Nets name Billy King general manager

Basketball Betting Lines

07/14/2010 - East Rutherford, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Jersey Nets have named Billy King as their next general manager.

King takes the reins from Rod Thorn, who is stepping down as team president and general manager after 10 years on the job. It is also expected King will assume the title of president, a dual position new owner Mikhail Prokhorov wanted to keep intact.

"I am very pleased Billy King is coming on board as Nets general manager, said Prokhorov. "He has all of the qualities we've been looking for in a candidate: professionalism, good relations with the league, players and agents, and strong communications skills."

King previously spent 10 years with the Philadelphia 76ers, first as vice president of basketball administration starting in 1997 before a quick ascent to the general manager's position and then to team president from 2003-07.

King was fired by Sixers chairman Ed Snider in December of 2007 and replaced by Ed Stefanski, who was general manager of the Nets at the time.

"I am very excited about joining the Nets organization," said King. "I want to thank Mr. Prokhorov and his executive team for the opportunity to oversee a franchise that has such a vibrant owner, an outstanding coach in Avery Johnson, and possesses the combination of young talent, cap space and draft choices that will allow us to build a squad that will be able to contend for an NBA title."

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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot.  The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.

TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the  drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.

"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,'  it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."

"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.

Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.