Kerr: No "huge rush" to hire new Suns coach

Basketball Betting Lines

05/12/2008 -

PHOENIX (AP) -There is ``no big rush'' to hire a new coach for the Phoenix Suns, the team's general manager said Monday.

Steve Kerr said he plans a thorough search that includes people with teams still in the NBA playoffs.

``We're going to make sure we cover our bases,'' he said. ``There's not a huge rush because we're not one of five or six teams out there looking for someone, so we don't feel like we're competing with other people.''

The Suns are looking for a coach in the offseason for the first time in two decades after Mike D'Antoni left to become coach of the New York Knicks. D'Antoni's departure followed philosophical differences with Kerr, who took over as GM a year ago.

Kerr said he and owner Robert Sarver wanted D'Antoni to stay, but the coach balked at some of the changes the general manager wanted. Those reportedly included a bigger emphasis on defense, giving playing time to some younger players and perhaps altering his staff.

But Kerr wants no major alteration in the Suns' style.

``Our personnel is geared toward getting out and running,'' he said. ``It's exciting basketball. I believe in it. I just think we need to be more balanced, though. We have to be better at the other end of the court as well, so I'll be looking for someone who shares that vision.''

D'Antoni resigned with two years and $8.5 million remaining on his Suns contract. He compiled a 232-96 record over the last four full seasons, but the team could never make it to the NBA finals. Three times the Suns were eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs.

``Mike had great success here and did a really good job,'' Kerr said. ``The players should appreciate what he's done and I appreciate what he's done, but for all the different circumstances and reasons, he's moving on and we're moving on.''

The Suns' five-game loss to San Antonio in the first round this year reinforced many of Kerr's feelings about the need for an added emphasis on defense. But D'Antoni's easygoing, funny and highly personable demeanor masks an intense competitiveness and more than a little stubbornness.

That helped lead to his falling out with the Suns, and when D'Antoni asked for permission to talk with other teams, it brought an end to his highly entertaining era.

Kerr has a list of prospects and was setting up interviews, but wouldn't say how many names were involved, let alone who they are. He acknowledged it could take an experienced coach to best deal with the team.

``We have a veteran team and we have a chance to win big next year,'' Kerr said. ``Maybe it would be different if we were a young team trying to build for the future or whatever, but with that said, whoever stands out, stands out.''

The coach will have to coexist with Shaquille O'Neal, something others in that position occasionally have struggled with.

``I think you need somebody with a presence, somebody the guys are going to respect,'' Kerr said. ``That's true with everybody, but particularly a guy like Shaq who had a big presence and a big personality and has won championships.'''

Because there are candidates still involved in the playoffs, it could be several weeks before someone is hired.

``At the same time, if someone jumps out at us immediately, this could happen quicker than we think,'' Kerr said, ``but the point of being methodical is being thorough.''

Rather than lament the end of the D'Antoni era, Kerr said people should be excited about ``the chance to improve our team.''

With the stunning trade of Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks for O'Neal, and now the drawn-out departure of a coach who won at least 54 games in each of the last four seasons, it's been a tumultuous first year on the job for Kerr.

The 15-year NBA veteran and former University of Arizona standout left a comfortable job in TV to take the Suns' job.

``I certainly didn't expect this amount of change in one year, but I also understand that's the way the league works,'' he said. ``Things are fluid. They change pretty quickly.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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Albert Pujols to be This Year's Home Run Champ Says Online Sportsbook

Barry Bonds is a 50-1 long shot to be this year's home run champ odds.  The favorite to be this year's home run champ is none other than Albert Pujols, however.

Now that Barry Bonds is signed and in Giants camp, it is on to his pursuit of all of sports most prestigious records: the all-time home run mark. Bonds sits just 21 homers shy of tying Hank Aaron for the career mark at 755. Word out of Giants’ camp is that Bonds is the healthiest he has been in a few years. Bonds is just two seasons removed from his injury riddled 2005 campaign where he played in only 14 games and hit only 5 home runs. He did come back last year and had a solid season hitting .270 with 26 bombs. All eyes will be on Bonds this spring and summer not only because of his home run chase but his highly publicized steroid abuse allegations. If and when Bonds breaks the record, he surely will not get the positive attention one should for breaking a record that was once thought of as “unbreakable”. Despite Bonds decent season last year, he is just 50-1 at MySportsbook.com to lead the MLB in long balls this season.

Not surprisingly, the favorites to go deep the most times this season are Albert Pujols 5-1, Ryan Howard 6-1, David Ortiz 8-1 and Alex Rodriguez 12-1. With 49 homers, Pujols finished second in the National League behind Howard (58). Pujols is considered the favorite due to the consistent power numbers that he has posted since breaking into the league in 2001. Also one must consider the fact that he played in 16 fewer games then Howard did due to an injury. Howard smashed 58 homers in his first complete season of big league play en route to the National League MVP odds award. He silenced his critics by successfully hitting left-handed pitching. Howard also displayed the ability to use his power to the opposite field. Two attributes which should keep Howard amongst the league leaders in long balls for years to come. From the American League representatives, David Ortiz leads the field. Ortiz was second in the majors last year with 54 home runs. Except for 1999 when he only played in 10 games, Ortiz has improved on his home run numbers each year he has been in the majors (1997).

Be sure to log onto online sports betting site MySportsbook.com to check out the odds for who will lead the MLB in home runs this season. Below is just a sample of the players listed. With the highest credit card rates in the industry, MySportsbook.com is the place to bet on baseball this summer.



Adam Dunn 15-1

Albert Pujols 5-1

Alex Rodriguez 12-1

Alfonso Soriano 15-1

Andruw Jones 25-1

Barry Bonds 50-1

Carlos Delgado 40-1

David Ortiz 8-1

Jermaine Dye 40-1

Ken Griffey Jr. 100-1

Lance Berkman 40-1

Manny Ramirez 20-1

Richie Sexson 40-1

Ryan Howard 6-1

Travis Hafner 20-1

Vladimir Guerrero 40-1

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.


Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends

We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS.  Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned.  For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go.  As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190).  Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”.   By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet.  For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction.  On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later.  Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick.  Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com

New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
 New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season. 
 
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times. 
 
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season. 
 
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS. 
 
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”.  With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit.  Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.

About MySportsbook.com MySportsbook.com  is the largest sportsbook and casino on the planet, where millions of adult Americans bet on sports, play poker and enjoy blackjack and other casino games online in a regulated and licensed jurisdiction. Named the "Best US Sports Book" by the industry's top magazine, eGaming Review, MySportsbook.com has been leading the online gaming industry since 1996. Dwarfing its nearest competitors in the US, MySportsbook.com has been the first to achieve every significant industry milestone, from record turnover to active users to number of bets--achieving a peak of fifteen bets per second. As the US online gaming leader, the firm and it's products have been featured on CBS 60 Minutes, CNN, ESPN, Wall Street Journal, Barrons, Financial Times, USA Today and in every major newspaper in the US.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your basketball sportsbook needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.