The Chris Paul Connection To LeBron James

He’s one of LeBron James’ best friends, and the guy who encouraged him to join Twitter.

He’s arguably the best point guard in the game.

Could Chris Paul also be the guy that keeps LeBron in Cleveland?

The only thing harder to find in the league than a great center is a terrific point guard. Just ask the Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat or any team that Allen Iverson has played for.

Keeping that in mind, how idiotic would the New Orleans Hornets be to trade CP3 to any team? What could any viable trade partner offer in return?

Paul averaged 18.7 points and 10.7 assists in an injury shortened season last year.

Debate amongst yourselves who the best point man in the league is, but the guys at the top of the list are Chris Paul, Derron Williams, Steve Nash, Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook.

Anytime you have one of those guys leading the team, you hold on to him with everything you’ve got.

There’s been rumors that Paul is interested in playing with LeBron, and who the hell wouldn’t be?

New Orleans has refused to listen to trades for Paul, and are more than happy to keep him on the payroll until he makes a decision in 2012 when his player option comes up.

Paul is due to make over $30 million through 2012 and his player option pays him $17.8 million in 2012-13 if he decides to take it.

So if LeBron wants to stay in Cleveland and finally have a real superstar beside him, he’d have to wait at least two years. That’s two years of fighting the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks by himself, which just leads to two more years of scrutiny and two more years without a championship.

If Chris Paul is the last lingering hope that the Cavaliers have of retaining LeBron James, then that’s a desperate reach. A lot can happen in two years, like Paul enduring another knee injury.

The point is that LeBron has already given Cleveland seven years of his life. If he leaves, the fans should be pissed at the general manager and the piss poor effort of his teammates in the playoffs.

The idea of him staying in his home state just to appease the fans, and wait a couple years for Chris Paul to join him, is laughable at best.

Still tugging at straws is the best that Cleveland’s fans have right now. Paul will have plenty of options in 2012 when his contract runs out, and joining LeBron on a championship contender will likely be one of his priorities.

I just don’t see that being the reason that LeBron stays in Cleveland to bash his head against the wall for two more years.

The Readers Weigh In – Will Bulls Become Contenders if LeBron Joins Team?

The Chicago Bulls have a gifted young point guard and blossoming center Joakim Noah – and the aura of Michael Jordan constantly swirling around the United Center.

Three knowledgeable NBA fans – and expert sports journalist Aaron Torres – took time out of their busy schedules to drop their one-of-a kind NBA knowledge on LeBron James and his possible free agent destinations.

This look at the potential possibilities surrounding James’ signing with the Chicago Bulls will enlighten pro hoops fans and gamblers everywhere.

With James making his announcement live on ESPN at 9 PM ET, let me get busy.

Brandon Williams from Philadelphia

Williams is a young, aspiring future sports analysts who had this to say about the Bulls should they land James.

“With the addition of James, along with Derrick Rose, Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah, they are going to be Eastern Conference champions.”

Torres, wasn’t quite as animated – and a bit more realistic – with his response on James joining the Bulls.

“Who thought a week ago they’d be pulling up the rear,” Torres wrote in an e-mail. “Don’t think LeBron will be running with the Bulls any time soon.”

George Coley Jr. from Philadelphia

“They’ve got Boozer and some other pieces in place there and the addition of James, along with young Derrick Rose and a good head coach … the team could contend for the Eastern Conference title, but not the NBA title,” he said.

Keith Branch from New Jersey

“Out of all the teams, I think the Bulls are the best fit for LeBron, Branch said. “They’ve got Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah and I believe LeBron would be a perfect fit.

I believe they would contend for the Eastern Conference title and would be just as good as Cleveland Cavaliers was at the least.”

I agree with Branch on this one. I think the addition of James makes the Bulls contenders for the Eastern Conference title – if and only if – they can address their bench and supporting role player needs.

Can Financially Secure Get In the Winners Circle? – Bet on Horse Racing

Mother Nature wiped out racing at Belmont Park and Delaware Park on Wednesday, as the heat wave continued on the east coast.

The temperatures hit the mid 90’s on Wednesday afternoon at Belmont Park, and with the heat index reaching triple digits, racing was canceled.

It was the seventh cancelation in New York this year, the first since March, and hopefully the last one of the summer due to heat.

The weather calls for partly cloudy skies with a high temperature of 87 for Thursday afternoon, meaning we will be back in action.

The play of the day will make us financially secure, as the Chad Brown trainee Financially Secure looks headed to the winners circle to pick up his diploma in the sixth race.

We then start our Late Pick 3 play with a single, the Rudy Rodriguez trained We Get It, who will be tough to beat as the gelding drops a notch in class and tries the grass for the first time.

We then go two deep in the second leg, a five-horse field, and will attempt to pad our bankroll by going four deep in the final leg of the three-race sequence.

Today’s Play of the Day from Belmont Park:

BEL Race 6 Md $35,000 (3:40 ET)
#1 Financially Secure 8/5
#6 Zurs Victory 6/1
#3 Don Balcazio 7/2
#7 R J Hope 8/1

Analysis: #1 Financially Secure was the beaten chalk in each of his last three starts and figures to be the fav again today. Last out he was a game second, beaten a half-length for the top spot for this tag while four lengths clear of the rest of the field. Two back he was beaten just a head for the top spot in a three-way photo. The colt got a seven-week break after his last start and looks as if he finally finds a field he should be able to handle for the sharp Chad Brown barn.

#6 Zurs Victory was sent off at 6/1 in a field of seven in his debut at Gulfstream Park back in April, checking in a non threatening fifth. He drops in for a tag here for his second start, not exactly a good sign for a runner that was purchased for $385,000. The colt is by Storm Cat out of a Manila mare that has dropped three turf winners including stakes winner Quest Star ($938K).

Wagering
WIN: #1 to win at 8/5 or better.
EX: 1,6 / 1,3,6,7
TRI: 1,6 / 1,3,6,7 / 1,3,4,6,7

Today’s Pick 3 Play from Belmont Park:

Starting in Race 7: $2: 1 / 4,5 / 2,4,6,9 = $16

BEL Race 7 Clm $16,000N2L (4:12 ET)
#1 We Get It

#1 We Get It was a good second last out, no match for a 6 3/4-length winner on the main track. The effort came against non-winners of three and note this guy drops in to face non-winners of two here while trying turf for the first time. He does not have a great turf pedigree but does have one sib that has won on grass. More Fascination ($72K) all three of his wins coming on grass. He makes his third start since the red hot barn took this guy for $7.5K.

BEL Race 8 OClm $75,000N$Y (4:45 ET)
#5 Operation Red Dawn, #4 Al Khali

#5 Operation Red Dawn came with a six wide run and finished well for the runner up spot, not getting much pace to run at. The gelding makes his third start of his current form cycle here, and the gelding has done some of his best running over the turf here (15-5-4-4) including winning the Knickerbocker (G3) four back last fall.

#4 Al Khali exits the Monmouth (G3) in NJ where the four year old raced evenly in a fourth place finish. This guy is also a Grade 3 winner, taking the Sycamore at the Spa last September. The Mott barn has been very live at the meet, hitting at a 30% clip.

BEL Race 9 Md $16,000 (5:17 ET)
#2 Lupo, #9 Tough Cookie T, #4 King Prada, #6 Division Winner

#2 Lupo makes start #12 today, and that is a few too many chances, but he makes his first start here for the Galluscio barn that is 23% winners (with a +ROI) with newcomers to the barn. The gelding was not a factor last out for a $25k tag. He does have four runner up finishes ands drops into a softer spot here tagged for $16K. The gelding has four sibs that are grass winners.

#9 Tough Cookie T came with a six wide bid and made a mild late rally to finish fourth last out. The runner up was a next out grad for a $25K tag while the third place finisher graduated in his next start for $16K.

Price Plays From Belmont Park:
These are price plays to watch today. A small win-place wager is in order or if your pockets are deep enough, use these runners in your trifecta and Pick 3 and Pick 4 wagers. One or two of these could be the difference between a regular day at the track and hitting the IRS window with a signer.

R2: #5 Able Bellamy 10/1
R4: #6 Ungi Blanc 15/1
R6: #7 R J Hope 8/1

Good luck padding your bankroll today!

The Readers Weigh In – Will Heat Trio Contend for NBA Title if LeBron Comes?

The Miami Heat have superstar shooting guard Dwyane Wade back in the fold and have added gifted power forward/center Chris Bosh in free agency.

The Heat are hoping to land LeBron Jams when he makes his nationally-televised announcement, but one expert NBA analyst – and two lifelong NBA betting lovers –all agree that even if James does go to the Heat, nothing will be etched in stone when it comes to the league’s newest ‘Big Three’.

NBA expert Aaron Torres weighed in by saying this about Miami’s chances to contend if they do indeed land James.

“It sounds like for all intents and purposes that’s where LeBron is going to end up,” Torres wrote in an e-mail. “But can the "Three Amigos," and a bunch of scrap parts really deliver a title?”

George Coley Jr., a lifelong Miami Heat fan from Philadelphia, agreed with Torres by saying, “If he goes to Miami, they’re definitely in the playoffs, but would probably fall short until they get a good bench together. If they get the bench together this offseason, they could contend for the Eastern Conference Finals.”

Keith Branch, a lifelong Philadelphia ‘baller’ that played the same position as James (small forward) and now resides in New Jersey, had the most interesting take on the possibility of James joining Wade and Bosh in Miami, vociferously stating his opinion.

“Magic Johnson didn’t want to play with Larry Bird, he wanted to meet up against him in the Finals and shake his hand win or lose,” Branch said. “Any great player wants to create his own legacy and Miami is still Dwyane Wade’s team. Besides, the Heat are not guaranteed anything in the Eastern Conference. I do think they all three players would sacrifice their individual games and do what it takes to win, but the Heat would need some bench players before they can even be mentioned as a possible title contender.”

I agree with Torres and my other two NBA experts on this possible scenario playing out. I think LeBron James knows that it will appear as if he is desperate to join Bosh and Wade in Miami, but that it also likely represents his best opportunity to win right away.

However, if the Heat don’t reach the NBA Finals at the very least, things could get very ugly – and I wonder how much each player is willing to sacrifice of his own individual game in order to build an annual title contender.

Personally, I think James is leaning toward either going to Miami or staying with Cleveland, but then again, that’s why we’ll all be in front of the television watching James make his announcement at 9 PM ET.

Expert, NBA Fans, Weigh In – Will Knicks or Nets Become Contenders if LeBron Comes?

One expert NBA writer – and two of the most knowledgeable pro hoops fans I know – have weighed in with their thoughts on what will likely happen to the New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks should LeBron James, the biggest free agent in NBA history, decide to join either of these respective franchises.

With James’ free agency announcement of where he intends to play next season, just a mere matter of hours away, let’s gets started.

Expert sports journalist Aaron Torres shared his thoughts on James possibly going to the Knicks by saying, “This press conference is being held in Greenwich, Conn., which is just a hop, skip and a jump from NYC.  Yet no one in New York seems to actually think the Knicks are going to land LeBron. What gives?

Torres was downright comical with his assessment of James possibly joining the Nets, writing, New Jersey: No… No… No!!!

George Coley Jr. from Philadelphia had this to say about James and his New York-area possibilities.

“If he goes to the Knicks, they still have a lot of work to do and probably wouldn’t make the playoffs. If he goes to New Jersey, they’re automatically in the playoffs and could theoretically contend for something. They have a great coach in Avery Johnson that should have never been fired by Dallas in the first place.”

Keith Branch from New Jersey
Branch, a sweet-shooting small forward I grew up with, had this to say about James and had a polar-opposite take on the New Jersey Nets than Torres

“The Knicks need more pieces. I wouldn’t go to the Knicks, they’d still have three or four years before they’re ready to contend. They need a big man and there’s a lot more pieces to the puzzle they’d need in order to contend for anything,” he said.

“I love the Nets and I love their young center (Robin Lopez). If he’s going to the New York area, the Nets would be the much better team to join. They have a wonderful point guard and an owner willing to spend big money to improve their team. The Nets would be in the playoffs immediately and that’s a start, but they’ll probably get knocked out in the first round. I’d give them two years for them to contend for the Eastern Conference title though.

My personal feelings say that if James joins the Knicks, the team won’t be contenders for the Eastern Conference title for at least two or three years at the very least, depending on whom the team surrounds him with.

Like Branch, I also like the New Jersey Nets and their situation, though I agree they won’t be ready to challenge for the Eastern Conference crown for at least two seasons themselves.

NBA Betting Insider – Torres Tells Truth, Readers Weigh in on James, Possible Return to Cavs

NBA fans and betting buffs everywhere will love this no-holds-barred, tell-it-like-it-is, breakdown of what knowledgeable sports journalist Aaron Torres and two avid NBA followers have to say about the possibility of superstar small forward LeBron James re-joining his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers after an unprecedented free agency period.

Torres got right to the point – and pulled no punches in his assessment of James and his potential return to the Cavaliers.

“I think this is the team that everyone wants and nobody really expects,” Torres wrote in an e-mail. “Cleveland would never forgive LeBron if he abandons them tonight on national TV … nor should they.”

George Coley Jr. from Philadelphia
An extremely knowledgeable NBA lifer, Coley, Jr. was also definitive with his stance of James going back to the Cavaliers.

“The Cavs would have to do something too for them to be title contenders again,” he said via telephone. “They’d have basically the same team as last year, though I do like the addition of head coach Byron Scott. They’d make the playoffs again but would fall short of reaching their ultimate glory – again.”

Keith Branch from New Jersey
Branch, like James, is a sweet-shooting small forward out of Philadelphia (with a much better jumper than James) who weighed in by saying “The Cavs would make the playoffs, but they still are missing a dominant center and a point guard that is going to step up in the postseason.”

Branch agreed with Coley Jr., adding, “Maybe Byron Scott would help, but they’d have to pick up somebody. They’ve got two backup centers and need a starter, not to mention a point guard that’s going to step up. Ultimately, you need players to win.”

I’m going to agree with all three guys here, with Torres being spot-on inn his assessment. I genuinely believe that if James doesn’t return to the Cavaliers he will have hell to pay from disgruntled Cavs fans everywhere and rightfully so.

James will also have a ton of added pressure to win immediately if he deems another franchise has a better chance of winning multiple championships than the Cavaliers.

Of course, Coley Jr. and Branch are also correct by that if James returns to Cleveland, the franchise had better do something really, smart – and fast – if they want to win and keep James happy.

Defending Champ Stricker Squares Off with Ex-Masters King – Golf Betting Odds

Golf bettors love to analyze head-to-head matchups between strong players, and in the John Deere Classic, starting Thursday at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, IL, Steve Stricker, the defending champion in the event, squares off against Zach Johnson, the former Masters champion who was among a group of three who were right behind him in 2009. Stricker is the +1200 favorite to win the tourney, and is a -135 betting favorite in this head-to-head matchup. Johnson, the underdog, is priced at +105. Both of these players can also be seen next week at the British Open at St. Andrews.

PGA Golf Betting

John Deere Classic
TPC Deere Run – Silvis, IL
July 8-11

TV Schedule

• First Round – Thursday, July 8 – The Golf Channel 3-6pm EST
• Second Round – Friday, July 9 – The Golf Channel 3-6pm EST
• Third Round – Saturday, July 10 – CBS, 3-6pm EST
• Final Round – Sunday, July 11 – CBS, 3-6pm EST

 

The tournament betting matchup we have before us offers two of the top finishers from last year’s John Deere Classic. Of course, Stricker is the defending champion, while Johnson tied for second place with Brandt Snedeker, who is out of this event, and Brett Quigley.

Tournament Betting Matchup
STEVE STRICKER  -135
ZACH JOHNSON  +105

Stricker is currently ranked 4th in the world in the Official World Golf Rankings, That puts him ahead of the likes of Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Ian Poulter, Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington, etc. Stricker has a win earlier this year, at the Northern Trust Open, which gave him a sharp start of T10 (SBS Championship), 3rd (Sony Open) and first. In his last five tournaments, he has gone T52, T30, T38, T17 and T58, which may not give a lot of people confidence coming into this event. He is ranked 124th on the tour in terms of driving distance, which is not necessarily something that hurts him at Deere Run. Keep in mind, however, that Stricker has the longest drive on the PGA Tour this season, as he hit a 424-yarder at the SBS. Last year he was the best bet for sure, as he really tore up the course at Silvis, finishing 20 under-par to outdistance Johnson and the two others by three strokes. he shot an opening round 71 to look rather ordinary, but then shot an extraordinary 61 in the second round to tie the course record. He drives the ball very accurately, which helps him, obviously. The momentum that he DOESN’T carry into this week is the only thing that gives us pause.

Johnson has a little more in the way of momentum going for him right now. Less than six weeks ago he won at Colonial with four rounds at 66 or lower. At the St. Jude Classic he tied for 12th, with only one round over 69. Of course, there was a rough ride at the links in Pebble Beach, as he went 77-78-79 the last three rounds to become a non-factor. Johnson’s John Deere experience last year was a pleasant one that might have put him on top in other years. He shot 69-68-64-66, coming on obviously in those last two rounds. This came about seven weeks after his win in the Texas Open. The 2007 Masters champion, like Stricker, is not a big hitter (ranked 129th in distance), but it’s not going to be the kind of thing that is going to penalize all that much, as long as he can control his golf ball. In that category, Johnson comes through nicely, as he hits 70% of fairways and then, when he gets to the green, ranks among the top 40 in birdies and putting average. I think he does enough to deserve a play as the betting underdog here.

JAY’S BETTING PLAY:  JOHNSON (+105) **
(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)

European Tour – Is Lefty a Good Bet to Finish in the Top 10 at the Barclays Scottish Open?

Phil Mickelson will do his prepping for the 3rd major tournament of 2010, the British Open, in this week’s Barclays Scottish Open on the European Tour.

He’s a big +800 favorite to beat a stellar field at Glasgow this week.  He’s definitely not worth a golf bet to win at +800 because of the competition he faces but is he a good bet in the golf sportsbook to finish in the Top 10 at Glasgow?

Not really.  He’s not the worst golf bet but he’s not the best either to finish in the Top 10 at Loch Lamond this week.  This field is just too deep to put that much faith in Lefty.

European Tour:  Barclays Scottish Open

Where:  Loch Lamond, GC, Glasgow, Scotland

When:  July 8th thru July 11th

TV:  The Golf Channel

Top 10

Best Golf Bet A:  Martin Kaymer +125

Kaymer has finished in the Top 10 in 2 out of his last 3 tournaments.  He finished 6th at the Open de France in his last tournament played and 8th at the U.S. Open 3 tournaments ago.  His 12th at The Celtic Manor Wales Open was an almost Top 10.  Oh, yes, he also won the Barclays Scottish Open in 2010.  I’d say he’s a good golf bet to garner a Top 10 finish this week.

Best Golf Bet B:  Graeme McDowell +150

What is 4th, 1st and 1st?  Graeme McDowell’s last 3 finishes in his last 3 tournaments.  He finished 4th at the Madrid Masters before winning both The Celtic Manor Wales Open and the U.S. Open.  Graeme held off some serious golfers in the U.S. Open.  This guy is en fuego and the golf odds are actually nice on him to just finish in the Top 10.

Worst Golf Wager:  Miguel Angel Jimenez +300

Yes, he’s coming off of a victory in the Open de France, but how often does Jimenez follow up a victory (heck, a Top 10 finish!) with another great finish?  Not very often.  After winning the Dubai Desert Classic earlier this year, he finished 33rd at the WGC-Accenture when losing in the 1st round of that match play tournament.  After an 8th place finish at The Celtic Manor Wales Open, Miguel went home in 84th place at the U.S. Open.  At +300 he’s an underlay to finish in the Top 10 at Glasgow this week.
 
Best Underdog Golf Wager:  Raphael Jacquelin +600

Jacquelin hasn’t been playing all that badly on the European Tour in 2010.  He has recorded 3 Top 10 finishes on the year including a 3rd at the Open de Espana.  He’s coming off of an 18th place finish at the Open de France.  He also finished 2nd at the Barclays Scottish Open in 2009 while shooting a 13 under, only 2 strokes off of last year’s winner, Martin Kaymer.  He’s worth consideration to finish in the Top 10 at those nice golf betting odds.

Others To Consider

Phil Mickelson -140 – - Lefty can step it up at a moment’s notice, but the golf odds suck.  It’s your call regarding value on the 2nd best player in the world to finish in the Top 10 at Loch Lamond.

Retief Goosen +200 – - Retief’s won the Barclays Scottish Open before and finished 6th in the 2009 edition of the tournament.

Francesco Molinari +225 – - Molinari didn’t play all that well in the 2009 Barclays Scottish Open.  He’s going into the tournament off of a 2nd place finish at the Open de France, however, and is brimming with confidence.

Charl Schwartzel +225 – - Schwartzel’s game should start to come around this week after that 32nd place finish at the Open de France last week.   

This week’s European Tour Event is the Barclays Scottish Open!  Log onto the golf sportsbook and bet the Barclays Scottish Open!    

European Tour – Tournament Matchup Bets for the Barclays Scottish Open

Which golfers figure to be the best golf bets in tournament matchup wagering for the Barclays Scottish Open?

Is Lefty a good bet to beat Ernie Els?  Is Graeme McDowell a good bet to beat Martin Kaymer?  The Barclays Scottish Open has produced an awesome field of stick and ball men!

Let’s see where the real value is in tournament matchup bets for the Barclays Scottish Open!

European Tour:  Barclays Scottish Open

Where:  Loch Lamond, GC, Glasgow, Scotland

When:  July 8th thru July 11th

TV:  The Golf Channel

Tournament Matchups

 

1. Phil Mickelson -135 vs. Ernie Els +105 – - This is a no-brainer for me.  Lefty’s the 2nd ranked golfer in the world, yes, but Ernie should have a huge advantage in this tournament because he shot a 7 under at Loch Lamond in 2009.  The golf odds on Ernie make my decision even easier.  Besides, everybody knows that Phil is practicing.

           Pick:  Ernie Els +105

2. Martin Kaymer -135 vs. Graeme McDowell +105 – - Kaymer won the Barclays Scottish Open in 2009 but McDowell’s been on fire. That’s exactly it, though, right?  McDowell has to cool off sometime.  He can’t keep winning tournaments and Kaymer destroyed the course last year when shooting a 15 under.

 

           Pick:  Martin Kaymer -135

3. Retief Goosen -130 vs. Francesco Molinari Ev – - Goose finished 6th, 4 strokes behind Kaymer in the 2009 Barclays Scottish Open while Molinari finished in 35th place.  Molinari had a good Open de France when finishing 2nd, however.  That’s enough for me to back him against Goose.

 

           Pick:  Francesco Molinari Ev

4. Charl Schwartzel -125 vs. Ross Fisher -105 – - Fisher shot a 10 under at Loch Lamond in 2009.  Schwartzel was terrible at the 2009 Scottish Open, but he also wasn’t great last week at the Open de France and Charl hardly ever plays badly in 2 straight tournaments.

 

            Pick:  Charl Schwartzel -125

5. Miguel Angel Jimenez -125 vs. Vijay Singh -105 – - Jimenez is going to “bounce” off of that Open de France victory last week, but he won’t play as badly as Singh in this tournament.  Vijay hasn’t been good since late 2008.  To make matters worse, he looked extremely uncomfortable putting last week.  I’m not happy about betting on Jimenez, but he should be able to beat Vijay in this matchup.

 

            Pick:  Miguel Angel Jimenez -125

6. JB Holmes -125 vs. Thomas Bjorn -105 – - Holmes is a good golfer and he’s coming off of a 5th place finish at the AT&T National, but Bjorn won the Estoril Open de Portugal and has finished in the Top 20 in his last 3 tournaments.  He figures to send JB packing in this matchup.

 

           Pick:  Thomas Bjorn -105

This week’s European Tour Tournament is the Barclays Scottish Open!  Log onto the golf sportsbook and bet the Barclays Scottish Open!    

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