Tiger Woods Embody Greatness and Expectations

In sport and in every aspect of life, there are those great people who are so good in what they do that they revolutionize the ways things are done. In every sport, there always seems to be one person who is so good that he or she is able to raise the standards on how fellow athletes perform.

In basketball, Michael Jordan forever changed the expectations and actual role of a shooting guard. In golf, you have Tiger Woods who despite the current slump regarding the majors has come to show what dominating a sport is all about. These two also share something the same in that each made the sport that they are in more interesting for those who weren't fans to begin with.

However,  there's an added burden for those who are said to have raised the standards. And that they have to try every day to be great at what they are doing. If they aren't fantastic, they aren't good enough. Jordan who retired after winning three consecutive championships didn't have to go through this. Tiger Woods on the other hand is certainly under this situation right now.

He spoiled everybody early on. In 1997, a year after debuting in the PGA, he won the Masters. In 1999, he won the PGA Championship. In 2000, he won three majors. You know probably know the rest of the impressive story. However, he hasn't won a major since his last one in 2008. All those things is what set the stage for now.

Despite reclaiming the number 1 rank and winning 5 tournaments this year, many are still somewhat disappointed with his performance. If you check out golf online betting or online sports betting Australia, you'll see discussions and articles that make it sound like he is having a pretty bad year.

La Liga: Barcelona Wins Over Malaga

One of the favorites in soccer online betting to win the league title, Barcelona is opening the season hobbled in injuries. It was reported this week in sports betting Australia that Lionel Messi is out for the game due to a thigh injury, so as Isaac Cuenca who is having his own knee issue. These absences were a major concern prior to the match against Malaga.

Barca is definitely the better team compared to the rebuilding Malaga even without Messi. However, it is also true that Messi plays a pivotal role to the personnel-dependent type of pressure offense that Barca plays.

His absence in the game was felt throughout the game. Without Messi, the club played more conservatively, opting to play safe and keeping the ball instead of forcing the issue against Malaga. Still, the club was able to come out with a win on Sunday thanks to a goal by Adriano in the 44th minute of the game. After the goal, the team still had several good chances to score, but they weren't able to convert from those opportunities.

Malaga had its own injury problems. Weligton was out of the game due to a fractured collar bone and Flavio Ferreira is still suffering a back problem. It has been a tough start for Malaga as they are now 0-2. They lost against Valencia on their opening match.

Barcelona have announced that Messi only suffered a contusion on his thigh, however, the team is definitely playing safe regarding the health of their best player.

Are the Rockets the Best Western Conference Team in 2013-14?

If there was a winner for the offseason in the NBA, the award will likely go to the Houston Rockets. They signed Dwight Howard, the biggest free agent of the summer, and they still have the tools and pieces they can use to improve until the trade deadline next year. That makes them a pretty dangerous team once the playoffs come. So, are they going to be the best team in the west next season?

I don't think so. And there are just some of the several reasons for that. 

The reality of the challenge

For a team that were already discounted even before the season started, you can say that the Rockets had a fairly successful run in 2012-13. They won games behind James Harden's impressive performances and they were able to reach the playoffs as the eight seed. It's reasonable to expect that the addition of should bolster their position for next year.

So, do you think Howard will be able to take them 7 steps higher for the number spot?

Dwight isn't going to solve everything

One of the main problems of the team last season were turnovers. Those turnovers led to opponents scoring in transition. And as good as a defensive player Howard might be, he will be useless when the opposing team is running fast breaks and transition offense against them.

Adjustments

The team will also have to make certain adjustments. Unlike Omer Asik who was fine with receiving leftovers, Howard wants the offense to pass through him. That is why the team will need to figure out how to balance the possessions between Howard, Harden and even Jeremy Lin who needs to have the ball to be effective.

Anyway, if you're looking for a website for online sports betting, I suggest you visit this one site that offers free sports bet and all the information you'll need like the upcoming matches or tomorrow's races.

My NBA Teams to Watch for 2013-14

With the NBA season  only a little over 2 months away from starting, it's time for those who bet on sports to start planning the teams to follow and the games to watch. The NBA regular season alone will have 1230 games. You know you're going to need some extra effort in choosing the games to watch.

I, obviously, can't say what games you should watch since everyone has their own preferences in terms of entertainment. However, I do have certain teams in mind that I know I'm going to give a close look. Here are the five team's that automatically comes to my mind. These teams are pegged by a website for betting on sports as contenders for the title next season.

Houston Rockets

Toyota Center will be packed next season.

Hate him or love him, Dwight Howard is definitely bringing in plenty of attention to his new team. People will be watching how his decision to leave the LA will turn out. I, on the other hand, can't wait to see how he pairs up with talented players who are just reaching their prime. 

Indiana Pacers

The Pacers will be ready to clash with the eastern conference titans
Source: Zach Primozic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

The media might try to ignore the team yet again next regular season. However, the recent improvements they made in the roster this summer might produce too loud of a noise to ignore once they step on the court.

Brooklyn Nets

The season is going to be either white or black.

The team has acquired some prominent players. The downside is that these same players are old. Then there's the new coach with a zero coaching experience in the NBA. If this was a story, there would be too many loopholes that the team will need to patch up. I could get pretty or it could get ugly. Either way the story goes, it sure is going to be interesting.

NBA Transactions for August 14, Golf News

There wasn't a single transaction to start the week. There were, however, several reports about potential low-key free agent signings. On Wednesday, there were two signings announced and one agreement that was reported to have been completed. Here are some details on the transactions from online sports betting Australia.

Wizards sign Al Harrington

Al Harrington and the Orlando Magic parted just last week. Al has voiced his intention to play for a team that wants to win. The Magic who are on the rebuilding phase are certainly not that type of team right now. So both sides reached an amiable decision. The Magic waived the veteran forward.

Al Harrington during his stint with the Denver Nuggets in 2011
Source:Keith Allison (CC BY-SA 2.0)

After clearing the waivers, Al Harrington was wooed and eventually signed by the Washington Wizards for a minimum deal. Al can be a solid addition to the power forward position. It's a gain for the team. However, for a player who said he wanted to play for a winning team, does this mean that the Wizards are actually going to try and win next season?

Elias Harris agreed to a deal with Lakers

Although details have not yet been released, it is said that the Los Angeles Lakers have agreed with 6'8" forward Elias Harris for a two-year contract. I'll be posting more information on the undrafted player later on.

Golf Updates: Woods to play in The Barclays

Here's something for fans of golf online betting. According the Tiger Wood's website, he has committed to play in The Barclays. You can check out the link to know when you can start placing a bet.

The Search is Over: 76ers Hire Coach

With the Bundesliga just having started, soccer online betting is back on the top of sports betting Australia. It doesn't mean, however, that the exciting news are exclusive to the sport of soccer. The NBA have some worthwhile news of its own.

Kevin Burkett / CC-BY-SA-3.0

It's been a strange off-season for the Philadelphia 76ers. The team has made plenty of mind-boggling moves that somehow, points to the direction that the team is going. What direction you ask? Well, the general consensus is towards the bottom of the league. Yes, no one will say it out right but everything that has been going on for the last two months clearly indicates the team tanking the season.

The trading away of Jrue Holiday for the injured rookie Nerlens Noel was one of the more obvious evidence as to what the team, under new GM Sam Hinkie is trying to do. Also, the fact that it took them until now to find a coach pretty much seals the deal.

So who got the job?

Brett Brown. So who is this guy? Brown has worked for the Spurs since 2002 as a director of player development. In 2006 and until a few days ago, he was an assistant coach under Popovich.

Expectations

People expect a lot from coaches and officials that worked for or with Pop in San Antonio. However, just because the team now has a head coach that worked under the one of the most successful organizations in the NBA doesn't mean the team is going to suddenly change their direction.

Brown was tentative to accept the job at first as people who are close to him advised him against it due to the fact that the team is expected to have a 60-loss season.  However, the 4-year guaranteed contract that shows how the team is dedicated in making him a part of the development process was so hard to pass up.

Still, part of the development process will be drafting key players which can be better achieved by having a losing season.