Although a labor dispute between billionaire owners and millionaire players has wiped out all exhibition games and, far worse, is threatening to force the cancellation of the entire season, a handful of fearless sportsbooks have taken a positive view and posted NBA betting future book odds on which team will win the 2011/12 NBA Championship.
So, assuming that both sides realize that there's enough money to keep everyone in gold-plated Nikes for a while and the warring parties eventually settle this thing, which team is favored to walk away with the title next summer? Well, it would have to be the defending champion Mavericks, right? Or maybe the Bulls, who had the best regular season record in the NBA last season? Perhaps it's the Spurs, who had the best regular season record in the tougher Western Conference last year? Could it be the Lakers, who won back-to-back titles in 2009-10? Well then it has to be the Celtics, who have won a record 17 NBA Championships, won it all as recently as 2008 and were runner-ups in 2010?
Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong.
Actually, the Heat opened as a 5/2 favorite to win this season's (again, if there is a season) NBA Championship. Miami, which, like the lavishly spending Yankees in Major League Baseball, has emerged as the team everyone wants to beat. The Heat earned its status—both on sportsbooks' wagering boards and the ire of fans—when it added free agents LeBron James and Chris Bosh to fellow all-star Dwayne Wade. The three-headed monster was supposed to win it all last year, going from a 25/1 longshot to a 7/5 favorite in futures a year ago after luring James and Bosh to South Beach. NBA betting fans will have to decide if the team, which at times lacked leadership and a presence in the paint last season, can make amends and win it all this season.
Los Angeles, Chicago, upstart Oklahoma City, Dallas and Boston all stand in the way of Miami. The Lakers, who opened at future book odds of 11/2, enter the season without Zen master Phil Jackson, now doing car commercials, running things from the bench. Thankfully for super fan Jack Nicholson, the team still retains the services of Kobe Bryant, the game's best closer, and fellow all-star Pau Gasol.
The Bulls opened at 5/1 in futures, largely because league MVP Derrick Rose can do so much for Chicago from the point.
At odds of 7/1, the Thunder is a wiseguy pick of sorts, a future book choice that has drawn the wagering interest of some sophisticated gamblers. Kevin Durant (27.7 PPG) and Russell Westbrook (21.9 PPG) form the league's most lethal duo and Oklahoma City appears on the verge of true contention.
Led by Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavericks won it all last season, beating the Heat for the title in six games. Dallas was sent off at future book odds of 25/1 at this time a year ago but now you only get 9/1 on the Mavs repeating.
The Celtics, who opened at future book odds of 12/1, lost in the Eastern Conference semi-finals to the Heat last season and the concern for NBA betting aficionados this time around is whether Boston has one more surge in the old legs of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.
Given that Dallas won last season after opening at odds of 25/1 in futures, you can't blame NBA betting devotees if they're in a mood to shop for another longshot this season. The Magic and the Knicks, each at 20/1, might fit that scenario but gamblers also might want to consider the Trail Blazers and Grizzlies, each at 25/1; the Spurs at 28/1; and the Hawks at 33/1.
As usual, in addition to championship betting, many sportsbooks also are offering separate odds on winning the respective Eastern and Western Conferences. In general, a team's conference odds are about half their championship odds.
In addition to futures on teams, some sportsbooks also are listing prices on which player will be named NBA Rookie of the Year.
Derrick Williams, who was drafted by Minnesota, opened as the 5/2 favorite, partly because he will see plenty of playing time for the lowly Timberwolves.
Kemba Walker, who will get his chance to showcase his talents in Charlotte, is the 11/2 second choice, followed by Cleveland point guard Kylie Irving, 11/2, the overall No. 1 draft pick in the league.
Enus Kanter (Utah) and Jimmer Fredette (Sacramento) each at odds of 15/2, also are in the mix, as is Ricky Rubio (Minnesota) at 10/1.
NBA betting fans are ready. All they need now is a season.
This article was written by Luken Karel for http://www.thegreek.com. The Greek Sportsbook & Casino is host to one of the top online sportsbooks offering college football betting and sports betting on NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and all other major sports. The Greek is a must have sports betting and entertainment portal with one of the largest wagering menus available online. Article reproductions must include a link pointing to http://www.thegreek.com
