Tolliver brings a sense of humor to the Twin Cities
Basketball Betting Lines
08/09/2010 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It's probably a good idea to have a sense of humor if you are around a basketball team that amassed all of 15 wins and finished 38 games out of first place.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have done their best to remake the roster that "accomplished" that last season, shipping a perceived "bad seed," power forward Al Jefferson, to Salt Lake City, while giving second-year coach Kurt Rambis some exciting new options like Syracuse rookie forward Wesley Johnson, former Bucks point guard Luke Ridnour, and a former No. 2 overall pick in Michael Beasley.
Of course this is the 'Wolves so you can bet the black cloud hanging over the franchise hasn't fully dissipated just yet. Promising sophomore point guard Jonny Flynn underwent surgery in late July to repair a labral tear and remove extra bone from his left hip and is expected to be sidelined from basketball activities for three to four months.
It's safe to say Minnesota still has a ways to go before Kobe and his Laker teammates are shaking in their boots but basketball chief David Kahn made another move late last week by agreeing on a two-year deal with Anthony Tolliver, a forward with all of 65 career games on his NBA resume.
It's not the type of signing that will require a press conference at Target Center but the 6-foot-9 Tolliver has shown some offensive skills with the Golden State Warriors and he should be able to carve out a few minutes in Rambis' frontcourt rotation that will include Johnson, Martell Webster, Kevin Love and Beasley.
Tolliver's biggest contribution to the 'Wolves, however, may be in the locker room.
He announced his decision to leave Oakland for the Twin Cities last Friday in a short YouTube video, spoofing LeBron James' often criticized "The Decision" special on ESPN last month.
In the video entitled "The Decision: Part Deux!!," a woman off camera asks the former D-League star when he made his decision.
"Um, I think I made my decision this morning while using the bathroom," Tolliver said. "It just came to me."
Unknown interviewer: "So, are you going to let us know your decision?"
After writing his decision on a piece of paper, presumably to build up the suspense, Tolliver said: "I will be taking my services to the north, the Minnesota Timberwolves."
A wolf is then heard howling in the background as Tolliver continued:
"Thank you to all my fans who have been following me and following my decision. It's been a great run and hopefully this is just the beginning."
James, of course, famously announced his decision by saying "I will be taking my talents to South Beach."
It's tough for a role player to become a leader in any locker room but humor is often the first step in getting along with people, especially in a close- knit atmosphere like the NBA.
Tolliver will never be a superstar on the court in Minneapolis. Off the court, he's off to a very good start.
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Jersey Nets and Toronto Raptors will play the first-ever NBA regular season games in Europe at the O2 Arena in London, England on March 4 and 5. "The staging of our first regular-season games
<< Gustafson into top 25 of world rankings
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sophie Gustafson's victory at the Ladies
Irish Open on Sunday moved her back into the top 25 of this week's world
rankings.
Gustafson moved up six places to No. 24.
There were no changes in the
<< Dallas Cowboys 2010 Season Preview
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jerry Jones has never been one to scale back when it comes
to his goals. The colorful Dallas Cowboys owner is certainly thinking big in
2010.
Last year Jones unveiled to an awaiting public his longtime grand design, a
spe
<< Cards re-sign FB Maui'a
Tempe, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Arizona Cardinals have re-signed fullback
Reagan Maui'a and waived-injured fullback Charles Ali.
Maui'a was released by the Cardinals on July 30 after being signed last
January. He originally sig
<< ODU won't have Davenport on roster
Norfolk, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - West Virginia transfer Dominik Davenport will
not be eligible for Old Dominion's football team this season.
The redshirt freshman defensive tackle joined the Monarchs in the spring. The
school announced he comp
Edmonton, AB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Edmonton Oilers have agreed to terms with left wing Liam Reddox on a one-year contract. Reddox collected two assists in nine games for Edmonton last season. He spent most of the campaign with Springfi
Blue Jays' draft pick Diedrick proving his worth >>
Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - About the only thing bigger than Philip
Diedrick's heart is his smile.
Diedrick's infectious grin and mild-mannered approach to life are attributes
that serve him well in life and on the diamond.
I
Rematch between Blame and Quality Road not immediate >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Saturday's dramatic stretch drive between
Blame and Quality Road in the Whitney Handicap will have to satisfy race fans
for more than a month. The earliest the two four-year-olds will meet again
appears
Mahan up to 12th in world rankings >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hunter Mahan's victory Sunday at the WGC-
Bridgestone Invitational moved the American to 12th in this week's world golf
rankings.
Mahan moved up 19 spots this week after his biggest professional win.
Red Wings ink veteran blueliner Salei >>
Detroit, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Red Wings have signed
defenseman Ruslan Salei to a one-year contract.
No terms of the deal were disclosed.
Salei was limited to just 14 games because of a back injury last season
Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards
Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.
Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.
Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.
Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.
All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.
A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.
For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.
2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award
Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1
Ron Brace (NE) 25/1
Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1
Darius Butler (NE) 40/1
Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1
Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1
Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1
Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1
Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1
Larry English (SD) 15/1
Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1
Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1
Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1
Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1
James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1
Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1
Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1
Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1
Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1
Roy Miller (TB) 20/1
Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1
Fili Moala (IND) 30/1
Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1
Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1
B J Raji (GB) 7/1
Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1
Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1
David Verkune (CLE) 20/1
Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1
Field (Any Other Player) 6/1
To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.