Episode 9 of the Sports Betting Tips podcast, hosted by veteran NBA journalist Chris Sheridan, is now available on podcast platforms. This episode, featuring former Manhattan coach Bobby Gonzalez, features talk of Stephon Marbury, Dwyane Wade, the 2020 Olympics, and the state of international basketball.
This episode is sponsored by BetDSI Sportsbook, which is now open to the U.S. market. Use promo code BBALL1000 for a free $25 wager.
Coach Gonzalez called in from Beijing, where he has been helping Stephon Marbury conduct elite basketball clinics all over China. The two have known each other since Marbury was young.
“Stephon certainly is a legend over here,” Bobby shared. “He played nine years in the CBA…he’s kind of like the Michael Jordan of China.”
Naturally, the conversation progressed to Dwyane Wade’s future, as recent reports indicated a CBA team offered him a three-year deal worth $25 million. Neither Bobby nor Chris see Dwyane heading to China.
“He just needs to wait for Hassan Whiteside to get moved or the Heat clear money,” Chris shared.
Bobby echoed that “it sounds like Pat Riley and them still want (Wade).” Furthermore, he said the CBA teams don’t appear to have the money it would take to land Flash.
“I’ve been told that most CBA teams operate with a budge of 8-10 million a year,” Bobby shared. “That would basically be their whole team budget on Dwyane Wade each year…it’s kind of highly unlikely that they would spend that kind of money on Dwyane Wade.”
Bobby then discussed what it’s like for NBA players when they spend time in China.
“I think the thing that most NBA players get surprised about when they do come over here, once again is just the pure love for the game,” he said. “They don’t have American football here, they don’t have baseball here. Basketball is number one. It’s the king.”
2020 Olympics
The conversation moved on to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and 2019 World Cup of Basketball in China. Team USA is currently a -2000 favorite to win the gold in Japan, per BetDSI, but Australia, which has recently produced pros like Ben Simmons and Joe Ingles, is another team to keep an eye on.
“They’ve really got it going,” Bobby said.
Chinese Hoops
While on the topic of international hoops, our hosts discussed the state of Chinese basketball.
Bobby believes “China’s going to have some pressure on them to try and do well in 2020.”
China has done well producing bigs, but hasn’t produced many solid guards.
“They seem to be producing more NBA players in Europe, and they play a more skilled style of game, and those teams seem to give USA a harder time in competition,” Bobby shared.
Stream the full episode above, and be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform.
