NBA Rookie Futures Betting
Everyone thinks this is a two horse race between Rose and Beasley, but I have news for you: It’s not. Rose may be the number one pick, and Beasley may be the Beast of South Beach, but there are plenty of players vying to prove their mettle in the coming NBA betting season. By the way, Rose isn’t the only first overall pick eligible for the NBA Rookie of the Year award…
Anthony Randolph (+2000) – Golden State Warriors
As far as longshots go, Randolph has the best chance to profit his betting faithful this coming season. The big man from LSU averaged 15.6 points per game and 8.5 rebounds and has a NBA body that is ready to go right this minute. With all the turmoil surrounding the Warriors this offseason, Randolph may be the needle in the haystack that they need. His thunderous jams and athletic play will put him in the highlight reel. Will it get him the NBA Rookie of the Year honors? As I said, it’s a longshot.
Derrick Rose (+350) – Chicago Bulls
With Ben Gordon on a one-man-mutiny, Rose will get the chance to shine right off the bat. In Memphis, Rose averaged 14.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists but had a talented roster to work with. Rose is only as good as the talent that surrounds him, which is why he’s the underdog in the race between him and Beasley. A point-guard needs to have solid support, and Chicago’s combustible nature may destroy his chances to win Rookie of the Year. If his leadership abilities can prove to right the sinking ship in Chicago, then he is unquestionably the guy to bet on.
Danilo Gallinari (+1700) – New York Knicks
Just kidding, New York. Seriously, who drafted this guy? I thought Isiah was locked away in the basement of Madison Square Garden.
Eric Gordon (+600) – LA Clippers
Eric Gordon was one contract away from having perhaps the best supporting cast of any rookie. And then Elton Brand signed in Philadelphia. Gordon and Baron Davis have to run like the wind from the guard position and Gordon will have to post huge, if not impossible, numbers to get noticed. However, at Indianapolis, the kid posted 20.9 points. If you don’t think the field-goal percentage between him and Davis is going to be anything but unreasonable, you’re dreaming. Same goes if you think he has the stuff to be considered Rookie of the Year.
Kevin Love (+700) – Minnesota Timberwolves
Love is perhaps the best value in our NBA betting futures because of his – yep I’m going to say it – tremendous upside. Love was a monster for UCLA, averaging 17.5 points and 10.6 rebounds will proving he was one of the most technically sound basketball players in college.
By playing alongside Al Jefferson, the Timberwolves will return to being one of the better, young team sin the NBA. If Love can help power them to the playoffs, Love will certainly garner a majority of the credit.
He has the body, the moves and the attitude to turn in to a model citizen for an NBA team that is desperate for a new identity in the post-KG era. After he’s had some time to prove his worth in the NBA, everyone will be feeling the Love, including his betting backers.
Michael Beasley (+150) – Miami Heat
Beasley is the heavy favorite because he’s ready to score, and his intense attitude is the x-factor that could propel him to the top of the heap. Surrounded by a resurgent Dwyane Wade and Shawn Marion, Beasley may be the third wheel in a hyper charged tricycle. However, that could work for and against him.
It’s still Wade’s show in Miami, and he prove din the Olympics that he’s ready for action. Beasley may light up the scoreboard, and the highlight reel, with his performances, but all credit for Miami’s impending success will be credited justly to Wade and perhaps Marion. Where does the leave Beasley? In this writer’s opinion, on the outside looking in when the votes are tallied for ROY.
Greg Oden (+300) – Portland Trailblazers
Did you forget about him? I bet you did. Oden is my favorite bet to win the Rookie of the Year, basically, because he was supposed to win it last year! After spending his entire first year on the injured reserve, Oden strangely qualifies for this award and stands a 1/3 favorite to win it all. And why not? He’s perhaps the best athlete in the entire draft, especially considering what he’s capable of doing as a legitimate 7-footer.
Oden is the strongest player in this year’s class because of what he’s capable of doing on the floor. With Portland finishing third in the Northwest division, all it will take for Oden to be recognized in this vote is for them to finish second behind Utah with a winning percentage above .500.
Stay tuned as he brings his absurdly strong inside-outside game to the NBA. Buy in while the getting’s hot.
OJ Mayo (+300) – Memphis Grizzlies
Mayo is the best scorer in the draft by far, which is something he’s been proving all summer long. While at USC, Mayo averaged 20.7 points per game, but was asked to do too much by the coaching staff. In Memphis, all he’ll have to do is score. And he’s proven that he can do that. Will it be enough to win him Rookie of the Year honors? Considering that all the other major contenders in this race actually have a viable chance to make the playoffs, it’ll take something astronomical for Mayo’s betting backers to win any money off of him in the futures.
