While there are numerous wagering options, one sport that many people are interested in, whether they are true fans of the Summer Games or just casual observers, is basketball.

Basketball is becoming a truly global game with players of many different nationalities playing in the NBA and in turn, those players will be representing their countries in Beijing.

Of course, all the talk going into the Olympic hoops tourney surrounds the US team.

The 2004 Summer Games in Athens, Greece represented a low point in Team USA basketball history; where previous teams were able to cruise effortlessly to gold, the Athens squad managed to lose to Argentina in the semifinals by a final count of 89-81.

The fact that they beat Lithuania for the bronze medal is inconsequential; the 2004 version of Team USA failed in its mission.

Wanting to go in a different direction this time around, the American side will see the show run by university coach Mike Krzyzewski (Duke) and assisted by another college coach, Jim Boeheim and NBA coaches Mike D’Antoni (Knicks) and Nate McMillan (Trail Blazers).

The roster is also a little different. While the team does features stars like the L.A. Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, the Cleveland Cavs’ LeBron James and the Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade, role players like the Milwaukee Bucks’ Michael Redd and the Detroit Pistons’ Tayshaun Prince are on the roster as well.

SPORTS BETTING.COM has the U.S. Men’s Olympic team listed, as you might expect, as the odds-on -500 favorite. The steep price isn’t scaring away bettors, as Kobe and crew have rung up 70% of all the action wagered on “Who will win the gold medal in Men’s basketball”.

Men’s basketball isn’t the only sport that will feature notable athletes. Taking a look at the men’s side of the tennis event looks like seedings from one of tennis’ grand slam events, including Rafael Nadal.

Nadal couldn’t be any hotter going into the Beijing games having taken the last two ATP grand slam events (The French Open and Wimbledon) as well as the ATP Rogers Masters Series in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Fatigue could be a factor though, as Nadal looked tired and irritable when he arrived in Beijing a few days ago.

Nevertheless, the soon-to-be top player in the world is listed at +150 to take the gold medal.

Although fair play and good sportsmanship are stressed, athletes and countries are competing so medal counts will be closely observed.

According to the odds, the top medal winning countries will come down to three; China (-120), Russia (+1500) and the U.S. (+100). If you think another country will haul in the most medals it will pay out at +5000.

The action has been fairly evenly split on this one, with each country seeing between 27%-31% of the volume.

In the same vein as the top medal winning country prop is the gold medal prop, the same options at the same odds are available.

SPORTS BETTING.COM has a full, comprehensive betting menu for the 2008 Beijing Olympic games and if hoops, tennis and medal propositions aren’t your things, chances are you’ll be able to find something that does tickle your fancy.

August 7, 2008