-teammate Kobe Bryant hit the airways. What was one Shaq highlight-play in this NBA season that anyone remembers?

That would take way too long… Ah… here’s one: “You couldn’t do it without me… Kobe N*** tell me how my a** taste… Ima horse, Kobe ratted me out, that’s why I’m getting divorce, he said Shaq gave a bitch a mill… check it, you know how I be, last week Kobe couldn’t do without me”

Perhaps Shaq's accomplishments this season weren’t enough to satisfy his huge hunger for attention. After all, what did Shaq accomplish this NBA season? Lets take a look: has his lowest season production in points, rebounds, and minutes played, to later quit on his team (yes the Miami Heat, who went on to be the worse team in the history of the NBA). What does he do after that? He demands a trade. The Miami Heat’s Odds to win 2009 NBA Championship are 40 - 1.

Late midseason season, Shaq gets his wish granted, but only to ruin the Phoenix Suns, and their chances at an NBA championship: by destroying their chemistry, fundamentals, rhythm and pace, and even to the point of even making a great coach like Mike D’Antoni, look like he had never coached a team in his entire life. The Phoenix Suns’ Odds to win 2009 NBA Championship are 20 - 1.

Perhaps it is a good idea for Shaq to be practicing his freestyle, because after all, his basketball career has been over for a very long time now. Perhaps he should be diverting everyone’s attention from his horrendous basketball playing, and maybe he should be focusing on other things outside basketball, like maybe saving his “personal life”.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ Odds to win 2009 NBA Championship are tops: 7 - 2. Well, it certainly looks as though we have a Shaq vs. Kobe winner for this round, and it also looks like we have a looser too.

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2008 NBA Draft Betting Preview: with the 2008 NBA Draft just hours away, the big questions are who will go 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Thursday? After the lottery, it was determined that the Chicago Bulls will get the overall first pick, the Miami Heat have the second pick, and finally the Minnesota Timberwolves will get the third (this of course assuming none of these teams will trade their pick). BodogLife.com has 2008 NBA Draft Betting Odds on who will be the #1 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.

It is important to point out that, this year’s draft will be one of the most exciting ones due to its abundance in talent. It is so stacked up, that the projected top-5 picks are all entering the 2008 NBA Draft after only their freshman year in college.

According to the experts, and in many mock drafts around the nation, the Chicago Bulls are likely to select Derrick Rose #1. This 6’ 3” 190 lb freshman out of Memphis, is coming off a terrific first collegiate year averaging: 15 pts (2nd in team, 8th in ConferenceUSA), 4.7 assists (led team, 4th in C-USA), 48 % from the field, 1.2 steals pg, and 4.5 rebounds pg. Derrick Rose is a -600 betting odds favorite to be selected #1 in the 2008 NBA Draft Betting Odds Preview.

The Miami Heat has this year’s 2008 NBA Draft 2nd pick, and most people are expecting Pat Riley to select Michael Beasley out of Kansas State. This 6’ 10” 235 lb Forward also had an outstanding 2007-08 collegiate campaign with the Kansas St. Jayhawks.

He received every-and-any award possible for a collegiate player to be recompensed with. In only his freshman year, Beasley: set a Kansas State career record for 40-point games (3) and set new single season marks in points scored (866), scoring average (26.2 ppg), 30-point games (13), double-doubles (28), rebounds (408), field goals made (307) and free throws made (216). Michael Beasley’s Betting Odds to be selected #1 in the 2008 NBA Draft are +375.

Finally, I'll be rounding out the top-three players in the nation, and their probable 2008 NBA destination. The 3rd pick in the 2008 NBA Draft belongs to Kevin McHale and the Minnesota Timberwolves. If everything goes accordingly, with Rose #1 and Beasley #2, the Wolves are projected to select, the already controversial O.J. Mayo from USC.

This 6’ 5”, 200 lb Guard, has already become a household name in basketball fan’s minds, but for the wrong reasons. This preview will concentrate strictly on Mayo’s attractions on the court. This Huntington High School All-American is entering the 2008 NBA Draft also after only his first year in college.

In the 2007-08 campaign, O.J. Mayo Led team in scoring (20.7 ppg, 2nd in the Pac-10), assists (3.3 apg, 10th) and steals (1.6 spg, 6th), and 3rd in rebounding (4.5 rpg). In addition, Mayo set school freshman single-season records for scoring average, points scored (684) and three-point field goals made (88). O.J. Mayo is a 4 - 13 betting odds of being the #3 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.

Here are the remaining top-10 2008 NBA Draft teams, along with their projected picks:

4th Pick: Seattle Sonics: G Jerryd Bayless (Arizona). 

5th Pick: Memphis Grizzlies: G Erick Gordon (Indiana).

6th NY Knicks: C Brook Lopez (Stanford).

7th LA Clippers: C/F Kevin Love (UCLA).

8th Milwaukee Bucks: G Russell Westbrook (UCLA).

9th Charlotte Bobcats: F Danilo Gallinari (Italy).

10th NJ Nets: F Joe Alexander (West Virginia).        

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