Television Game Experts
By Kris Lazaro (5/4/2007)
As a sports handicapper, the most entertaining part of my day is watching Sportscenter—not because of their wry humor and off-the wall commentary—but because of their supposed ‘expertise’ in the sports they cover. ESPN and other television sports outlets do not have a clue in handicapping games. They are mere entertainment venues where the coolest dunks, the flashiest passes, and the gnarliest hits are highlighted. But, in terms of real handicapping, they have nothing on real sports handicappers. In fact, the author believes the oddsmakers avidly watch Sportscenter and adjusts their lines according to how they cover teams.
During the NFL (national football league) season, so-called experts come out of the woodwork and start making their picks. They appear in newspapers, television spots, and online. But, bettor bewares. These people have no idea what they are talking about; if the reader does not agree, simply check over these ‘experts’ picks over the actual results of the games and one will realize just how bad these people are. Even if they come close to picking winners, the teams that are correctly chosen do not cover the spread. In short, fade (go against) experts’ picks whenever possible. In basketball, similar to football, the experts’ opinions are as worthless as a 10 team parlay.
The sport that eludes this fact is baseball. Since baseball is not a major betting sport for most people, and since baseball relies on the ‘true’ odds of a team winning a game, expert opinion carry no real value.
The problem with television coverage is that everyone hears the comments, including the players. Underdogs who are given no chance by the sports ‘experts’ usually prove them wrong by coming out with fire. They destroy the spread and often times win the game straight up. Imagine being told as a professional athlete that you are a double digit underdog…
In closing, do not follow the ‘experts’, may it be on television, newspaper, or online. Such people do not know what they are doing, and often times, just guessing their picks. Most of these people are ex-athletes, but do not be fooled—they are not experts.
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