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In the NBA, usually there's one or two can't miss prospect-rookies who step in and dominate right off the bat. Those players are generally hyped up and predicted to be rookie of the year before they've even played their first regular season game.
Online sports betting sharps are aware that this year, there is a group of three players who are in that category and only a couple of others will challenge them for the Rookie of the Year Award.
Michael Beasley (+175) is the frontrunner as he's been touted to be NBA-ready for about a year and a half. It's easy to like the guy for the award when you figure the lack of talent that the Miami Heat have, which means he'll get plenty of playing time.
The Heat have a glut of forwards like Udonis Haslem and Shawn Marion, which could make for a bit of a mess, but since he's the second overall pick from this year's draft, expect him to be in the lineup often.
Online sports betting sharps better not forget that Greg Oden (+175) is still a rookie. He was expected to be the shoe-in for the award last year but an unexpected injury cost him the entire season. Oden figures to be a dominant big man, which always takes precedence over guard play in the NBA.
O.J. Mayo (+300) must be accounted for as well since he'll have plenty of playing time. The Memphis Grizzlies are an awful team and guards on bad teams with lots of playing time can rack up the statistics. See: Kevin Durant.
One sleeper for the award is Jerryd Bayless (+1200), who could be in line to be the starting point guard for one of the most improved teams in the NBA. If Portland turns out to be the sleeper team that online sports betting sharps think they will be, and Bayless is at the point running the show, he should be a prime candidate for Rookie of the Year. Realistically, though, his value is tied in with Oden's and if the Trail Blazers are doing well, Oden will take it home.
Bet on Oden to take it home. Some sportsbooks have forgotten about him and have lumped him into the field, which can offer some nice value in some places.
All betting odds are courtesy of BetOnline.com - now offering up to 105 percent in free bonus money when you join today.
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David Golokhov, Gambling911.com
