Minnesota Timberwolves 2010 Draft Preview
Basketball Betting Lines
06/21/2010 -
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - You name it and the Minnesota Timberwolves likely need it.
Kurt Rambis' Wolves are among the very worst in the NBA at both ends of the
floor. Outside of Al Jefferson and Kevin Love up front and a solid
developmental point guard prospect in Jonny Flynn, Minnesota needs help all
over.
Bringing over Ricky Rubio from Spain, last year's No. 5 overall selection,
either to play or as trade bait is key for second-year general manager David
Kahn, who has three first round selections in this year's draft, starting with
No. 4.
Nothing is off the board for Minnesota, which needs a defensive-minded big,
along with added depth at virtually every spot on the floor. Kahn would
consider trading Love or Jefferson as well as Rubio as part of a blockbuster
deal that remakes the franchise.
The team's annual hard-luck in the lottery continued this year, as it fell
from the second spot to No. 4 and will likely have to make a decision between
Kentucky center DeMarcus Cousins and Syracuse forward Wesley Johnson.
My guess is the Wolves take the safe bet and that's Johnson, a silky-smooth
small forward with a big wingspan and a nice jumper.
Later in the first Minnesota could look at Kansas freshman shooting guard
Xavier Henry as well as Butler forward Gordon Hayward and Texas guard Avery
Bradley. In fact, anybody who can put the ball in the basket should be
considered by the Wolves.
Players under contract: G/F Corey Brewer; G Wayne Ellington; G Jonny Flynn;
F Ryan Gomes; C Ryan Hollins; C/F Al Jefferson; F/C Kevin Love; G Ramon
Sessions; C Greg Stiemsma
Free agents: F Nathan Jawai (restricted); F Brian Cardinal (unrestricted);
C Darko Milicic (unrestricted); G/F Sasha Pavlovic (unrestricted); F/C Oleksiy
Pecherov (unrestricted); F/G Damien Wilkins (unrestricted)
Draft picks: 1st round (4th overall, 16th overall, 23rd overall), 2nd round
(45th overall, 56th overall).
<< Milwaukee Bucks 2010 Draft Preview
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Bucks hit a home run with the 10th overall pick in
last year's draft, taking dynamic point guard Brandon Jennings.
Jennings teamed with the improving Andrew Bogut and veteran John Salmons to
get Milwaukee over the hum
<< Zenyatta continues to lead national poll
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Undefeated mare Zenyatta remains atop the NTRA
Thoroughbred Poll for the week ending June 20. The six-year-old champion has
never lost in 17 career starts.
Zenyatta, who won the Vanity Handicap on June 1
<< Greece faces huge challenge against Argentina
Polokwane, South Africa (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Greece was impressive in the final
57 minutes of its victory over Nigeria, scoring twice to overturn a deficit in
its first-ever FIFA World Cup victory.
Dimitris Salpigidis notched Greece's first-e
<< Miami Heat 2010 Draft Preview
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Miami Heat have just four players under contract right
now but their plans are clear.
Pat Riley hopes to re-sign All-Star guard Dwyane Wade and bring in another
top-tier free agent to team with his superstar, with most
<< Line of Scrimmage: How high is the sky for Redskins?
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two years ago, an NFL team coming off a
4-12 season made banner headlines by dealing for a highly-decorated veteran
quarterback who was expected to return that franchise to glory.
The same team beefed up t
New Jersey Nets 2010 Draft Preview >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After a disastrous 12-win season the New Jersey Nets have
undergone a makeover, starting with billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov and
new head coach Avery Johnson.
Prokhorov is hell-bent on turning around this thing quickl
Missouri State's Martin gets extension >>
Springfield, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Missouri State has extended the contract
of men's head basketball coach Cuonzo Martin.
The deal was approved by the University Board of Governors on Friday.
Martin will earn a base salary of $140,000
New York Knicks 2010 Draft Preview >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Well, this is it.
Donnie Walsh has waited patiently for two years, creating roster flexibility
with the intent of convincing Cleveland superstar LeBron James to take up
residence in the Big Apple.
The Knicks' cupboard i
Harman and Clemson handle Arizona State >>
Omaha, NE (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Casey Harman worked six-plus solid innings and
five different players drove in a run, as Clemson knocked off Arizona State,
6-3, in first round action at the College World Series in Omaha.
Clemson tallied t
Mauer still leads AL All-Star balloting >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer remained the
top vote-getter among American League players in the latest fan balloting
results for this year's All-Star Game, which will be played July 13 at Angel
Stadium
MySportsbook.com: NFL draft - The NFC South
In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South. Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC. The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game. For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft. Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.
1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign? New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1. Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT. Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.
Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami
2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season. With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round. LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems. If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.
Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU
3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season. The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach. The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub. High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career. With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson.
Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season. The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age. It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot. This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.
Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas
It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season. On the clock: the NFC North
Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2
Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1
Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1
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