NBA Will Have New Finals Series Format

With golf online betting having it's downtime as the year ends, let us talk about one of the most popular sports league from online sports betting Australia. Here's the article from NBA.com detailing the changes made to the NBA Finals series format for next year and beyond. I've grabbed the important tidbits from the report and posted it here. 

Beginning with the 2014 finals, the higher-seeded team will host Games 1, 2, 5 and 7. The lower seed gets Games 3, 4 and 6, following the same format the NBA uses in all other rounds.

The NBA for the previous 29 years has used what's referred to as the 2-3-2 format, in which the higher seed hosts the first two games, then goes on the road for three straight.

The 2-3-2 format was instituted in 1985 in part to ease the amount of cross-country travel with the Celtics and Lakers frequently meeting for the championship. But some felt it also worked against the team that should have the advantage.

The unanimous vote to approve the 2-2-1-1-1 format came Wednesday during Stern's final preseason meeting with his board of governors. Owners also voted to add an extra day between Games 6 and 7.

The league's competition committee had recommended the change last month back to 2-2-1-1-1, which was used in all but one finals from 1957 to 1984.

Stern has often said he was acting on advice about the travel from former Celtics boss Red Auerbach when the finals format was switched. But with commercial flights long since replaced by charters, teams didn't have the same difficulties now with the number of trips.

Stern has often said he was acting on advice - or complaints - about the travel from former Celtics boss Red Auerbach when the finals format was switched. But with commercial flights long since replaced by charters, teams didn't have the same difficulties now with the number of trips.

Silver, who will become commissioner after Stern retires Feb. 1, is a proponent of the 2-2-1-1-1 format, though he said Stern and other league executives all thought it was time for the change.

Tiger is PGA Player of the Year

After winning five tourneys this year, the PGA has given Tiger Woods the Player of the Year award. This is the 11th time that the current world's number one golfer has won the award which is determined by the votes of other fellow PGA golfers. Two other golfers who have been discussed as contenders for the award were Adam Scott and Phil Mickelson, both having won a major title this year.

Although many golfing fans might point out another major-less campaign, it's a great end for a successful year for Tiger. As mentioned, he was able to take the top seed of the world ranking. He also pocketed the most money  from tournaments this year. Here is what this year's Player of the Year had to say as he received the award:

It's just been a fantastic year all around. It's also an incredible feeling to be voted by your peers, and to have the that type of respect is very humbling.

I've had to work my way back from injuries on numerous occasions throughout the years. These last couple years is no exception to that. There were a lot of people saying I could never win again, and two years later I've got eight wins on our TOUR. I'm very proud of where I've come from, from being ranked outside the top 50 to being ranked where I am now, and to have had the success that I've had this year makes it all the more rewarding.

More golfing news and activities

If you're searching for the latest news from the sport or if you want to participate in golf online betting, you can do so by joining of the best website for online sports betting in Australia.

Image from PGAtour.com

The Minnesota Timberwolves in 2013-14

Now that the 2013-14 NBA season is just a few months away and most teams having done their offseason chores of signing, resigning and trading for players, it is easier to look at a team, evaluate the roster and predict how well they will be doing next season. Trades and other transactions can happen along the way that could shake things up, but it is pretty safe to assume that as of this moment, the cores of different teams are all set. That being said, it's time to take a look at the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The team has a roster that is stacked with talent. The team has an all-star power forward in Kevin Love who can rebound quite well and whose range goes beyond the arc. The center position is manned by Nikola Pekovic who is one of the rare big men with a great post-up game these days. There are also some pretty solid players who can fill the small forward position. Chase Budinger and Derrick Williams can both play the position well. The point guard position is secured with Ricky Rubio being the main option and with other quality players on the team like J.J. Barea or Alexey Shved who can fill the role quite well. The team seems to be looking at Kevin Martin as the primary player for the shooting guard. Other guards on the team can fill the shift to the position as well.

The team also has a good wing defender in Corey Brewer. Rookies Shabazz Muhammad and Gorgui Dieng also carry some certain potential. All in all, the Wolves look good going into the upcoming NBA season.

Anyways, if you want more news and activities from other sports such as golf online betting, I highly recommend that you check out the preferred website for online sports betting in Australia.

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.

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.