Celtics putting finishing touches on roster

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08/14/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - All-Stars Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce are not the only players on Boston's roster, and that trio will need some help if the Celtics hope to return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1987.

Guards Tony Allen, Rajon Rondo, forward Brian Scalabrine and center Kendrick Perkins were the significant players left on the roster after Boston's executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge pulled off the blockbuster deal with Minnesota for Garnett. Since trading Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff, cash considerations and two first-round draft picks to the Timberwolves on July 31st, Ainge has added veterans Scot Pollard and Eddie House through free agency.

The 32-year-old Pollard will be entering his 11th season in the league. Boston is his fifth different team, as Pollard has also played for Detroit, Sacramento, Indiana and Cleveland. Pollard is not expected to make an impact on the offensive end of the court, as his forte is rebounding and tough, physical defense.

House, 29, is being tabbed to provide an offensive spark off the bench for head coach Doc Rivers. The 6-1 House can play both guard spots, and will give Rivers some flexibility with his lineup. House, who averaged 8.4 points in 56 games last season for New Jersey, will be playing for his eighth different club during what will be his eighth season in the NBA.

With Pollard and House in the fold, Ainge still needs to find more help for his trio of All-Stars. Trades are unlikely. Help is going to have to come from the free agent pool.

There is not much left, but there are some veterans who would probably like to jump on the bandwagon for a run at an NBA title. Boston needs to find another big man to help on the boards. That is probably the one thing the Celtics are lacking. Scoring is not an issue.

Forwards Malik Allen, Melvin Ely and Marc Jackson are three names Ainge should be considering. None of these players are going to be the difference between winning a title and getting knocked out in the Eastern Conference finals, but they are all veterans who can bang down low and should be able to help Garnett, Perkins and Pollard on the glass.

The time to win is now in Beantown. The Celtics are not looking to get younger. Ainge wants to add role players who will help the fearsome threesome earn Boston its first NBA championship since it defeated the Houston Rockets in six games in the 1986 finals.

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

It seemed like the perfect fit. Veteran point guard Brevin Knight, who was waived by Charlotte during the offseason, was an unrestricted free agent and would have been a great mentor for Rondo in Boston.

Knight is now off the market. He inked a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, who must be worried about the recovery of Shaun Livingston's injured knee. The 5-10 Knight averaged 9.1 points, 6.6 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 45 games for the Bobcats in 2006-07.

The 21-year-old Rondo averaged 6.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 78 games during his rookie campaign. Rondo, who is expected to run the point for the Celtics, would have benefited from the experience and leadership of Knight.

THREE MORE YEARS

Pat Riley would like to coach the Miami Heat for three more seasons. Coincidentally, that is probably about what All-Star center Shaquille O'Neal's knees have left to give. The 35-year-old O'Neal played just 40 games in 2006-07 for the Heat, who were swept by Chicago in the first round of the playoffs.

Shaq and Dwyane Wade may still have another magical run left in them, but it will all ride on the health of O'Neal. Riley, who has earned five rings as a head coach, obviously thinks Wade, who led Miami in scoring, a franchise- record 27.4 points per game, assists (7.5 apg) and steals (2.1 spg), and his monstrous center can still compete with Boston, Detroit, Cleveland and Chicago.

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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.

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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

NFL football gambling

To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.