posted August 5, 2008 at 12:29 in NBA Betting Trends
Best and Worst Bets For NBA Rookie of the Year
This 2008-09 NBA Rookie of the Year award ‘Futures Feature’ will focus on the select few players that I believe are offering BetUS NBA online sports wagering enthusiasts the best and worst odds of actually taking home the NBA Rookie of the Year hardware and putting a sizable amount of earnings in scores of pro basketball bettors’ respective pockets.
Keep in mind BetUS NBA betting faithful, I am not selecting the players I believe will be the best NBA players, either next season or in the near future, I am simply offering my analysis on which NBA rookies I believe are offering online NBA bettors the best value of actually winning the award and covering their NBA odds for BetUS sports betting fans everywhere.
Alright people, with that long-winded explanation out of the way, let’s get busy.
Best Bets on the NBA Board
Michael Beasley +150
I like Derrick Rose, but I think the Chicago Bulls totally dropped the ball in passing on Beasley, the No. 2 overall selection of the Miami Heat. Even as a rookie, Beasley will get plenty of minutes and should get to take plenty of shots as well on a mediocre Miami Heat team. This award looks like Beasley’s to lose if you ask me.
OJ Mayo +300
The Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Mayo with the No. 3 overall selection, swapping rights with
The Memphis Grizzlies who got forward/center Kevin Love in return. Mayo could start right away in Memphis and will undoubtedly have a ton of opportunities to succeed even in his rookie season. A multi-talented player that can make others around him better, Mayo is another player with a serious shot of winning the 2008-09 ROY award.
Kevin Love +700
No. 5 Memphis
The former UCLA big man will give the Wolves a competent big body from the very first day. Love could start as a rookie and will undoubtedly provide toughness, rebounding and solid, but not prolific, scoring while playing a major role in Minnesota’s rebuilding plans.
Eric Gordon +600
Los Angeles Clippers No. 7
Gordon will likely start right away alongside recently acquired point guard Baron Davis and could really take off in his rookie season with Davis on board. Sure, he’s an undersized shooting guard that doesn’t distribute the ball like a point guard, but there won’t be many players that can stay in front of the often jaw-dropping Eric Gordon.
Jerryd Bayless +1000
The Indiana Pacers drafted Bayless with the No. 11 overall selection and traded his right to the Portland Trailblazers for the No. 13 pick, Jarrett Jack and big man, Josh McRoberts. Simply put, I think Bayless may turn out to be the best point guard in this entire draft with his explosive scoring ability and decent decision-making, which will only get better with time. Playing with a blossoming young team featuring talented players, Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and fellow rookie Greg Oden, Bayless is walking into a perfect situation to succeed under former NBA point guard Nate McMillan.
Russell Westbrook +1200
Oklahoma City got a big-time steal in Westbrook, who could start for the young team right away playing alongside of superstar Kevin Durant. Westbrook is the best ‘lockdown’ backcourt defender in the entire draft and a solid, but not flashy, decision-maker that is only going to get better with each game.
Danilo Gallinari +1700
The New York Knicks grabbed Gallinari with the No. 6 overall selection and will give the rookie forward plenty of minutes in new head coach Mike D’Antoni’s up-tempo offensive system. While D’Antoni played with Gallinari’s father in Europe years ago, the smooth Eurepean forward was drafted because he’s got plenty of game, not because of some former relationship.
Anthony Randolph +2000
Golden State Warriors, the No. 14 overall selection, set the pro summer leagues on fire with his jaw-dropping athleticism and ball-handling abilities. Is there any doubt that veteran head coach Don Nelson will find some sort of way to use Anthony’s abilities to impact the Warriors’ games in 2008-09?
Save Your Dough Joe
Kosta Koufos +3000
It’s not that I don’t like Kuofos, the No. 23 overall selection by the Utah Jazz; it’s just that I don’t see him getting enough playing time to actually make a difference. However, Kuofo, looks like he has a fine pro career in front of him.
Roy Hibbert +2400
Hibbert, taken No. 17 by the Raptors for the Indiana Pacers, will suit up for the Indiana Pacers after having his rights traded. However, I think Hibbert will struggle to adapt his already limited offensive skills to head coach Jim O’Brien’s motion-oriented offense.
DeAndre Jordan +4000
Draft by the New Orleans Hornets in the second round with the No. 35 pick, Jordan is undeniably athletically talented, but far too raw to make any significant contributions in 2008. Look for his development to really start to blossom in another two or three years.
You’ll find the latest 2007-2008 NBA odds and lines in the best online sportsbook, BetUS.com. Betting on NBA player and game props makes every aspect of the game exciting. Join BetUS.com today to bet on the NBA and make online sports betting work for you!
