posted August 7, 2008 at 18:00 EST in NBA Props
2008 NBA Western Conference Championship Odds
by BetUS Staff
If you're ever in a fight and you're beating one of us
Break out, before you get bumrushed
At the... wild wild west
Many members of the BetUS NBA basketball sports wagering community may not know the aforementioned lyrics to the 1980s rap song made popular legendary rap artist Kool Moe Dee.
But one thing all BetUS online NBA bettors should know heading into the 2008-09 regular season, is the fact the aforementioned lyrics clearly apply to several imposing western conference teams.
The west looks like it will be stronger than ever while producing another postseason race of epic proportions just one season after one of the closest – and most entertaining – postseason races in league history in 2007.
With no less than seven teams having legitimate shots at winning the conference title in 2008-09, the race for first place should have BetUS basketball bettors licking their respective chops at the endless wagering possibilities on a multitude of western conference teams that are currently offering some fantastic NBA Futures Odds in the BetUS Sportsbook.
Here is a look at the 2008-09 Western Conference NBA Championship Odds, followed by my brief comment on each team and their individual chances of actually winning the conference title in 2008-09.
To Win Western Conference Championship
Sensational Seven
Los Angeles Lakers +125
While the Lakers went an impressive 57-25 last season to win the Western Conference and reach the NBA Finals, I am a bit miffed that they are the odds-on-favorite in the powerful western conference to win the conference title and reach the NBA Finals in back-to-back seasons. Still, it could certainly happen.
San Antonio Spurs +450
If I were a betting man, (which I am), I’d say my money is on the Spurs to do their ‘every-other-year’ championship thing in 2008-09 – or at least to reach the western conference finals.
New Orleans Hornets +750
The Hornets are offering NBA bettors some excellent NBA Futures Odds here and are my other preseason pick to reach the conference finals opposite the Spurs. With another year of experience under their collective bets, the Hornets are only going to get better with each passing game.
Utah Jazz +750
Jerry Sloan is one of my favorite coaches in all of sports and could genuinely get the Jazz to win the western conference in 2008-09 with just a bit more defense.
Phoenix Suns +750
While the Suns are in my ‘best bets’ category, I really don’t think they’ll be much more than a playoff participant. The Suns’ coaching change and style of play alterations, not to mention the fact that their starting center, Shaquille O’Neal can barely move these days, sounds like it adds up to another postseason flameout in 2008-09.
Houston Rockets +750
The Rockets are set to rock and roll all over some of their western conference opponents after acquiring enigmatic, but gifted, small forward Ron Artest from the Sacramento Kings. Lacking a player with ‘attitude’ to go along with nice-guy superstars Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, the Rockets may have hit the jackpot by getting the often-volatile Artest.
Dallas Mavericks +800
The Mavericks are sort of in the same category as the Suns in my estimation, although I think their hiring of Rick Carlisle to coach the undisciplined team was a stroke of genius. Dallas has one major pot-smoking head case, (Josh Howard), an aging point guard that can’t shoot straight on most nights and a seven-foot power forward that can’t play close to the basket. Sound like a recipe for trouble if you ask me.
Movin’ On Up
Portland Trail Blazers +1000
Simply put, I’m expecting the Portland Trailblazers to make a deep playoff run this season while moving into conference and league championship contention in the next season or two.
Not Gonna Happen
Denver Nuggets +1500
Let’s see … the Nuggets let go of their best defensive player and rebounder and will once again depend on two scorers, (Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony) that avoid defense, or anything resembling it, like the Bubonic Plague.
Golden State Warriors +2000
The loss of Baron Davis will hurt since the team’s new starting point guard and best player, Monta Ellis is really a shooting guard that is being asked to play out of position. Still, with players like Stephen Jackson and exciting rookie Anthony Randolph, the run-and-gun Warrior will be entertaining to watch.
Los Angeles Clippers +2500
Despite getting Baron Davis, the Clippers are going to be in big trouble in 2008-09 after losing all-star power forward Elton Brand in free agency. Davis and rookie Eric Gordon will be fun to watch, but that’s about it for the Clippers.
Memphis Grizzlies +10000
The Grizzlies are at least four years away from competing for anything other than the No.1 draft choice in the NBA’s annual Draft Lottery.
Minnesota Timberwolves +5000
The Timberwolves need a front office makeover if you ask me. Until GM Kevin McHale hits the road, I’m thinking the T-Wolves will continue to struggle.
Sacramento Kings +5000
The Kings have some young talent on the roster and a reason to hope for the future with the emphasis on the ‘future’ part. 2008-09 looks like another non-playoff year for the Kings.
Oklahoma City +5000
The former Seattle Supersonics franchise, now relocated in Oklahoma City, is building for the future and has at least three young players in Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook that could be future all-stars one day. Give this young team some time, like three years minimum.
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