With the completion of the highly-publicized 2008 NBA Draft on Thursday evening, the BetUS NBA online sports wagering community should have a much better idea today of how every NBA team will fare during the 2008-09 season that is slated to begin in earnest this coming October.
With tons of other sports taking precedence in the BetUS Sportsbook at the moment, here is a look at the 2008-09 NBA Championship Odds for each team in the BetUS Futures section of the BetUS Sportsbook, along with their respective 2008 NBA Draft picks and thoughts on how each NBA Teams will fare next season because of their, either excellent – or boneheaded draft night moves and transactions.
NBA Odds To Win 2008-09 NBA Championship
Atlanta Hawks +7000
The Hawks had no draft choices, but have an explosive, young athletic team that should be better next season on experience alone, although adding another player or two during free agency is not out of the question as of yet.
Boston Celtics +275
The NBA Champion Celtics got younger and much more athletic with the addition of shooting guard J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker, a small forward out of Kansas – just like former No. 1 draft pick Paul Pierce. NBA online bettors can expect the Celtics to reach the Eastern Conference Finals once again next season at the very least.
Charlotte Bobcats +10000
Hello D.J. Augustin and goodbye Raymond Felton. Simply put, I believe Augustin is the most NBA-ready point guard in the entire draft and should help the Bobcats improve quickly under task master Larry Brown. By the way, it’s a good thing Augustin has thick skin playing for the toughest coach on point guards the game has ever seen.
Chicago Bulls +2200
I like Derrick Rose, just not enough to take him with the first overall pick – especially when a player like Michael Beasley is clearly the most explosive and NBA-ready player in the entire draft. I think the Bulls may have dropped the ball here unless they make a spectacular trade to move incumbent starting point guard Kirk Hinrich, who, by the way, is a fine player in his own right.
Cleveland Cavaliers +1700
Taking power forward J.J. Hickson over hometown center Kosta Kuofos, when the Cavs clearly need another center to back up aging Zydrynas Ilgauskas, may turn out to be a big mistake for the Cavaliers, who are no closer to winning an NBA title now than they were before the draft.
Dallas Mavericks +2200
The Mavericks got a steal in Shan Foster, an excellent scorer who could flourish playing alongside Jason Kidd – if he doesn’t retire before Foster is ready. Too bad the Mavs still haven’t realized they need some big bodies to compete with Tim Duncan in the Western Conference. Duh!
Denver Nuggets +3500
Denver traded away their pick at No. 20 and has big-time leadership problems with selfish stars Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony leading the way. Until this team learns hot to play some defense, xpect a first round flameout in next season’s playoffs.
Detroit Pistons +1000
The Pistons pretty much grabbed three, ‘no-name’ players in the second round, but you won’t get me to ever second guess Joe Dumars. Besides, this club will be wheeling and dealing soon enough, though an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals next season may be pushing it a bit.
Golden State Warriors +5000
The Warriors drafted a clone of the player they drafted last year in athletic power forward Anthony Randolph, a less experienced version of Julian Wright, last year’s No. 1 pick.
Houston Rockets +1700
The Rockets got two players that could be solid contributors for years in Donte Greene and Joey Dorsey. The Rockets will definitely get out of the first round of next season’s playoffs. Just remember, you heard it here first NBA bettors!
Indiana Pacers +12500
The Pacers did an excellent job in getting Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert and may have had the league’s best overall draft. Still, the playoffs may be a reach next season.
Los Angeles Clippers +12000
Eric Gordon is going to be a star and DeAndre Jordan could be too – one day. Excellent job here by the Clippers – if Shawn Livingston comes all the way back.
Los Angeles Lakers +300
The Lakers took Joe Crawford at No. 58. Who is Joe Crawford you ask? My thoughts exactly. When I think Joe Crawford, I think NBA referee.
Memphis Grizzlies +20000
O.J. Mayo and Darrell Arthur are young and athletic and will help the Grizzlies win – if they’re still on the roster in five years or so.
Miami Heat +4000
The Heat really wanted Rose, but will just have to do with the best player in the draft in Michael Beasley. Besides, the team also added two other genuine NBA players in Mario Chalmers and Darnell Jackson. Beasley and D-Wade could help the Heat reach the playoffs next season.
Milwaukee Bucks +12000
The Bucks dropped the ball in a big way - which is why they are perennial losers. After acquiring all-star small forward Richard Jefferson from the New Jersey Nets, the Bucks inexplicably grabbed two more small forwards in the draft in Joe Alexander and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. The Scott Skiles era is already off to a rocky start thanks to Milwaukee’s head-scratching moves on draft night.
Minnesota Timberwolves +12000
Smart move getting Kevin Love – and sharp-shooting Mike Miller from the Memphis Grizzlies. Still, this team is a long way away from winning anything significant.
New Jersey Nets +7500
Brook Lopez and CDR make this an excellent draft, not to mention the fact that they got Yi Jianlian from the Bucks. Ryan Anderson will also make the roster as the Nets make a big push to try and acquire LeBron James in 2010.
New Orleans Hornets +1400
No picks for the Hornets who sold their first round pick for a cool $3 million. Still, I like the Hornets to reach the conference finals next season.
New York Knicks +5000
Danilo Gallinari is a perfect fit for new head coach Mike D’Antoni’s up-tempo style. Now all the Knicks needs is about eight more legitimate players.
Orlando Magic +2000
The Magic made a really good pick in nabbing mature shooting guard Courtney Lee, who could start right away for Orlando. The Magic should be better next season on experience alone. Now if Dwight Howard learns how to make a jump shot…
Philadelphia 76ers +6000
With starting center Samuel Dalembert, not able to beat assistant coach Moses Malone in a game of one-on-one, the Sixers clearly need big men that know how to play. Marreese Speights was an excellent pick here, though he will need at least two years to really develop.
Phoenix Suns +1500
With starting center Shaquille O’Neal now a shell of his former self – except when it comes to laying down stupid freestyle raps about NBA Legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Suns made an excellent pick in grabbing center Robin Lopez, a player I believe will surpass everyone’s expectations except his own.
Portland Trail Blazers +3000
Jerryd Bayless could turn out to be a star and likewise for thin, athletic French forward Nicklaus Batum.
Sacramento Kings +10000
Poor Reggie Theus … it’s a shame he works for such an incompetent franchise. The Kings dropped the ball in a big way by reaching for Jason Thompson when Brandon Rush and several other more talented players were still on the board.
San Antonio Spurs +700
So what no one has ever heard of any of the Spurs’ draft picks – I’ll never second guess this franchise’s drafting methods when they continue to make the right player transactions year after year.
Seattle SuperSonics +20000
Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka and D.J. White will all make the Sonics’ young roster next season as this club continues to build for its future, which may not be as far down the road as most people think.
Toronto Raptors +6000
The Raptors got Jermaine O’Neal for T.J. Ford, which should help the Raptors in a big way depending on O’Neal’s health. Nathan Jawai, (who?) was a reach in the second round.
Utah Jazz +1200
Cleveland’s loss was Jerry Sloan’s gain as Kosta Kuofos will be very solid at the least – and a near all-star at best.
Washington Wizards +4500
JaVale McGee is a big time athletic talent … too bad he won’t be ready to really contribute for at least two seasons.
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