Blatt is no traitor

Basketball Betting Lines

09/10/2010 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It might never be described as America's pastime but basketball has always been America's game.

Sure, baseball and football are immensely popular in the United States, and Abner Doubleday's game can also brag about its huge following in Latin America and Japan, but much of the rest of the world has no interest in either of those sports.

Basketball, like soccer, transcends race, gender and culture. It simply translates better and is an easy-to-understand game that has been embraced by most.

And we (the United States) have always been the best at basketball. That's why people who don't care about the NBA or college hoops still feel something when Team USA loses in international competition.

The most heartbreaking loss in USA Basketball history was the 1972 Gold Medal game at the Munich Olympics, where seemingly corrupt officials gave Russia three chances to make a winning shot in the closing seconds. The third time was a charm and the Russians stole a 51-50 victory, marking the first time Team USA lost since the sport began Olympic play in 1936.

One referee, Renato Righetto, refused to sign the official scoring sheet after that game in an act of protest, and the U.S. immediately filed a protest of its own, which was heard by FIBA's five-member jury of appeal.

In a 3-2 decision divided along Cold War lines (Puerto Rico and Italy voted to uphold the appeal, while Hungary, Cuba and Poland voted to reject it), the jury voted down the protest and awarded the gold medals to the Soviet team. The U.S. was so incensed that its players refused to claim their silver medals.

Like a lot of people at the time, a teenager in Massachusetts who loved America's game wept. That young man was David Blatt, the current Russian national coach who is a dual American-Israeli citizen.

However, Blatt, who went on to become one of Europe's most successful coaches, winning titles in Italy, Israel and Russia, has a new outlook these days after watching a slanted documentary on the final minutes of the '72 game.

"If there's anything that living in Europe the past 30 years has taught me, it's to try to view issues like this from all sides, and form an opinion based on facts and perspective and impartiality -- even if it isn't popular or goes against the tide," Blatt told YAHOO! Sports. "That's the only way we can make any progress in life."

The current U.S. coach, Duke's Mike Krzyzewski, had a different take.

"He's Russian," Krzyzewski said before the U.S. and Russia met in the quarterfinals of the FIBA world championships on Thursday. "He coaches the Russian team. So he probably has that viewpoint. His eyes are clearer now because there are no tears in them."

Perhaps Krzyzewski was just trying to motivate a young team that probably doesn't understand the history of the Cold War or the once-heated USA-Russia rivalry. Or maybe he truly believes Blatt has turned against his country and is being unjust to the '72 team.

After all, the Russian coach is wrong. Any objective observer watching the closing minutes of the '72 game can't help but be embarrassed for the Russians for accepting their medals, along with FIBA and the International Olympic Committee for not correcting a decision that Righetto called "completely irregular, and outside the rules of the game of basketball."

And understand Krzyzewski has close ties to at least a couple of people involved with the '72 team. One of his assistant coaches at Duke, Chris Collins, is the son of Doug Collins, the current head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers and a star of the '72 team, while Mike Bantom, another member of the wronged club, travels with Team USA.

Either way, Krzyzewski got the last laugh on Thursday as his U.S. team outlasted a plucky Russian squad, 89-79, and secured a date with Lithuania in the semifinals.

"I don't know how much gamesmanship I practiced," Blatt said after the loss. "But it looks like the [USA] coach jumped on it and used it pretty good. His guys were awfully motivated and so was he."

Krzyzewski was far more tempered after earning the win and even lauded Blatt.

"I'd like to congratulate the Russian team for playing such a terrific game," Krzyzewski said after securing the win. "Coach Blatt has had an amazing career in coaching in Russia and the way his team played is an example of the high quality of coaching that he gives his players. We knew it would be a very difficult game and it was.

"I thought we were ready and we played hard. It's just that Russia played with great passion and they played very well. It was a very well-earned win against a terrific team with a terrific coach."

With the anniversary of September 11 approaching, patriotism - or a lack thereof - has been in the news a lot recently.

Blatt clearly stopped wearing his Red, White and Blue lenses sometime over the past 30 years but labeling him as a traitor, which some have done, is a bit harsh. He may have left the United States in the rear-view mirror but in doing so, Blatt brought one of America's greatest exports to thousands of people overseas.

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American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6  

The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.

Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com.  "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.

It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis.  It's like Week 1 of the NFL.  Pre-season means nada!

We do know the 24 finalists however.

Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24.  He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway.  He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien. 

Brandon Rogers - Who?

Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition.  He should go a good distance.

Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was.  And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition.  He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice!  People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way. 

"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks.  He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes.  But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.

A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”

Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes. 

"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate.  "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past.  He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far.  Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."

Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts) 

And the others:

Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter

The girls

"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis.  "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has.  The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive.  I think she will go far."

Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.

"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams.  Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth.  "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.

Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.

Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.

Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan

MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with). 

Last two contestants will be?

1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)

2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)

2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)

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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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