BETTING ON THE 2008 NBA DRAFT - ODDS AND ANALYSIS
6/26/08
By Ryan Patterson
With the conclusion of the 2008 NBA Playoffs and
the monstrous victory of the Boston Celtics we have
something new to look forward to in the NBA. You
guessed it, the NBA draft. The draft is always one
of the most exciting parts of the NBA. Not only does
it provide some wonderful betting opportunities with
sportsbooks posting odds and prop bets, but we as
fans have an opportunity to see who the future stars
of the game will be.
Last year we saw Ohio State’s Greg Oden taken as the
#1 overall pick in the draft. His sheer size and raw
talent elevated him to the top of his class. Was he
the best player in the draft? I don’t think so. The
second selection in the draft, Kevin Durant, was in
fact the best player. Durant proved an instant
impact player going on to become the NBA rookie of
the year. Meanwhile, Oden was injured before the
season and didn’t play one second. The third overall
choice, Al Horford also proved invaluable for his
team. He averaged a double double for the Hawks in
their 3 playoff games.
This year’s draft includes the likes of Derrick
Rose, Micheal Beasley, OJ Mayo, and Kevin Love.
Memphis’s Derrick Rose is the early, and heavy
betting favorite at 1-5 to be the first selection in
the draft. Rose is a guard with great scoring
ability. He will be exiting Memphis after leading
them to the national championship game in only his
freshman year. Beasley who has been tabbed at
betting odds of 5-2 to go as the first pick had a
monstrous freshman year at Kansas State. Recruited
by mastermind Bob Huggins, Beasley is a forward and
he led his team with 26.2 PPG and 12.4 RPG. Those
are truly epic stats! USC’s Shooting Guard OJ Mayo
can also shoot the ball. He scored a career high 37
points against Arizona State, sinking 7 of 10 three
pointers. He has been set at 50-1 odds to become the
first pick. Mayo’s cross town rival UCLA had fellow
freshman Kevin Love. He averaged 17.5 PPG and 10.6
RPG. Love is quite a force in the paint! He has been
tabbed at betting odds of 100-1 to become the first
selection in the draft.
If you’re a fan of college basketball, then you have
probably heard of the Lopez twins. Brook, and Robin
both attended Stanford. Brook is going to be headed
to the NBA but Robin will stay for another year of
college ball. Brook Lopez is a 7 foot 1 inch center
who can shoot and rebound well. He averaged 19.3 PPG
and 8.2 RPG in his final season with Stanford. You
can get him for 100-1 odds to become the first pick
in the draft. On the other hand, if you don’t like
any of the players I mentioned you can have the
field at the lofty odds of 25-1!
Make sure to tune in to ESPN on June 26 for the NBA
draft! My choice for the first pick is going to be
Michael Beasley, at odds of 5-2. Regardless of who
goes where, this is going to be one of the best
drafts in a long time. I’m sure in a few years time
Mayo, Love, Beasley, Lopez or Rose will be a member
of a national championship team. There is only one
way to find out; watch.....and while your at it, if
you like the odds, bet!