Bet on the Lakers!

Real quick post today.

So, I'm sure you watched or heard about the Lakers epic collapse last night. And yes it was pretty epic. But I'm taking a different spin on this, and it's something you can thank me for later.

In a previous life, I used to bet on sports. Problem is I didn't do that well… Actually my problem was that I liked Bodoglife.com's Live Betting, which is almost impossible to win at.

But here's the ATB Wager Lock of the Year.

Lakers in Game 5.

I looked it up, and there's no line on the game yet, but I don't care. Game 5 was made for the Lakers to win, and I think you should put a fair chunk of change on the game. And here's why:

1. The Celtics have been in LA since June 9th. By the time they play Game 5, they would have been on the road for 9 days. This constitutes a big road trip. And what is the cardinal rule about road trips? You get tired at the end of them. Meanwhile the Lakers have been sleeping comfortably in their own beds for this span, perhaps the longest span they've had all season.

2. Kobe Bryant played like complete garbage last game. This will not happen again.

3. NBA conspiricsy theories dictate that the league will want the game to go to at least six games. With this much TV money on the line for every game, how can the NBA let this series end in 5?

So take my word* for it, and put a boatload of money on the Lakers on Sunday night.

*Word is totally worthless

Looking at the Lions 2008 Running Backs

DetroitLions.com is currently bragging about the Lions running back situation for the 2008 season — calling it an open competition for playing time.


Yuck.


Usually competition brings out the best in everyone…if there are talented players involved. In case you have forgot (or blocked it from your memory) here is was the Lions "running back corp" looks like for the upcoming season.

Suspect 1, Tatum Bell — The penciled in starter for the season. Yes, the same Tatum Bell that was lighting the world on-fire as a Lions' Running Back last year. He was so good in fact, that the Lions judged him to be a little too useful to the team and relegated him to DNP-CD decisions for the last part of the season.

Let me say this for the final time. Mr. Tatum Bell is not a good running back. He is the uber-definition of a lucky Denver running back — An untalented back, who lucked out that he got into the 1000 yard friendly system that is the Broncos. For further examples look consider Anderson, Mike and Droughns, Ruben.

Suspect 2, Kevin Smith? — I put a question mark after this because I'm really not sure who is going to be the second running back this year. Out of all of the guys on the list, Smith is my favorite. He almost broke Barry Sanders 'unbreakable' record for rushing yards in a season while at Central Florida. Seems like he must have at least some talent, but everything I've ever heard about him makes him sound he makes molasses seems fast, which is usually not a recipe for success in the NFL

Suspect 3, Aveion Cason — I like this guy because he pops up all the time. No matter the year or the coach you can count on Aveion Cason showing up in your programs at Ford Field. Problem is, I'm the only person happy to see him, as other people usually like players with "talent."

Suspect 4, Artose Pinner — On second thought, maybe I'm confusing Aveion Cason with Artose Pinner?

Suspect 5, Brian Calhoun — I really liked him at Wisconsin, but the NFL has not been kind to him. After what seems like 9 ACL tears, Calhoun has only managed 14 Rushing attempts for the Lions over his two year career. Don't count on much.

Suspect 6, Ervin Allen — I just had to point this guy out. His number is currently 39B, and he's from some college called Lambuth.

After running down the list, I feel less good about the RB situation that I did when I started the blog post. If I had to rank them I would probably put them somewhere in the neighborhood 39th in the NFL. Yes, it's that bad.

Last Chance for the Tigers

Since a certain ATB Staff Writer hasn't updated the blog in a week, I felt compelled to pick up the slack.

Every series for the last two weeks has been labeled as the Tiger's "last chance" to get back into the division race and the best they could do is take two of four from a slumping Indian's team. So tonight, for the last time this baseball season, I will get my hopes up. The first place White Sox come into town, without losing a game in the last week, ready to effectively end the Tiger's season.

As of right now, the Tiger's sit 11 games out of first place. Anything less than a series sweep just won't make a big enough dent in the standings to matter. Even winning 2 games leaves them ten games out.

So here it is, we can watch tonight to see if this collection of overpaid players can come together and give themselves a chance at making something of this season. If they can't pull it off, the next seven weeks leading up to the trade deadline will mean the Tigers will be putting together a pretty talented fire sale.