This is always fun. I know the odds really mean nothing, especially considering that some dude has a chance to win $10,000 on a $10 (1,000/1) bet if the Indianapolis Colts go 0-16, but I figured I'd at least run these buy you guys.
With so many factors still yet to be determined--like, will the Grizzlies definitely have Marc Gasol under contract come December 25--it's never easy to peg actual odds on winning the NBA title when we still don't have an open training camp. With that said, I think the 25/1 odds are pretty fair, assuming, of course, Gasol does get inked as we expect him to.
Considering we have the same odds as the San Antonio Spurs, who last season were the No. 1 seed in the West, I think we were given a fair representation. Take a look at the rest of the odds and my general thoughts, after the jump. Plus, help me figure out the Grizzlies-Blazers situation. It's making me feel like an idiot.
Odds to win 2012 NBA Championship
Miami Heat
9/4 Chicago Bulls
7/1 Dallas Mavericks
17/2 Boston Celtics
12/1 New York Knicks 20/1
Orlando Magic
22/1 Memphis Grizzlies 25/1
San Antonio Spurs 25/1
Portland Trailblazers 30/1
Atlanta Hawks
50/1 Los Angeles Clippers 50/1
Denver Nuggets
75/1 Houston Rockets 75/1
New Jersey Nets 75/1
Phoenix Suns
75/1 Utah Jazz
75/1 Indiana Pacers
100/1 Milwaukee Bucks 100/1
New Orleans Hornets 100/1
Philadelphia 76ers 100/1
Detroit Pistons
125/1 Golden State Warriors 125/1
Charlotte Bobcats 150/1
Cleveland Cavaliers 150/1
Minnesota Timberwolves 150/1
Sacramento Kings 150/1
Washington Wizards 150/1
Toronto Raptors
200/1
Seems pretty fair, I guess. Again, there are a lot of factors yet to be determined, but I think lumping the Grizzlies alongside the Spurs and Orlando Magic suits us pretty well. Though, having the Knicks ahead of us? Really?
Clearly, the Lakers, Thunder and Mavericks all deserve to be ahead of us. Beat the best to be the best, right? The Mavs, though, have a lot of moves to make before they are locked in and secure among the top 2-3 teams in the West. The Thunder we expect to be there, of course, and the Lakers you have to put there. But, we're not too far behind.
To be honest, it seems to be a fair assessment. I have no real beef. I mean, we did come one game away from making the Western Conference Finals last year, so we certainly deserve to be in the conversation. But we're also still considered a "Cinderella" team, which suits us well.
Speaking of winning the West...
Odds to win 2012 NBA Western Conference Championship
Los Angeles Lakers 2/1
Oklahoma City Thunder 13/4
Dallas Mavericks
4/1 Portland Trailblazers 10/1
San Antonio Spurs 10/1
Memphis Grizzlies 15/1
Los Angeles Clippers 20/1
Denver Nuggets
25/1 Houston Rockets 25/1
New Orleans Hornets 30/1
Phoenix Suns
30/1 Utah Jazz
35/1 Golden State Warriors 40/1
Minnesota Timberwolves 60/1
Sacramento Kings 60/1
So what you're saying is, we have a better shot than the Portland Trail Blazers at winning the NBA Championship and a just-as-good of a shot as the Spurs, but we have less of a shot at winning the Western Conference Finals. Right? I'm not all that smart, and I don't bet much on sports, but can someone please help me out here?
Again, I have no beef with us being behind the Thunder, Lakers and Mavericks, but I do think we should at least be at 10/1 odds here. Right? I'm just not sure what changes? Are they saying that we have a better chance of being the Heat (should we play them in the NBA Finals) than the Blazers, but we don't have as good of a chance at getting there?
Um. OK.
What do you guys think about the odds? Are you taking 25/1?
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