Report: Artest joining Lakers
Basketball Betting Lines
07/02/2009 -
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Free agent forward Ron Artest is
reportedly leaving the Houston Rockets to join the Los Angeles Lakers and will
provide the team with more offensive firepower next season, as he'll join Kobe
Bryant and Pau Gasol on the defending NBA champions.
Artest told CBSsports.com via text message he was in Los Angeles to join the
Lakers and didn't "care about the money" and that he would "play there for
nothing."
According to the Los Angeles Times, the Lakers could finalize a deal with the
29-year-old that will pay him the full mid-level exception, possibly $32
million over five seasons. It would represent a pay cut after Artest made $7.4
million last season.
Even if the two sides were to reach an agreement soon, no deal could be
officially announced until July 8, per league rules.
The Thursday news regarding Artest came on the same day another superstar had
an introductory press conference. Ex-Laker Shaquille O'Neal met the media in
Cleveland and said he wanted to "win a ring for The King" in reference to his
new pairing with reigning MVP LeBron James.
Artest spent last season with the Rockets, helping Houston get to the
conference semifinals for the first time since 1996-97. After spending three
seasons in Sacramento, Artest averaged 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3
assists in 69 regular season contests with Houston.
For his career, spanning 12 seasons, Artest has game averages of 16.1 points,
5.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists with Chicago, Indiana, Sacramento and Houston. He
has also established himself as one of the top-flight defenders in the league.
In another twist, the man Artest would replace in the lineup -- Trevor Ariza
-- reportedly was offered a contract by the Rockets. The LA Times reported
that Ariza, who was instrumental in the Lakers' playoff run to the title, was
offered a contract near the value of the mid-level exception.
Ariza averaged 11.3 points per game in the postseason after posting 8.9 points
per game in the regular season. His career scoring average is 6.9 points.
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MySportsbook.com Posts Heisman Trophy Odds
With 3,919 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and a mere seven interceptions last season, combined with a powerful South Bend Heisman legacy, odds makers at MySportsbook.com have given Notre Dame senior quarterback Brady Quinn the best Heisman Trophy odds at 5-2.
Quinn isn’t the only big man on campus this season. Oklahoma junior running back and 2004 Heisman runner-up Adrian Peterson, listed at 7-2, rushed for a combined 3,033 yards in his first two years as a college player and will give Quinn a run for his money.
This online sportsbook has also listed Troy Smith, Ohio State senior quarterback, as another strong favorite to win the 72nd Heisman Trophy. A 7-1 bet, Smith threw for 2,282 yards last season and also led the Buckeyes to a convincing 34-20 victory over Quinn and the Fighting Irish in last season’s Fiesta Bowl.
Current betting odds Heisman trophy are:
Brady Quinn (QB, Notre Dame)
Adrian Peterson (RB, Oklahoma)
Troy Smith (QB, Ohio State)
Michael Bush (RB, Louisville)
Steve Slaton (RB, West Virginia)
Brian Brohm (QB, Louisville)
Chris Leak (QB, Florida)
Mike Hart (RB, Michigan)
Ted Ginn (WR, Ohio State)
Darius Walker (RB, Notre Dame)
Drew Tate (QB, Iowa)
Marshawn Lynch (RB, Cal)
Kenny Irons (RB, Auburn)
Chad Henne (QB, Michigan)
Kyle Wright (QB, Miami)
Drew Stanton (QB, Michigan State)
Kenneth Darby (RB, Alabama)
JaMarcus Russell (QB, LSU)
Drew Weatherford (QB, Florida State)
Blake Mitchell (QB, South Carolina)
Reggie Ball (QB, Georgia Tech) |
5-2
7-2
7-1
10-1
10-1
12-1
12-1
18-1
18-1
20-1
30-1
35-1
35-1
40-1
50-1
50-1
60-1
60-1
60-1
60-1
60-1 |
For complete NCAA Football odds visit MySportsbook.com.
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