Johnson stays with Hawks

Basketball Betting Lines

07/08/2010 - Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Hawks have officially re-signed unrestricted free agent guard Joe Johnson.

As per team team policy, no terms of the deal were announced. However, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution quoted Arn Tellem, the agent for Johnson, saying that the deal will pay the four-time All-Star $123.7 million over six years.

Johnson became the first Hawks player to start in the All-Star game last season since Dikembe Mutombo in 1997-98 and finished the campaign averaging 21.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 76 games.

The 29-year-old Johnson led the Hawks to 53 wins last season and a first-round playoff victory over Milwaukee in seven games before Atlanta bowed to Orlando in four games in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

"Although I explored several different opportunities this offseason, Atlanta was the place I wanted to be," said Johnson. "I truly appreciate the commitment shown by the Hawks and the team's ownership, and their continued efforts to improve the team. I look forward to my teammates and I trying to reach our ultimate goal together -- competing for a championship for the city of Atlanta."

He signed with the Hawks as a free agent in 2005 and over nine seasons with Boston, Phoenix and Atlanta, he has averaged 17.6 points, 4.2 boards and 4.5 assists per game.

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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

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Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

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