Here's hoping a sad end doesn't turn tragic

Basketball Betting Lines

03/05/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Age guarantees a lot of things.

It's almost a give-and-take process. A lot of physical attributes like speed, strength and reaction time slow at the same time one's knowledge and wisdom are expanding.

It's almost a cruel joke, one that Allen Iverson is going through right now.

What "Father Time" doesn't guarantee is maturity, a learned rather than instinctual behavior that is never determined by one's age.

Iverson was an immature 17-year-old teenager in 1993 when he was convicted for his part in a Hampton, Virginia bowling alley brawl that left him incarcerated for four months. The case became a bit of a cause-celebre after he was convicted as an adult of the felony charge of maiming by mob, a rarely used Virginia statute that was originally designed to combat lynching.

After Iverson spent four months at a correctional facility in Newport News, Va., he was granted clemency by then Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder, and the Virginia Court of Appeals eventually overturned the conviction in 1995 for insufficient evidence. By most accounts, Iverson was railroaded, likely because of the color of his skin.

Nearly 20 years later, Iverson might as well be that same teenager. People close to the mercurial guard have pointed to his ordeal in Virginia as the one that shaped adult years that have been dotted with the same signs of immaturity.

It didn't have to be like that. Unlike a lot of young African-Americans, Iverson got a second chance. In fact, calling his career a second chance is a bit of an understatement considering Iverson has been paid over $153 million dollars to play basketball over the last 15 years.

Evidently, you can't buy maturity.

In 1997, A.I. Was a 22-year-old when he was pinched on misdemeanor charges of marijuana and gun-possession, resulting in a plea bargain that carried three- years probation.

At 25, his immaturity resurfaced when he recorded a rap CD with lyrics that mocked homosexuals and embarrassed his employer.

In 2002, when Iverson was 27, he allegedly broke into a West Philadelphia apartment and threatened two men with a gun while looking for his estranged wife Tawanna, resulting in terroristic threats charges.

A year later a member of Cru-Thick, Iverson's posse, was shot in the leg in the Old City section of Philly and police believed Iverson may have also been targeted.

In 2005, Iverson was served with a civil lawsuit when two men claimed his bodyguard beat them in a Washington D.C. nightclub and one of the men was awarded over a quarter of a million dollars.

Last week, just months after reuniting with his old team, Iverson was sent home by the Philadelphia 76ers. The cover story this time was Iverson's 4- year-old daughter, Messiah, who is suffering from a still undisclosed illness,

In his last absence from the team before the release, Iverson was spotted at the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association tournament in Charlotte, N.C., reportedly for a fund-raising commitment that included partying with hip-hop star Jermaine Dupri, far away from his daughter in Atlanta.

The latest blow to A.I. came on Tuesday when Tawanna Iverson filed for divorce in Fulton County, Ga. Superior Court.

The newspaper also reported that several NBA sources have confirmed Iverson has been troubled by excessive drinking and has a number of outstanding civil lawsuits filed against him.

For once I'm not worried about Iverson's legendary selfishness, his stunning lack of maturity and a reputation as a coach-killer.

His personal life is starting to resemble a runaway train, and I'm hoping a sad end on the basketball floor doesn't turn into a tragic one off it.

Wwwclassiccasino Basketball Betting News

<< Broncos sign Hochstein, Lloyd
Englewood, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Denver Broncos agreed to terms on contracts with guard Russ Hochstein and wide receiver Brandon Lloyd. Terms of the deal were not disclosed by the club, but the Denver Post reports that both were

<< Hargreaves eyes United return
Manchester, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Injury-plagued Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves is poised to make his first appearance in almost 18 months. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed the England international is

<< Rodwell focused on staying at Everton
Liverpool, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell insists he is fully focused on life at Goodison Park despite continued speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United. The England Under-21 international i

<< Defoe likely to miss Fulham match
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Spurs could have to face Fulham in the FA Cup quarterfinal on Saturday without the services of top scorer Jermain Defoe. The striker damaged his hamstring playing for England on Wednesday night and Spur

<< Moyes hoping to keep Donovan
Liverpool, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Everton boss David Moyes has confirmed that he will be doing all he can to keep on-loan forward Landon Donovan at the club after the American's impressive start to his career in Merseyside. The USA in

Bosingwa to miss remainder of season >>
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chelsea full-back Jose Bosingwa will miss the climax to the domestic season and the World Cup through injury. Bosingwa has been told he requires further surgery on a knee injury which has already kept hi

France takes 2-0 Davis Cup lead against Germany >>
Toulon, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - France got singles wins from Gael Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Friday, as the host nation grabbed a commanding 2-0 lead against visiting Germany in a first-round Davis Cup World Group matchup. Monfi

Czechs lead host Belgians 2-0 in Davis Cup action >>
Bree, Belgium (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek overpowered a pair of Belgians on Friday, as the Czech Republic ran out to a 2-0 lead in a Davis Cup best-of-five first-round affair in Bree. Berdych blitzed Olivier Rochus

Celtic surprised over Brown appeal >>
Glasgow, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Celtic have spoken of their 'amazement' after they failed with an appeal to have Scott Brown's Old Firm red card rescinded. The 24-year-old midfielder was dismissed after clashing with Gers strike

Three-Year-Olds Regain Spotlight on Saturday >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With last week's cancellation of the Sham Stakes at Santa Anita, there will be two graded three-year-old prep races this Saturday as that event joins the Gotham Stakes over in New York. Eight of the 10 ear

Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards

Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.

Bet on NFL Football

Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.

Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.

Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.

Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.

All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.

A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.

2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1

Ron Brace (NE) 25/1

Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1

Darius Butler (NE) 40/1

Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1

Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1

Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1

Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1

Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1

Larry English (SD) 15/1

Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1

Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1

Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1

Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1

James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1

Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1

Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1

Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1

Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1

Roy Miller (TB) 20/1

Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1

Fili Moala (IND) 30/1

Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1

Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1

B J Raji (GB) 7/1

Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1

Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1

David Verkune (CLE) 20/1

Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 6/1

NFL football gambling

To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.