The first week of NBA Free Agent signing went past gamblers like a blur. It went by so fast, in fact, that the odds on teams to win the NBA Championship haven’t changed all that much.

The Los Angeles Lakers are still the team to beat at +200 in the sportsbook even though they will go through a significant change next year when Ron Artest, one of the most talented, and most hot-headed, players in the NBA dons the purple and gold.

Let’s take a look at how Artest’s signing will affect the Lakers as well as two other very significant NBA Free Agent signings that occurred this past week.

NBA Free Agent Signings Update

** Odds to win NBA Championship

Los Angeles Lakers +200 - - Ron Artest is a Los Angeles Laker. One of the designated “Kobe Stoppers” in the NBA was signed by the Lakers to play the type of defense that Coach Phil Jackson is famous for. If the 29 year old Artest remains healthy, and more importantly can stay on the court, then the Lakers are an overlay at 2 to 1 to repeat as NBA Champions. The best case scenario is that Artest doesn’t get into any trouble, shows up and works hard, and literally shuts down the opposing team’s best player. In the playoffs, and the Lakers are at that point where making the playoffs is a foregone conclusion, Artest can guard either Richard Jefferson or Tony Parker or double down on Tim Duncan in the post if the Lakers face the Spurs. If they face the Jazz, Artest can guard Carlos Boozer. If they face the Rockets with a healthy Yao Ming, Artest can double down on Yao, guard a healthy Tracey McGrady, Shane Battier, or any number of Rocket players. If the Lakers face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Championship, who does Artest guard? LeBron “King” James. So, signing Artest is huge if, and this is a big one, he stays on the court.

Ron Artest has shown a history of getting into trouble both on and off the court. He routinely leads the league in technical fouls. That could be a problem, but there are two reasons that I believe Artest stays out of trouble in the upcoming season. First, he is a year older and understands that the Lakers are a solid franchise. He has history to live up to. Second, both Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant just won’t allow it. Ron Artest is a big move for the Lakers. It’s one that I absolutely respect and believe was right. At 2 to 1, L.A. is a big time overlay.

Houston Rockets +1700 - - By signing Ron Artest, the Lakes let Trevor Ariza go to the Houston Rockets. Here’s something that NBA gambling fans should realize - - the Lakers are not a rebuilding team. They sign players, maybe take a year or two to develop that player, and then try to go for the championship. Such is the case with Ariza who did develop during the playoffs and is an exciting player, but is not on the level of a Ron Artest. Will Ariza help Houston? Absolutely he will, but he won’t help the Rockets any more than Artest did and he definitely doesn’t bring the Rockets into the Lakers, Celtic, Cavaliers, Magic territory. Houston didn’t even get good enough to challenge the Spurs. So, what does this mean? It means that the Rockets get a nice player, Ariza gets paid, and nothing changes much. The bigger issue with Houston, and the reason they are a huge underlay in the sportsbook to win the NBA Championship is that Yao Ming’s career might be over. That could be a problem. 50 to 1 are odds that make more sense for this team.

Toronto Raptors +8000 - - At 80 to 1, I might be tempted to put a few bucks on the Toronto Raptors but only because I truly believe that they have a team that could cause some ripples in the Eastern Conference. Notice that I wrote ripples instead of waves? Toronto signed Hedo Turkoglu away from the Orlando Magic. It was a bold move and one that no doubt will help the Raptors get even better. We must remember that Toronto also has Chris Bosh, one of the best young talents in the game, and Jose Calderon is turning into a terrific guard. By renouncing the rights to Shawn Marion, Carlos Delfino and Anthony Parker, the Raptors get rid of some dead weight.

At the NBA odds, the Raptors might be worth a bet because their starting five is actually very good and they should make the playoffs. But in reality, if nothing drastic happens to Cleveland, Orlando or Boston, this team shouldn’t win the NBA Championship.


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