2006 NBA All-Star Game Preview

The NBA All-Star game is just as popular as ever and the festivities are getting bigger and better this year in Houston. After all, the city is rocking as home town boys Tracy McGrady and Yao are both on the Eastern Conference starting lineup. This year’s All-Star stages some of the best talent this league has seen in a long time with familiar names such as Iverson, Garnett, Duncan, Shaq, Bryant and McGrady. However, there are some relative newcomers to the all-star scene including Wade, Nash, Yao and Lebron. The game has gotten more interesting over the years simply because the players are actually trying to win. The players I believe to watch out for the most this year, are the very three that are chasing the coveted scoring title – Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant and Lebron James. All three players although leading sub-par teams, individually are putting up record numbers with A.I. continuing to show his dominance year and in year out as the leader in the scoring title, Kobe with his 81 point performance and Lebron setting countless records becoming the youngest player to do nearly everything.

From a bettor’s perspective, the game offers countless props to the conventional side and total on the game. From the MVP of the game where odds are 500+ for Tracy McGrady to a 1000+ for past winners Iverson, Duncan and O’Neal. You could even wager on sharp shooter Ray Allen to win the 3pt. shoot out at +265 which could provide great value as Allen hasn’t had much of a winning season and could end the first half the season on a winning note. After all, why else is Seattle even in ball games considering that Allen gets double teamed and still drains as many points as he does. Two other props of intrigue are the skills competition where Steve Nash is at +109 and considering he might be the best ball handler and all around player of this league, as shown by last year’s MVP award, this could be a solid bet considering his skills handling the ball as well as his shooting prowess. Besides, he has his own ball handling video! Finally, young Josh Smith is at +151 for the Slam Dunk Contest. Having watched Smith and his dunks this season, this kid is incredibly talented and his transition from high school to the NBA hasn’t affected his game as he is still flying high. Sure Iguadala, Warrick and Robinson are talented, but Josh Smith and those teen legs could get the job done as he is the fan-favorite to win.

The opening line of this game has the West favored by -5 and the total set at an incredible pace to a total of 258.5 which ranges from sports book to sports book. The East are 5 point dogs to the West this year after having won the last three of four. I believe the value here is not on the spread as most All Star Game matchups in the previous 9/10 years have been decided by 10 points are more. I believe the value here might be on the underdog East on the moneyline which would pay nice. The better bet here I believe is on the total. Taking away the Double OT All Star game in 2003 in Atlanta, the previous 10 years have the total around at 245. This year, the total is set about 13 points higher. If we just continued prior history, this game should go under. Why is the line so high? Answers vary but it could be to the fact, that this game is in the West coast which traditionally leads to less scoring as well as the fact that this year’s league has so much talent, past scoring champions, league MVP’s and such a depth of young talent. I'll reiterate I'm not making any official picks but those are my thoughts to help you with your bets.

Either way, this year’s All-Star will be memorable even before the game starts as I believe it is the most star-studded NBA game that most can ever remember.