July 1, 2010 is not coming quickly enough for NBA general managers. Just look at this free-agent class that will on the market: LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudamire, Joe Johnson and Yao Ming lead the way, while veteran stars suck as Steve Nash, Shaquille O’Neal, Tracy McGrady, Michael Redd, Dirk Nowitzki, Manu Ginobili, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen could also be looking for work. Very exciting stuff.

My problem is that…..it’s 2008. Yes, the New York Knicks made some moves that was obviously a ploy to free cap space for 2010, and many other teams will be doing so (unless some GMs haven’t done their homework). And we all know that having a player like James on your team will boost your championship hopes, as well as your NBA betting odds. But the stars sound like they are getting tired of hearing the questions already, as James’ interview with Stephen A. Smith a couple nights ago showed. It’s going to be a long 19 months.

Oh, and this video is a 3-minute compilation of James’ work so far this season. Is it just me or is he looking more physically dominant that ever before? Like, “dunking on three people is just what I do” dominant.

This weekend’s big matchup that should have you scrambling for your online sportsbooks will take place in Toronto, where the Raptors will host the Boston Celtics in a Sunday matinee matchup. Things got a little heated last time these two met (see video below), and culminated with Sam Mitchell (Garnett’s mentor) essentially calling Kevin Garnett a fake thug for getting in the face of a much-smaller, but feisty, Jose Calderon. Sunday should have something for everyone, whether you are just a fan of the league or you like to bet online.

The Celtics have split their last ten visits to Toronto with the Raptors, but have won on two straight trips up north. Paul Pierce was the difference in a 94-87 win last month in Boston, lighting up the Raptors for 36 points, including 22 in the final stanza. If the Raptors want revenge, they will have to focus on “The Truth” and not let Garnett get into their heads. Chris Bosh was held to only nine points in 40 minutes: you can bet that he will be better this time out. Celtics vs Raptors odds will be up in the air for this one, as the Celtics were favored by a point in their last trip to Toronto, while the Raptors were favored by 1.5 points before that.

Even though you really had no reason to pay attention to the Seattle Supersonics over the last couple of years, while betting online or otherwise, their move to Oklahoma is still mind-boggling. Oklahoma does not strike me as much as a basketball city, and I wonder how likely Kevin Durant is to bolt as soon as possible (My bet: pretty bloody likely). Plus, they had Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton, easily the best best alley-oop duo of all time:

Got more exciting duos that that? I’d love to see it.