Posts Tagged ‘gambling’

Fantasy Basketball Update for 2009-2010

With the basketball season about to start, many fantasy basketball leagues have begun to form. Some are in the midst of drafting as we speak. If yours is coming up, I hope you should be lucky enough to end up with a top pick. If you are, there are some great options this year.

There are great players to choose from, there’s no doubt about that. However, I see how it can be a difficult decision, and I’d like to help you out a bit. Let’s take a look at the potential contenders at number one this year.

First and foremost, many owners are taking Chris Paul with their first picks. Paul is an elite fantasy stud, and the best point guard in the sport. He’s also been the number one ranked fantasy player for two straight seasons.

People love Paul’s exceptional stats, especially when it comes to his assists and his defense. There’s truly no one better in either area, and these stats will surely anchor a team in the assists and steals departments.

You might appreciate the versatility of LeBron James though. Having a forward who gets you 7+ assists per game is a rare thing, and it gives you a lot of flexibility at the guard position.

In addition to his assists, he’s an exceptional shot blocker and three point shooter. He’s also a legitimate contender to lead the league in scoring, and should average somewhere around 30 points per game. He’s extremely durable and rarely misses a game due to injury.

Others might prefer someone like Dwyane Wade or Kobe Bryant. Both of these players are extremely well rounded, score a ton of points, and give a huge boost to any fantasy basketball team.

Some may even choose to go with a sleeper pick like Kevin Durant or Danny Granger, both fine options as well. Ultimately, the decision is yours and it all depends on the stat categories you’re going after and who appeals to you. As they say, go with your gut.

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Is Andy Roddick’s Fitness Enough for a US Open?

Andy Roddick is at an inflection point as far as his career is concerned. The 2009 US Open could dictate where his career goes from here.

On one hand, he has seen the rebirth of his talents, leading him to arguably his best season in a while thanks to being as fit as he was when he won his only major in 2003.

While Roddick is in great shape at the moment, time isn’t exactly his friend right now. Currently 26, he’ll be 27 by the end of the calendar year, which really only leaves him with a few more years to play effective tennis. The American tennis world is counting on Roddick to come through for them, as other Americans like Blake, Fish, and Querrey aren’t considered legitimate contenders for a Grand Slam.

When looking at the rest of the top-5 players, aside from Roger Federer, they’re all at least three years younger than Roddick. There’s a good chance that each of these players will maintain his level of play, and quite possibly improve. With respect to Federer, it seems that he’s found his form once again.

Roddick came oh so close to winning Wimbledon 2009, taking Roger Federer the distance and nearly defeating him in the 5th set to strip the crown away from the kind of the grass.

Whatever the case may be, Andy Roddick must seize the day and play the best tennis he possibly can. The field is a competitive one, but this is the time for him to win another slam, and possibly some more.

Roddick showed the tennis world what he’s capable of doing. At this point, it’s all in his hands to prove that it wasn’t a fluke. Many write it off since Rafael Nadal sat out from Wimbledon with injury. Nadal, the defending champion, probably would have emerged from Roddick’s half of the draw, say critics.

The US Open is HIS Grand Slam, and a huge statement can be made if he could snap Roger Federer’s streak of five on route to his 2nd slam of his career.

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NCAA Coach Cutliffe Must Make Up Mind

David Cutcliffe made a smart coaching decision by promptly announcing Sunday that Thad Lewis would be his quarterback for this Saturday’s battle with the Kansas Jayhawks.

Although I have only one issue with the way Cutcliffe went about it. It chiefly is such a trivial thing and I was reluctant to even mention it, although felt compelled to do so.

Cutcliffe indicated Lewis was one of several athletes who had gotten the flu and sat out in practice time.

If you tell me Lewis is a hero, I am okay with this, mostly because I don’t have a say in the matter and you might care less what my belief is. Although there is furthermore the fact that you’re the head coach/quarterback sage and recognize more than I will ever recognize about that position.

There is no need to tell me Lewis is not one hundred percent.

He clearly claimed he did not want to create a qb controversy, however, as most know, qb debates nine times outside ten are created by enthusiasts and media, not personnel.

If a qb controversy manifests as a result of Renfree’s nice performance and Lewis’ not so good performance then cope with it if the questions appear.

While I agree with his choice and swiftness of it he may have opened up a undersized door for criticism of his starter.

If Lewis does not play favorably at Kansas then Cutcliffe will certainly be hit with questions about whether or not Lewis is 100 percent and if he isn’t, why isn’t Renfree playing more?.

So for the coach’s good I hope Lewis steps up and is victorious or has a nice game, because the last thing the team needs at the moment in the wake of the positive of besting Army is a debate.

Just ask Coach K if you are in search of a second opinion. He has had to deal with 1 or two of the type.

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Another Loss for NFL’s Lions

Matthew Stafford made his debut, and it was, how can I say, underwhelming? 16-37 for 205 yards and 3 INTs.

It was not that he was throwing bad-looking passes. They had been well crafted spirals that just happened to wind up in New Orleans Saints’ possession.

Stafford’s precision will be criticized for a prolonged time until he begins executing passes such as the excellent looking connection with Calvin Johnson on a frequent basis.

And just what did we all expect to have happen? All those who were in favor of starting Stafford, let me be the first to proclaim to you, there will be more games similar to this until Stafford gets it. But where was the running game? Where was the offensive line that showed such promise in the preseason? Where was the defense?

Ah yes, the defense – an area that was principally ignored in the ‘09 draft as the team decided to concentrate on offense.

No sacks on Drew Brees, which isn’t greatly unexpected as he was only sacked 13 times this past recent season, but wow, I don’t suppose they laid a hand on him the entire game.

I identify I had predicted the Lions winning between 6 to eight games this season…although now I’m not so sure. They won’t go without any wins like last year; at least I hope not.

The Lions are in a steep learning period, and I suppose Jim Schwartz, Scott Linehan, and Gunther Cunningham are the fitting coaches to guide the Lions in the right direction.

I’m moreover quite sure that due to this spectacle, the Lions are going to be doing exercises until they fall over.

Although I’m not as worried about the offense as I am the defense. The Lions did put up 27 points, and the majority of of the time, that’s going to earn you a small number of games.

Although giving up 515 yards, 28 1st downs, and six touchdown passes will not earn you a seat at the Super Bowl unless you are purchasing a ticket.

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