*** Friday

[XXX]

Big Jim

Nice points.

No doubt hockey is in trouble. But, the reason why hockey is losing money and its an accumulating effect of many years of lack luster games.

I WILL ALWAYS be a believer in defense wins championships...no doubt about that...but, the trap is different...its not just about defense...its about having the philosophy of- "how can the opposing star player of the other team flourish if we hold him in between the blue lines all night" ...this is a problem...even Bobby orr has said that in the past there would be a TON more penalties called versus this type of defense, but for some apparent reason hockey has accepted it....this style is not just pure defense; its about trying to get away with as much murder as possible as well...


its not the classic dungeon corner defense that depends on speed and skill...but, rather the trap PROVES that you can take a bunch of "C" players and win in this league...thats a HUGE problem for the league...its not healthy for the league to see an expansion team in the west finals HOSTING the west finals...it ONLY shows the LACK of high level hockey

leagues depend on marketing and hockey is tough enough to market to begin with, but how can this league market any stars when the league is "designed" to slow down the stars...just to think that Gretzky scored 92 goals and Lemieux scored 85 goals in JUST ONE season!!! or when defensemen like Bobby Orr or even in recent years such as Paul Coffey and Brian Leetch pushing the puck up and creating scoring chances....

but, now there is no room to skate for the stars...how is Joey Thornton gonna be the next great one when the Devils clutch and grabbed him every playoff game?

Yes...I agree the trap is the best defensive system ever implemented in hockey for success....BUT, the reason it is so succesful is cause of Gary Bettman and the league being SO LENIENT versus calling penalties against clutching and grabbing

The stats show the HUGE HUGE HUGE decline of scoring in hockey over the decades, ESPECIALLY play off time

I agree who cares about TV ratings? But the NHL has to care if they wanna get off the respirator...I mean we're all gamblers so we are a fan of all sports, but stop and think if you're just a regular fan of sports- why would you watch a bunch of grown men skate up and down the ice with no scoring? That would be the Devil-Wild matchup...the NHL should look carefully at why soccer shows promise every year but ALWAYS FALLS short of the expectations...its because people want to SEE "plays" and scoring not to see grown men in shorts jog around for a few hours to end in a scoreless tie


These are just my opinions...but, I do think Bettman has KILLED hockey!!!

[bigjimt]

Good points as well my man.

I just thought you were trying to equate Ottawa being in the finals, leading to higher TV ratings and therefore the league "pushing" them there with the benefit of the doubt on some of the crucial 50/50 calls that will arise, much the same way NBA conspiracy theorists say that the league "pushes" the Lakers into its finals (or at least attempts to) for TV ratings.

That maybe the longest sentence I've ever written.

[XXX]

Jim

Oh no no!!! Sorry if I wasn't clear in my first posts...TRUST ME I am the last person that will EVER believe in fixes, etc...I dont believe in that type of garbage, etc...I hate it when gamblers talk about fixes and stuff....or when they think of conspiracies for a particular team to win for such and such reason


I love your insights...keep them coming and good luck to you

[XXX]

NBA

NETS +3.5
UNDER 185.5


MLB

D Backs/Pirates OVER 8 (CRANK GAME for me...HUGE!!!)

[XXX]

MLB

Game 2

Orioles

O's/Royals OVER 8

[8484]

MAN I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU BE THIS COLD IN A LONG TIME I DON'T SEE PITT GOING OVER AND I THINK YOU'LL SPLIT ON THE NETS GAME BUT, I KNOW YOU'LL GET ON A HUGE HOT STREAK SOON, I'M NOT SAYING YOU ARE LOOSING I'M JUST USED TO SEEING YOU TEARING IT UP!!!

[XXX]

Lakers -5
Under 190

Lakers Moneyline




Lets keep it going

[GoldVike]

With you on this one all the way ***

I still maintain that the Suns taking the Spurs to 7 games shows how vulnerble that SA "CAN BE" on the road......I will ride it again with the depleted Lakers....series still goes to the Spurs though.....Free throw woes for SA and being on the road should also hold it under....Mavs now look "better" if Webber is done for the year as well.......good luck to you Trip *** and I will be cheering for my Wild in the playoffs big time against the Anaheim Aflacs! GoldV

[XXX]

Goldvike

Good luck to you as well...I STILL think people will regret not taking the Lakers for the series GETTING 2.2-1 down two games to zero....we'll see what happens, but I think it was great value...but, it should be an interesting playoffs now since the Kings lost Webber.





***Like Ive said easiest way to make money is bet against the Royals and ride the Reds when good value...but, looks like the oddsmakers will adjust to the Royals and will start making them bigger dogs and weaker favs...and the Reds wont be great value no more either, unless they slump again....oh, also in all seriousness without being a basher; but having opportunities GETTING points with a FAR SUPERIOR team like the Nets over the Celts is a gift...how can one not take the Nets getting points versus this silly Celtic team...I actually used to love the Celts UNTIL this silly style of basketball which is an insult to the great Celtic teams...maybe next year they will come back and realize this is the NBA and you need to get some interior playing...I thought theyd learn from last year, but for some reason they think they can win championships from shooting three's....they say you can live or die by the 3's, but in the end its ALWAYS DIE...almost impossible to win a NBA title with that style

[GoldVike]

excellent point TripleX

I went on the over tonight only because of the Celts lack of defense allowing NJ to drive the hole for free points and Boston's propensity for the three. The Celtics are truly a pitiful team which speaks volumns about the Pacers whom they dispatched with realtive ease......that is scary.....so you are correct.....take the Nets to the bank.......even (or especially) in game four! Thanks for the input.....always enjoy your insight! GoldV

[XXX]

2nd half


over 96

[JOE P]

Damn...wish I could have gotten that but they're almost 1/2 way through the 3rd...good luck!!!

[XXX]

Joe P

Sorry, but I try my best to get them as early as possible and post them...anyway, I hope you got all the other plays in...a great night at 8-2 and the Orioles coming in as dogs twice


As for my basis, as of late its been mostly to lines and treating baseball as a value versus no value market...I have said this since the Royals were 16-4, that they are the worst 16-4 team in history and I highly advise to bet against them...I have made a killing fading the Royals cause I started going against them once they started slumping....but, right now the Royals might be "oversold", so I might stay away now...sometimes the public comes in to late...people might start fading the Royals and might get burnt...we'll see...maybe the Reds are "over bought"...but, they might still have some more juice to win a few more before a let down

But, I really dont believe in fading in baseball..even for that matter in a lot of sport situations...im sure most have seen me bet so many favorites in baseball and in the NBA constantly betting the Lakers, etc...but, line reading is so important...take the Laker total for instance...the world, I mean the world was on the Over...I was on the Under...but, when the 2nd half line came out and I got the word that the projected total was 99.5-100 for that situation!!!! I knew the Under was fried...and anything Over 2nd half below 99 would have been a great value play plus a nice hedge if you had the under...good luck to you 2morrow...Hockey should be interesting...you gotta think Kings fan and supporters have to be seriously nervous

[JOE P]

VERY good night...congrats and keep it up...did play a few of yours, even the pathetic O's..Hopped on NJ and the under too...Schilling pitches his dick off tonight to jam your Az total play..thought there was a chance with 5 after 6...hopefully your totals will start hitting too..again, congrats on a great night and keep it going!!!