Beers with Red Wydley

We’re sitting here at Alice Cooper’s restaurant in downtown Phoenix with professional gambler and sometimes writer Red Wydley. Red (not his real name) lives in Nevada and has been a long time gambler who has managed to survive as bettor and golf hustler for years and he was in Phoenix area playing golf with “friends” and agreed to sit down with me and share his thoughts about the NBA and upcoming playoffs.

3Daily Winners: What were your general impressions of the NBA season and did you have successful season wagering?

Red Wydley: I thought the season was better than in the last few years, there were more watch-able games and matchups that were at least viewable. I don’t watch a ton of NBA games; I more follow boxscores and patterns of teams play. That’s not to say I don’t watch any games, mostly the last 15 or so to see who looks right for the playoffs. I won betting the NBA, but what the hell, I should, that’s how I make money to live.

3DW: The NBA is the last bastion in professional sports where the best teams win the championship, not the hottest at the time. Recent examples in other sports are St. Louis and Philadelphia in baseball and the New York Giants and almost Arizona in football. With how this works in the NBA, that takes away a lot of the drama and who doesn’t think the NBA Finals will have the Lakers, Cleveland or Boston, what do you think?

Red: I think that was a really long question. You’re probably right, but what’s wrong with that? If those are the three best teams, fine. In the other sports, star players aren’t as important as the NBA. The best teams have the best players, if the best player doesn’t play his best, than his team will lose, like what happened with Kobe (Bryant) in the finals last year. The other sports have more players that are dependent on one another for success. You mention the Cardinals winning the World Series, who remembers who won the MVP? The Giants got confidence from losing to New England and later beat them in the Super Bowl, that doesn’t happen in the NBA.

3DW: The big story as the playoffs start is the report that Kevin Garnett might not play at all, what does that do to Boston’s chances of repeating?

Red: Kills them. Garnett is the heart and soul of the Celtics, but not there most clutch player. Almost every NBA champion has had two superstars and third player who made generous contributions. Paul Pierce is ruthless at crunch time and Ray Allen hits big shots all the time. Garnett is a contributor and defensive leader, not the guy. Think of him a Ray Lewis of the Ravens. You can play great defense, but somebody has to score. Who takes Garnett’s place, Marbury? (Laughing out loud) By the way nice shirt, how did your wife let you out of the house?

3DW: I actually like it, moving ahead, Chicago won 12 of last 16, can they upset Boston?

Red: Oh my god no. The Bulls made a run to make the playoffs with (Derrick) Rose and good players at guard and wing spots. Garnett’s absence gives the Bulls a chance to win one game, two if they are really lucky. Rajon Rondo is quicker than any Bulls guard and I expect Doc Rivers to punch the ball inside to (Kendrick) Perkins and (Leon) Powe, whose going to stop them, Joakim Noah? Maybe with his dad’s tennis racket. Most people forget how well the Celtics shoot the three-ball. Five games tops.

3DW: Detroit was one of the biggest disappoints in the NBA this season, can this aging team even win a game, or is Cleveland a best bet in sweep.

Red: The Pistons should win a game, as long as it’s a best of nine. I’ve watched the Pistons play four times the last month and this is a team that needs to be blown up like Phoenix. Detroit plays like they could care less and they lack cohesiveness, with a crummy mix of players. If Rasheed Wallace and Richard Hamilton have a terrific game together, maybe the Pistons take one; I don’t even see that happening.

3DW: Orlando may have been the best bet in the NBA (50-32 ATS), but they closed with 4-5 record, how do you see series with Philadelphia and can they beat Celtics?

Red: The Magic played real bored, even when they were fighting for second seed in April. The playoffs should energize them, but Orlando will have tougher time with Sixers than most think. Philadelphia is quicker than Orlando, even with lead-footed Andre Miller playing. I’ll take the Magic in six with closer games than people will expect. I give Orlando a chance to knock off Boston without Garnett, though I’d rather make that bet with your money than mine.

3DW: I’ve read and seen coach Jerry Sloan talk about his Utah club that has played with less enthusiasm than Lindsey Lohan after breaking up with gal-pal Samantha Ronson, losing seven of nine. Any reason to think Utah wins a game.

Red: Do you want me to see if I can book you as warm-up for Carrot Top? It might be time for Sloan to turn coaching reins over to somebody else. I think they have given up like 112 points (113.1) a game in their last 10 except for playing the Clips and that doesn’t count anyways. Lakers fans will only see the Jazz twice in the playoffs.

3DW: San Antonio and Dallas both showed heart to finish the season, setting up Texas 3vs6 showdown. This series is always about the visitor, what happens?

Red: I’m looking forward to this series. Reminds me of Ali-Frazier’s third fight. Two teams past their prime, but showing courage to the end. San Antonio will benefit from having three, two days of rest if the series goes at least six games. I like the way Dallas is playing right now and the home court means nothing in this series, betting Cuban’s in seven.

3DW: You mention the breaks between games; does it bother you as much as it bothers me?

Red: Hate it, hate it, hate it. I understand the whole TV revenue aspect, but the first round goes on for what seems a month! When I was kid, I remember going out to eat on Mother’s Day and she was pissed because my dad wanted to get home to watch Game 7 of the Finals between Milwaukee in Boston. It was the last game of the whole deal, which today is about the first or second game of the second round, ridiculous.

3DW: I concur. Do you think New Orleans can upset Denver?

Red: I know where you are going with this. If New Orleans was 100 percent healthy, I’d seriously have to consider it, since George Karl has proven to be a sap of the playoff coach. I’ve made enough money to stay at the Four Seasons for a month, betting against him in the playoffs. He does a lousy job making adjustments, but this team is different as Chauncey Billups brought winning attitude and they have the right mix of players with Carmelo, J.R. Smith and (Chris) Anderson adding more flexibility. I can see where people would like the Hornets as they are really made for playoff basketball, just not this year.

3DW: In the 4vs5 series, there are intriguing potential individual matchups. Dwayne Wade vs Joe Johnson and Yao Ming vs Greg Oden, what do you see occurring?

Red: You’re joking right? Am I on new episode of Punk’d? Johnson is a good NBA player, but not even in the same class as Wade. If Johnson has to guard Wade without help, he’d wish he never left Phoenix. I only saw Portland play three times and Oden missed each game. I spoke to one of my contacts earlier and asked him about this specific matchup and he confided that Oden will probably only guard Ming about a third of the time with (Joe) Przybilla and (LaMarcus) Aldridge all splitting time. As far as series, have to do more home work, preferring Blazers and Heat looking at your ugly shirt.

3DW: OK, quick questions needing quick answers. Biggest chance for first round upset?

Red: Dallas

3DW: The East Finals has …?

Red: Cleveland and, and Orlando?

3DW: Notice the hesitation. The West Finals has?

Red: You get paid to observe people? Lakers and Denver.

3DW: The best bet to make on NBA champion?

Red: The Lakers.

3DW: Why?

Red: Do you want quick answers or not? Since being embarrassed at Boston in Game Six of the Finals, the Lakers have only had one mission, get tougher and finish. Andrew Bynum will help, Kobe wants ring without Shaq and Phil (Jackson) wants to go down as the greatest NBA coach ever. Your turn to buy the beer.

3DW: Thanks for the time and the beer and good luck with golf tomorrow.

Red: Your welcome, god that is an ugly shirt, what’s that tag say –Rejected by Goodwill.