Hornets, Bower part ways

Basketball Betting Lines

07/13/2010 - New Orleans, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Orleans Hornets announced Tuesday that the club and general manager Jeff Bower have mutually agreed to part ways, effective immediately.

"We feel it is in the best interest for us and Jeff to part ways at this time," said Hornets president Hugh Weber. "Our search for a new general manager is already underway. We will target basketball minds that are highly respected in the basketball circles and someone that will help in our pursuit of building a championship team."

Bower was named head coach of the Hornets this past season on November 12 after the organization fired Byron Scott. He guided New Orleans to a Southwest Division-worst 37-45 record in 2009-2010.

Following the season, Bower resigned to concentrate on his front office duties. Monty Williams was named the new head coach last month.

In 14-plus seasons with the club, Bower held various scouting, coaching, and general manager positions. He was GM from 2001-2003 and was re-appointed general manager at the start of the 2005-06 season.

"I want to thank Jeff for all his service for our organization," said Hornets owner George Shinn. "Gary Chouest and I have the necessary resources and will continue to do what it takes this summer to make our team better. Under the new leadership of Monty Williams, our team president Hugh Weber and our new general manager we feel very positive about our future as an organization."

Casiononnet Basketball Betting News

<< Wizards sign C Armstrong
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Washington Wizards on Tuesday signed center Hilton Armstrong. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced. The 6-foot-11, 235-pounder has averaged 3.4 points and 2.6 rebounds

<< Mavs sign Dominique Jones
Dallas, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Dallas Mavericks signed Dominique Jones on Tuesday. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound guard was originally drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 25th over

<< Chicago's Masar named WPS Player of Week
Bridgeview, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chicago Red Stars forward Ella Masar was named Women's Professional Soccer's Player of the Week for Week 13 on Tuesday after scoring a pair of goals. Masar scored the equalizer in a 1-1 tie against the

<< Stoke City signs veteran goalie Nash
Stoke-on-Trent, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Veteran goalkeeper Carlo Nash has agreed a one-year deal to join Stoke City. Nash, 36, has joined up the Potters at their pre-season training camp in Austria after being released by Everton.

<< Bulls officially add Korver
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Bulls announced Tuesday they have signed sharpshooter Kyle Korver. Terms of the contract were not disclosed, but several days ago the Chicago Tribune reported it was a three-year, $15 million

Pittsburgh gets 2013 Frozen Four, Philly in 2014 >>
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pittsburgh will host the 2013 men's ice hockey Frozen Four, and the 2014 event will be held in Philadelphia. The Consol Energy Center will be the site of the 2013 Frozen Four, and the following year

Current Yankees remember Steinbrenner >>
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Yankees manager Joe Girardi spoke about a time in spring training when he and his wife were walking their dog, a white bichon, on the manicured grass when he encountered owner George Steinbrenner. He ex

Southern Nevada's Bryce Harper wins Golden Spikes Award >>
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Southern Nevada slugger Bryce Harper, the top overall pick in the 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, has won the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award, presented to the top amateur basebal

Griffin ahead at Publinx in second stroke-play round >>
Greensboro, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - John-Tyler Griffin of Georgia Tech holds a one-shot lead after playing two rounds of the U.S. Amateur Public Links. Griffin, who is from Wilson, North Carolina, about two hours west of Greensboro

Rahal reunites with Newman/Haas Racing >>
Lincolnshire, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Newman/Haas Racing announced Tuesday that Graham Rahal will rejoin the team and pilot the No. 02 Dallara/Honda/Firestone entry for six of the remaining series races. Five of those races will see Rahal s

Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot.  The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.

TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the  drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.

"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,'  it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."

"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.

Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.