AC TITTICOCK'S WEEKLY FREE NBA BASKETBALL PICKS AND WINNERS

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2/26/05 Week 17 Free NBA Picks

AC's outlook on the NBA is an entertaining original column featured here at Wagercom. If you are prone to NBA betting or even just an NBA fan, make sure you come back often to read his articles and free NBA Basketball picks against the spread. AC will be providing us with a weekly outlook during the basketball season including free NBA Basketball picks on some of the weekend games each Friday and Saturday.

Our NBA expert AC wrapped up the 2003-2004 NBA betting season with a 51% winning percentage against the spread on his basketball picks after 190 games and has greatly improved that to a 55% winning percentage against the spread so far this season.

However, all of this joy was ruined at 2:45pm on Thursday when checking e-mail and being notified of the trade that made no sense, Antoine Walker back to the Celtics. In one quick moment, Danny Ainge took what little joy I had left in my Celtic team and ripped it up, threw it on the ground, took a dump on it, and sold it to Craig Ferguson for one of his monologue jokes (as an aside, there are ~280MM people in the US and somehow they picked this Craig Ferguson guy to host a late night talk show? Are you kidding me? This reeks of conspiracy more than Ray Romano having a top rated show or Nipsy Russell never winning an Oscar. Seriously, Craig Ferguson is about as funny as lint, and not ordinary lint, but Canadian lint, and I have no idea what that means).

Danny, oh Danny, why did you do this to me? Why oh why did you bring Antoine back? The player who defines everything wrong with today’s NBA game on the court. It’s like the Sox trading for Nomar or the Pats taking Bledsoe back. It never should have happened. Please tell me this is a bad dream and I am going to wake up and find myself in between two hot lesbians (and by “two hot” I mean “any two”).

Anyway, while I am utterly depressed about this trade and having to watch not only Antoine again but Marcus Banks at the point, I will give a quick synopsis of all the deadline moves.

Chris Webber, Matt Barnes, and Michael Bradley from Sacramento to Philadelphia for Kenny Thomas, Corliss Williamson, Brian Skinner, and a bunch of other 6 foot 9 stiffs:

Uhh, Philadelphia clearly wins in this trade. In fact, this may be one of the most one-sided trades I have ever seen. Plus it forced Danny Ainge’s hand to go after Antoine. While Webber has no heart, playing with Iverson who will take the big shot is huge. If the Sixers didn’t have O’Braindead as coach they would surely be a title contender. Billy King has done a nice job here. As for the Kings, I guess they got some depth. Maybe next year Petrie can trade for some breadth as well (drum shot please).

Jamal Mashburn and Rodney Rogers from New Orleans to Philadelphia for Glenn Robinson and an injury to be named later:

The deal was made so Rodney can try to eat his way out of another city. 12 seasons, 7 teams, and a whole lot of cheesesteaks to be consumed. Bye bye Big Dog, we hardly knew thee.

Baron Davis from New Orleans to Golden State for Dale Davis (no relation), Speedy Claxton, and cash:

I think Chris Mullin actually made a great trade but it is Chris Mullin so I am sure there is something else going on. If Baron is healthy, he can ball and he should be happy on the West Coast. I can’t believe he could be had for as little as Dale Davis and Speedy Claxton. This could be one of those franchise turning deals if Baron can get healthy. A gamble worth taking.

Gary Payton, Tom Gugliotta, Michael Stewart and a first-round draft pick from Boston to Atlanta for Antoine Walker:

I think I just threw up on my socks. Rumor is Atlanta is just going to release Payton and he may wind up re-signing with the Celtics. So a #1 pick for Antoine. On paper, it makes the Celtics a much better team, however, the game is not played on paper. Watching Antoine play basketball is more of an eyesore than those stupid gates in Central Park, ugh. All you have to know about this trade is Stephen A Smith loves it and Bob Ryan hates it (Ryan’s article is worth a read http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2005/02/25/ainge_may_not_be_able_to_wiggle_out_of_this?pg=full). The Hawks got a first round pick out of this so they are happy, Danny is happy because apparently he is paid on a per transaction basis, and Wyc (the Celtics owner) is happy because I am guessing Antoine had compromising pictures of Wyc and a young adolescent boy which he will now tear up (that has to be the reason for this, right?).

Keith Van Horn from Milwaukee to Dallas for Calvin Booth, Alan Henderson, and Cash:

Strangely enough I actually like this trade for the Mavericks. Van Horn is what he is, a decent scorer who can grab some rebounds, and occasionally pass the ball. He will help the Mavs team by coming off of the bench and taking some of the pressure off of Dirk. Good move as the Mavs gave up some crappy role players who don’t make any difference. The Bucks save money which will allow them to sign Michael Redd in the offseason which I guess is good if one were to believe Michael Redd is good enough to lead a team to a title (and I am not one of those people).

Mike James and Zendon Hamilton from Milwaukee to Houston for Reese Gaines, and 2 second round picks:

More cost cutting by the Bucks so they can sign Redd. Two interesting facts: This is Reese Gaines’ 3rd team in two years, which can’t be good, and Mike James is making $7MM a year. Let me repeat that, Mike James is making $7MM a year and yes I just stabbed myself in the eye.

Moochie Norris, Vin Baker, a case of Bud Light, and second round pick from New York to Houston for Maurice Taylor:

The greatest thing about Danny Ainge is that he is not Isiah Thomas. Isiah, in his quest to have the highest paid and worst team in NBA history, added another giant contract and marginal player in Maurice Mo Taylor. Maybe somebody should tell Isiah about the salary cap, nah, it’s too much fun to watch him blow up the team.

Nazr Mohammed and Jamison Brewer from New York to San Antonio for Malik Rose, Malik Rose’s $32MM contract, two first round draft picks, and cash:

Great trade for the Spurs. I am a huge Nazr Mohammed fan and he will be an excellent back-up to Duncan and bring some toughness to the Spurs. Add in the fact that they dumped Malik Rose’s ridiculous contract for a measly 2 late first round picks and you have a steal. I really wish I could make a trade with Isiah. That would make a great reality tv show, Who Can’t Beat Isiah in a Trade? The show will feature the mentally challenged, Alzheimer sufferers, and Norwegians, all trading NBA players with Isiah to see who can steal the most from him. What a moron.

Jiri Welsch from Boston to Cleveland for a first round pick:

This trade helps all. Jiri didn’t fit the Celtics plans now that they have Tony Allen, the Cavs get a guy who can play the game, and Danny Ainge gets some more $$ in his pocket since we have already determined he gets paid per transaction. Have I mentioned they reacquired Antoine Walker? ugh.

Eduardo Najera, Luis Flores, the rights to a Taco Bell franchise, and a number one pick from Golden State to Denver for Nikoloz Tskitishvilli and Rodney White:

Najera’s toughness will help the Nuggets and I’ve always been interested to see what kind of numbers White can put up if given time. That said, have you ever tried spelling Tskitishvilli? Worst 3 minutes of my life.

Malik Allen and cash from Miami to Charlotte for Steve Smith and some extra knee ligaments:

With Smith and Mourning back on the Heat, can Rony Seikaly’s return be far behind? Sherman Douglas anyone?]

On to Friday's Free NBA Picks:

It’s been a couple of weeks, so time to get you all paid.

Minnesota at Seattle over 190:

Seattle is going to make the Wolves run for once.

Charlotte at New Jersey -8.5:

The Bobcats have done a great job covering spreads but not tonight.

Cleveland at Indiana over 185:

LeDong likes to score and with Tinsley healthy, the Pacers have someone to run their offense.

Denver at Memphis -4.5:

Don’t ask.

Saturday's Free NBA Picks

While I was dismayed at the Nets blowing a 13 point lead with 2 minutes to go, the Grizzlies blowing it after being up 3 with 2 free throws to shoot and17 seconds to go, and the Sonics and Wolves not scoring enough, this picture cheered me up

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/050225/ids_photos_en/r2723114035.jpg&e=10

Who knew Ebert was married to Larry “Grandmama” Johnson?

Indiana +2 at New York:

Something is fishy about this line as there is no way the Knicks should favored. I am making this pick assuming Tinsley is the only one injured on the Pacers but check the game reports to make sure.

Memphis +13 at San Antonio:

I know Memphis played last night and San Antonio was at home counting their Nazr Mohammeds, but 13 is a lot to give a team that has played well recently. Take the Grizzlies and hope they can slow the game down.

Chicago at Charlotte Under 190.5:

This game bothers me as the Bulls could come out very flat and I just switched it from Over to Under in the middle of this sentence. Yikes.

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