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06/21/2010 -
LOS ANGELES (AP) -Thousands of fans cheered the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers during a victory parade Monday that players promised to repeat next year with a third consecutive title.
Police reported a largely well-behaved crowd. Nine people were arrested for various minor offenses and two children were reported missing, police said. Authorities did not provide a crowd estimate.
Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher, Andrew Bynum and Ron Artest waved to the throngs from a flatbed 18-wheeler as fans yelled and snapped pictures. Many people along the two-mile route waited hours for a glimpse of their heroes as they rolled past in a convoy that also included double-decker buses and fire engines.
``We saw them for three minutes, but it was worth every minute,'' said Trisha Siqueiros, 29, who drove two hours from Indio with her father, Ron Nieto, 51, for the parade. ``The only thing is they should have driven a little slower.''
The hour-long parade capped a season that ended with an 83-79 Game 7 victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday and a 16th NBA title for the Lakers.
Team members vowed to play hard for a 17th championship next season.
``When next season starts, we'll be ready, that's for sure,'' Bryant told reporters. He added that of his five titles, ``this is the best one by far because it was the hardest one to get.''
Artest, who donned a top hat with purple and gold feathers and sported an unlit cigar during the ride, also said the team plans to buckle down. ``We have to party for another week, then start putting in the work and write history again next year,'' he said.
The parade, which took the Lakers from Staples Center downtown to the Galen Center at the University of Southern California, started with the purple-spangled-clad Laker Girls, who received choruses of wolf-whistles.
The tribute also included past Lakers greats Earvin ``Magic'' Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The crowd screamed ``Ma-gic! Ma-gic!'' when they spotted the player-turned businessman.
Missing from the parade was coach Phil Jackson, who had to attend previously scheduled medical checkups, said team spokesman John Black. Jackson has said his health will determine whether he will return as coach.
``This is the highest priority for him and for us in determining whether he's going to come back and coach for us again next year,'' Black said.
Artest said he wished Jackson could have been there. ``He's my favorite coach of all time,'' Artest said. ``I enjoyed it for him.''
Diehard fans wore all manner of Lakers attire and colors, from sneakers to purses to Mexican-style ponchos. Some waved huge flags and held up signs, like a foam tombstone reading ``RIP Boston'' and ``Back to back without Shaq.''
Many fans took a day off work to pay tribute to their team.
Window washer Jimmy Baskom, 58, said he forewent the day's pay to drive in from Palmdale because he wanted to see his longtime basketball heroes up close after watching every game this season on TV.
``I've been a die-hard fan all my life and I watch every game but this is my first opportunity to see them in person,'' he said.
Electrician Orie Stewart of Los Angeles said he took a day off to bring his 14-year-old granddaughter to the event. ``We've been longtime fans,'' he said. ``I'm raising my grandchildren to be Lakers fans.''
The police presence was heavy around the parade route with helicopters overhead and officers on foot, horseback, motorcycle and in cars to deter would-be vandals. After last Thursday's game, people started fires, rocked cars, smashed windows and threw objects at fans and officers. At least 42 people were arrested.
The Los Angeles city attorney's office said Monday that 10 people will be prosecuted on misdemeanor charges including inciting a riot, unlawful assembly after being told to disperse, throwing flammable objects and assault.
In one case, a man was accused of setting fire to a Celtics jersey, said senior assistant city attorney Chuck Goldenberg. Another man was arrested for throwing a bicycle at a police officer and other charges resulted from people throwing rocks at police and other offenses.
Cabbie Abraham Teferi, whose taxi was attacked and burned by the mob, was given a $10,000 check by Staples Center owner AEG.
AEG president and CEO Tim Leiweke said the taxi was covered by the cab company's insurance so AEG decided to cover the personal expenses of Teferi, 41, an Ethiopian immigrant who has been in the United States for nine years.
``This isn't about a car, this is about a life,'' Leiweke said.
Fans left no doubt they were looking for a third title next year. ``I'm just as excited this year because it's the second time in a row,'' said Teresa Howe, 42, of Simi Valley. ``I'm looking forward to a three-peat. And I'll be here next year.''
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Associated Press Writers Christina Hoag and Thomas Watkins contributed to this report.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
<< Nationals send P Lannan to minors
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Washington Nationals have optioned
opening-day starter John Lannan to Double-A Harrisburg.
The left-hander was 2-5 with a 5.76 earned run average in 14 starts this
season.
In a correspond
<< Jeff Gordon became driver enemy number one at Sonoma
Sonoma, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jeff Gordon is a four-time NASCAR Cup champion
and a five-time race winner at Infineon Raceway, but at the conclusion of
Sunday's race at the Northern California road course, Gordon was a marked man
in the garage.
<< Coyotes re-sign LW Pyatt
Glendale, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Coyotes re-signed left wing Taylor
Pyatt to a two-year contract on Monday.
The 28-year-old Pyatt had 12 goals and 23 points with a career-high plus-13
rating in 74 games last season, his first w
<< Blue Jays designate 3B Encarnacion for assignment
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Blue Jays have designated third
baseman Edwin Encarnacion for assignment.
Encarnacion, 27, was batting .200 with nine home runs and 22 RBI in 37 games
this season. He was sidelined from Apri
Nuggets make offer to forward Kleiza >>
DENVER (AP) -The Denver Nuggets have made a qualifying offer to restricted free agent Linas Kleiza, who spent the past season in Greece.Nuggets officials didn't release the terms of the offer Monday.The 6-foot-8, 245-pounds Kleiza averaged 8.3 point
Nuggets make qualifying offer to Kleiza >>
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Denver Nuggets have extended a qualifying
offer to restricted free agent forward Linas Kleiza. Terms of the offer were
not disclosed.
Kleiza spent this past season playing in Greece, but prior to that
Wild acquire RW Staubitz from Sharks >>
St. Paul, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Minnesota Wild added depth to the
forward position on Monday by acquiring right wing Brad Staubitz from the San
Jose Sharks for a 2010 fifth round draft pick.
"Brad is a tough, physical player
FSU eliminates Gators from CWS; Clemson handles Arizona State >>
Omaha, NE (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mike McGee hit a three-run homer, knocked in four
and earned the save, as Florida State eliminated Florida from the College
World Series with an 8-5 victory at Rosenblatt Stadium.
Tyler Holt chipped in wi
The San Francisco 49ers (5-11 SU, 5-10-1 ATS in 2007; 1-1 SU & ATS in pre-season) found some offensive life last week, and they will try to build some momentum on Thursday night as they travel to the Windy City to take on the Chicago Bears (7-9 SU & ATS in 2007; 0-2 SU, 0-1-1 ATS in pre-season) in an NFL matchup that is set to get underway at 8 PM ET at Soldier Field (natural turf) in Chicago.
Thursday, August 21
NFL betting odds: CHICAGO -3 (-120), Total 37
NOTABLE STAT: San Francisco was last in points, last in total offense in 2007
KEY NFL BETTING TREND: SF has lost its last seven SU on pre-season road
In the BetUS NFL pre-season football betting odds, the Bears are listed as a three-point favorite (laying -120), with the total posted at 37 points.
Here are some NFL football betting trends as they relate to this matchup (reflecting numbers going into the 2008 season):
* SF has lost 11 of its last 14 games SU
* SF has covered three of its last 11 games
* SF has lost six of its last seven road games SU
* SF has covered one of its last seven road games
* CHI has covered five of its last eight games
* CHI has played five of its last seven games OVER the total
* CHI has covered four of its last 13 home games
* SF has lost its last seven pre-season road games SU
* CHI has covered two of its last seven home pre-season games
Well, I guess we should congratulate the Bears on making their quarterback choice for the season's opening game, as they have designated Kyle Orton the starter against Indianapolis. The Bears obviously have lost patience with Rex Grossman, and what they do with him at this point is anybody's guess. But suffice it to say that there isn't a quarterback competition anymore, at least in training camp.
Meanwhile, the quarterback competition may also be settled in San Francisco, where the Niners bounced back from a lackluster 18-6 loss to the Raiders, in which they turned the ball over four times, to execute a 34-6 rout of the Packers last Saturday. However, coach Mike Nolan has stopped short of saying that, insisting that the job is still open. But J.T. O'Sullivan, the longshot of the trio of Niner signal-callers who opened camp, will start his third straight pre-season game here. Against Green Bay, O'Sullivan was only 8-for-17, and was intercepted, but he also threw for 9.1 yards an attempt, which included a 59-yard TD pass to Josh Morgan. The others struggled.
Some offensive cohesion is badly needed, in light of the Niners' dismal 2007 campaign, in which they were dead last in the NFL in scoring, with just 13.7 points a game. And O'Sullivan is the guy who is most familiar with offensive coordinator Mike Martz's exacting system, because he learned it last year in Detroit. O'Sullivan will go at least the entire first half and may even last longer. He'll be relieved by Alex Smith, with Shawn Hill doing the mop-up work. Three receivers who were out last week - Bryant Johnson, Ashley Lelie and Arnaz Battle - will miss this game too.
That may hurt a little here, especially since the Bears will be using a lot of their defensive starters. And it's the defense that has been keeping the Bears in games thus far. In fact, the defense and special teams were responsible for the first 19 points Chicago scored against Seattle last time out, as the offense really struggled with Grossman at the controls. But maybe the first-team offense has a chance to settle a little bit as it works more with Orton at the helm.
Certainly we have concerns about the Bears' offensive line, but we like the scenario for them here, especially if O'Sullivan doesn't make some bis plays. The Niners may have nowhere else to turn right now, and they have lost seven straight road games in the pre-season. Let's take Chicago, the three-point favorite in the NFL football betting odds.
CHICAGO -3 (-120) **
(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)
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American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout
An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.
Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off. Randy was not impressed though. Paula thought he started off fantastic. "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either.
Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed. Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact. He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition.
Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula. Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.
Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next. Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential. Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell. He sang "Careless Whisper".
22 year old Chris Richardson was up next. He was listed with +1100 odds coming in. He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great.
Nick was boring and pitchy. Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week. Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition.
Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds . These of course were the early odds. He was considered original for picking an "odd song". He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night.
Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good.
Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds. Great voice and a great sense of humor. He's a real standout. Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit. Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig".
Jared Cotter followed. He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition. The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good.
22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next. "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon. Though the judges felt he performed okay. Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.
Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition. He was the last to perform. He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start.
Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys. Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
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