Jackson the Bettor's Favorite to Get Knicks Job

Who's going to be the new coach in Milwaukee? The online sportsbook Bodog lists odds for six candidates plus the field -- Scott Skiles is easily the favorite with 1:1 odds, followed by Larry Brown at 3:1, Rick Carlisle at 7:2, Tom Thibadeau at 4:1, Jeff Van Gundy at 6:1 and Mike Fratello at 8:1.

What about the Bulls? Carlisle and Van Gundy are tied with 7:4 odds, followed by Fratello at 7:2, Terry Porter at 9:2 , Thibodeau at 6:1 and Mark Jackson at 8:1. Personally, I'd peg Carlisle as the favorite to land with the Bucks over the Bulls due to his history working with John Hammond, but all in all I can't disagree with these odds.

But what about the Knicks job? This is where it gets interesting. In talking with a contact from Bodog over email, I was told Bodog almost didn't post any odds on candidates since "Jackson is such a prohibitive favorite." What they settled on was a straight-up question: "Will Mark Jackson be named the new head coach of the New York Knicks?" The only option bettors can select is "no," which pays +150. In other words, which means they're so sure he's going to get the job they're not willing to risk a single dollar for people wanting to bet "yes," no matter how long the odds.

Granted, all of this might change once Donnie Walsh starts bringing in candidates to interview, but it's interesting that the snap judgment from a company whose business is based on making correct guesses is that the job is absolutely Jackson's to lose.

Previously on FanHouse:
Zeke Could Have Made You Some Money