Clock ticking on James' decision
Basketball Betting Lines
05/14/2010 - Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Will he stay or will he go?
Now that LeBron James' seventh season with the Cavaliers is over, again without a championship, the clock begins on his decision if the two-time reigning NBA MVP will remain with Cleveland for next season and beyond or choose to leave via free agency.
With Cleveland's 94-85 loss Thursday night to the Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Cavaliers were left to taste defeat again short of a title, one of the only missing pieces of James' early career.
"It's all about winning for me and I think the Cavs are committed to doing that, but at the same time I'm giving myself options to this point," James said regarding the impending free agency. "My team, we have a game plan that we're going to execute. We'll see where we'll be at."
At just 25, James has the bulk of his NBA career ahead of him, but possibly not in Ohio, the home state of the two-time All-Star Game MVP. Once free agency begins July 1, the Cavs would seem to have a hometown advantage in keeping James, the Akron native and top overall pick by the team in 2003.
Because the NBA plays financial favoritism to teams re-signing their veterans, James could stand to make about $30 million more with the Cavs if he stays with them vs. say signing with the Bulls or Knicks. The Cavaliers can likely offer James a six-year, $125.5 million contract, while other teams can give him a maximum of five years and $96.1 million.
On the reverse side, James might also stand to make more money if he goes to a larger media market such as Chicago or New York due to endorsements. But none of that was on his mind Thursday night after his triple-double performance of 27 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists or his nine turnovers.
"I didn't play this season wondering what I was going to do in the off- season," James said. "I approached every game, every practice, every day like it was my last. I just wanted to try to continue getting better as a leader and as a player everyday. Never at one point, at any point, did it factor in what I'm gonna do this summer."
And now the waiting begins.
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Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Odds
Will he or won't he? Now that the Dallas Cowboys have a new head coach in Wade Phillips, the big question will be: Does Terrell Owens stay with the team.
Jerry Jones continues to suggest that Terrell Owens will remain with the team.
"I've said that he's back, he's here, he's under contract," Jones said. "In the interviews I've just been through (to hire a new coach), it was very clear to me how highly he's thought of and how much of an impact he had on our offensive success."
Just to be sure though, Terrell Owens cleared out his locker and removed his name plate.
Terrell Owens was among the Cowboys most productive players this past season, catching 85 passes for 1,180 yards and a league-best 13 touchdowns.
But T.O. is due a $3 million roster bonus in June, then a $5 million salary this season. Cutting him before then would save a lot of money and headaches.
Aside from the questions surrounding Terrell Owens, the oddsmakers at MySportsbook.com have concerns over starting quarterback Tony Romo's state of mind and whether he will remain a starting quarterback. It is also not known how players will adjust to new head coach, Wade Phillips.
Here are the football odds as seen at MySportsbook.com and subject to change after February 10, 2007 if not locked in prior to that date.
Arizona Cardinals 60-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Baltimore Ravens 15-1
Buffalo Bills 50-1
Carolina Panthers 18-1
Chicago Bears 10-1
Cincinnati Bengals 15-1
Cleveland Browns 100-1
Dallas Cowboys 15-1
Denver Broncos 15-1
Detroit Lions 100-1
Green Bay Packers 50-1
Houston Texans 100-1
Indianapolis Colts 6-1
Jacksonville Jaguars 30-1
Kansas City Chiefs 30-1
Miami Dolphins 40-1
Minnesota Vikings 75-1
New England Patriots 10-1
New Orleans Saints 18-1
New York Giants 20-1
New York Jets 30-1
Oakland Raiders 100-1
Philadelphia Eagles 18-1
Pittsburgh Steelers 10-1
Saint Louis Rams 60-1
San Diego Chargers 6-1
San Francisco 49ers 75-1
Seattle Seahawks 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccanneers 75-1
Tennessee Titans 40-1
Washington Redskins 50-1
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MySportsbook.com week 1 NFL lines
Now that the 2008 NFL schedule is finally out, it is only matter-of-course for lines on “Week 1” to follow. Of course MySportsbook.com is the first to churn out odds for the NFL’s inaugural week for the upcoming season. Expect a lot of fireworks the first Thursday night of the season as the defending champion Indianapolis Colts face off against the surprise of the 2008 season, the New Orleans Saints. These teams were ranked #1 and #3 in the NFL respectively a season ago so a high scoring affair could be in order. As of now, the Colts will be giving 6 points to the Saints; keep in mind the Saints were one of the better road teams last season going 6-3 SU and 7-2 ATS. The first Monday night of the season will again provide a “double feature”. Coming off a disappointing season, the Cincinnati Bengals will look to get back to playoffs and improve their public image as they take on the AFC North favorite Baltimore Ravens. The second game features a couple of teams that haven’t had too much success recently but each could make some noise if the NFC is as weak as it was last year as the San Francisco 49ers host the Arizona Cardinals. The most interesting game of the opening week will feature the NFC champion Bears as they hit the road to take on the NFL’s top team during last year’s regular season, the San Diego Chargers.
MySportsbook.com Week 1 odds:
Saints +6 @ Colts -6
Falcons @ Vikings (pick ‘em)
Panthers @ Rams (pick ‘em)
Broncos -3.5 @ Bills +3.5
Chiefs -1 @ Texans +1
Dolphins +3 @ Redskins -3
Patriots -5 @ Jets +5
Eagles -3.5 @ Packers +3.5
Steelers -4 @ Browns +4
Titans +6 @ Jaguars -6
Bears +6 @ Chargers -6
Lions +3 @ Raiders -3
Bucs +6.5 @ Seahawks -6.5
Giants +4 @ Cowboys -4
Ravens +3 @ Bengals -3
Cardinals +3 @ 49ers -3
Super Bowl line (2008)
NFC +6.5 vs. AFC -6.5
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