Thanks for doing this Well. Hope you find your NBA job, though I guess what I really hope is that the economy booms the legal climate becomes more friendly Pinnacle and a dozen imitators and twenty exchanges all take $100,000 on NBA games and $25,000 on quarters at -104 so that it gets real hard to sit on the betting sidelines.

I'd like your view on this article as well, if you've read it. It's a Malcolm Gladwell New Yorker piece, if that encourages you to take a look.

I read it, it was interesting. I am interested in actual adults playing basketball. If the NBA ever loosens up the draft requirements regarding 12 year old girls, I'll take a closer look.

Thats the smart ass reply.

Rick Pitino tried something similar in the NBA trapping and FCPressing all game. Players in the NBA handle the ball too well for the press to be effective for an entire game. It didn't work for Pitino.

Are your UB screen names released?

Brilliant. I have a couple things to add to this "well", but I wont just yet. This comment though is great. I consider myself a reasonable basketball fan, and I know its futile to try and press. Pitinos strategry is great against pressured, not so good guards but in the NBA you're asking to get beat-badly

Also, with your corner three theory (which i like) would make Pitino seem genius..so its a catch 22

Edit:Pitino sucks

Your media room needs to be more degen to attract Simmons. Maybe you can plant some fat stacks scattered about for effect. :-)

I actually got a reply from Simmons on one of the generated emails. It just said "Thanks, I'll look into it." Don't know if it's a real reply or not, or how pre-screened the emails are by lackeys. The reply address is a @no-reply mailer daemon type one that could be automated.

I used the Subject Heading "NBA Gambling Legend you need on the podcast". Hope you don't mind the characterization. I really think the gambling is what will hook, so if others are going to write in, have that in the subject title.

For the well: How valuable are steals in evaluating a player? Though they lead to easy buckets, their low success rate and how it impacts the defense are never factored correctly, IMHO. Allen Iverson had good steal stats, but I always thought he gambled too much and got burned. Are they valued, or are they fool's gold?

this last paragraph is so typical. Why do you think you can properly evaulate a player based on steals? Watch the game!! Thats the only way you can come to a real conclusion on whether their gambles are worth it. These stats are dumb. If you see him chasing passes and getting burnt...ya its a bad idea...

By the way Haralobos, ****ing great thread. I would never take the time to do something like this. And you answered damn near every question!

Not that anyone would care about my no-name ass! Thanks for the insight

What is the best explanation for why some guys like JJ Reddick shined so hard in college and appear destined for mediocrity in the NBA? Is it size/longer 3 point line/some other factors?

Thoughts on Rasheed Wallace and whether the damage he does to teams by racking up T's can be compensated for by the energy he brings (or underrated skills)?

Which non-playoff team would have the best chance at a game in a series with the Cavs?

Who surprised you the most this season (player or team)?

Thanks for doing this well, great read

Its playing against much better athletes in the NBA vs NCAA. The NBA is comprised of the best players in the world, there are about as many players in the NBA as there are division I ncaa hoops teams.

Probably Houston Or Memphis, I don't think the cavs would be a favorite to sweep either of these teams.

The UB name I used the most was sugarqube I also had an account itsafire that I used later on.

Really great well so far. Appreciate you doing this Robert,

just kidding, Haralabos...

1. What odds would someone have to give you for you to bet half your net worth on the flip of a coin?

2. Alltime favorite basketball Books / Movies / Documentaries ?

3. If one day the US is a ruthless dictatorship and you are Fuhrer, who would you have commentating the NBA games?

I would Probably have Barkley, Larry David and You.... Any aspirations/thoughts of one day voluntarily being an NBA commentator ?

4. Is there a greater moment in NBA history than the time Manute Bol got the outlet in the back court and for no reason put it under his leg before passing it on? (see avatar)

If so what are they?

5. If the knicks signed Lebron, Wade, Bosh, Amare and You as the starting PG next season (minimum 35 minutes a game), what price do you give them of winning the title?

how many bets do you think is a good enough sample to determine if someone is a good sports bettor? at least as it pertains to NBA betting

Bob,

Any thoughts on your old place closing down a couple of weeks ago? It was still the best s/b software ever developed. I hope that wasn't the last we'll see of it.

I don't get the reference. Bob had a sportsbook?

a few NBA questions:

You are head of a new franchise and get to have '00 Shaq or this year's Lebron for 1-year in today's league. Who do you take?

How do you value FG% of players in relation to what part of the shot clock they shoot at? From watching the games I notice certain guys take a high % of their shots early in the clock, and others have to take lots of shots with clock winding down, as result of broken offensive set or w/e. How is that factored in to measuring a player's offensive efficiency?

How big was the gap between Duncan and Garnett in their primes (say..'01-'05ish)?

Who is the favorite in a 1v1 game, LeBron today vs prime MJ?

Thanks for the well. This has been one of my favorites that I've read on 2p2.

Curious as to your thoughts on the minimum required years to play in the NCAA before declaring for draft. Schools like Kentucky are basically starting from scratch next season with the number of 1 and done players, etc. Do you think these rules are good/bad for the NBA?

How big a force do you expect Blake Griffin to be when healthy next year?

Greg Oden, injury-plagued career without results, or will he right the ship and live up to the hype (to atleast some extent)?

Thnx again

awesome

1. Not sure good question. Probably 60% or so.
2. been answered.
3. I actually like JVG and Mike Breen.
4. Probably not.
5. 0% real tough to win 4 on 5 35 mins a game.

Define high percentage, I don't think its nearly as large a percentage in reality as you think it actually is. Its still a good question one thing you could do is treat these offensive possessions differently, but if you do that you should also do other things like account for guardedness on shots as well.


I'd take 00 Shaq for a few different reasons, one of which is the dearth of big man talent in the NBA right now.

The Gap was fairly small.

If both were fully motivated to win, it'd be close not sure.

I think its a bad rule for colleges and a silly rule for the NBA. They are probably better served having a full developmental system (improving the D League). Collegiate Basketball is a sham in my opinion.

He looked pretty good in summer league, its tough to discount the fact he is playing on the Clippers. I guess its just hard for me to believe they'll ever have a dominant player so I'll say less than dominant but pretty good.

Oden is still young but its tough for a big to develop if he is spending nearly all of his time rehabbing from injury.


As an aside I am heading to MC for the EPT and then doing some traveling throughout Europe (volcano permitting) so I likely won't be answering too many questions in the well.

It's been a lot of fun, good questions guys.

re 2. Did you answer your favorite Basketball books/movies/docos? didn't see if you did.
e.g. The Jordan Rules, The Fab Five... Hoop Dreams etc... oh and have you seen the new reggie miller doco 'winning time'... I thought it was really well done. Really liked that sebastion telfair one too 'through the fire'.

And yeah agreed JVG is super solid, almost hope he doesn't go back to coaching so we can keep him commentating - he also has a moment to rival manutes greatest nba moment of all time when he grabbed onto Zo's ankle and got dragged round the court.

Anyway Enough. Thanks for answering so many questions. Good luck in Monte Carlo. You better check OKC v Lakers Game 7 isn't the same day as the final table. Just in case.

Good stuff. Agree with your thoughts on most things. Lot of things in common. Have often wished I was in a front office instead of gambling for a living. Very difficult to break into though. NBA my best sport by miles traditionally, although I do everything. But this is best money making time of year. NBA playoffs are awesome. I do things much differently and I admire the fact you were cranking that kind of ROI on straight wagers if in fact you played all straight wagers.

That being said, I think you are drastically underestimating the Lakeshow. Saying things like they are 3rd or 4th best in the West and that Orlando is clearly better are not good assessments in my opinion. I think you are underestimating the length they have, although you are correct in the point guard defense being rotten.

Thanks for the interesting thread and best wishes in your pursuit of a dream job. And hopefully you can get me an interview after you get your job.

Thanks for doing this! It's definitely been a fun read.