Hobbled Iverson skips Nuggets trip
Basketball Betting Lines
02/08/2007 -
DENVER (AP) -Allen Iverson's swollen right ankle doesn't have any structural damage, but he still stayed home while the Denver Nuggets left for a two-game trip to the Midwest.
Iverson aggravated his sprained ankle during overtime in the Nuggets' loss to New Orleans on Wednesday night. He had 22 points, nine assists and four rebounds in his return from a four-game absence but wasn't his usual self as he had to settle for jumpers. An MRI on Thursday didn't show any structural damage.
``I think it is one of those things where I just came back too soon,'' Iverson said. ``I couldn't be me on the basketball court. I am more effective being aggressive and going to the basket and making things happen.''
Asked if he felt he was hurting his team rather than helping, Iverson said: ``I feel like I'm hurting me, first. That's my main concern. ... Obviously, I am worried about my team, but if I am out there and I can't be me, then I don't think I am helping them.''
Iverson realized he shouldn't have rushed back to help his struggling team, which has lost seven of eight.
``This is a game I love to play, but even more than that, I want to be there to help, given that we are struggling the way we are,'' Iverson said. ``I wanted to go out and give us a lift, but the way my ankle was in the second half, I can't help that way.''
Iverson will miss the Nuggets' games at Indiana on Friday night and Milwaukee on Saturday night but hopes to play again Monday night against Golden State.
He acknowledged, however, that he might be sidelined through the All-Star game Feb. 18 in Las Vegas.
``This (team) means more to me than the All-Star game. I have been there and done that in my career. If I have to (skip it), if that's the right thing for me to do, then that is exactly what I will do,'' Iverson said. ``That is something that I haven't thought about because I don't care about that right now. I care about this team right here.''
If Iverson backs out of his eighth All-Star appearance, that would give teammate Carmelo Anthony another crack at making his first All-Star team as one of commissioner David Stern's injury replacement picks. Stern has said he won't hold Anthony's 15-game suspension for fighting against him when choosing replacements.
Coach George Karl, who has spent the last two months juggling his lineup because of trades, injuries and suspensions, kept up a brave front in the face of his latest setback regarding Iverson.
``We are good enough to win without him,'' Karl said, ``and it will be special if we can get everyone on the court.''
Center Marcus Camby (groin), who hasn't played in a week, will be a game-time decision Saturday night.
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American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6
The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.
Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com. "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis. It's like Week 1 of the NFL. Pre-season means nada!
We do know the 24 finalists however.
Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24. He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway. He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien.
Brandon Rogers - Who?
Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition. He should go a good distance.
Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was. And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition. He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice! People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way.
"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks. He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes. But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.
A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”
Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes.
"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate. "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past. He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far. Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."
Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts)
And the others:
Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter
The girls
"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis. "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has. The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive. I think she will go far."
Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.
"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams. Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth. "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.
Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.
Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.
Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan
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Last two contestants will be?
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