Spurs have fourth best shot at NBA title according to Vegas

One would think owning the best record in the Western Conference, having what can be arguably the deepest bench in all of the NBA, capturing another 50-win season, and owners of three double-digit winning streaks in a shortened season, the San Antonio Spurs would be the odds-on favorite to win the 2012 NBA title, right?

Well not according to Las Vegas oddsmakers who list the Spurs with the fourth best odds to win their fifth NBA title behind the Heat, Bulls, and Thunder.

Jay Kornegay, director of the Las Vegas Hilton Race and Sports book, tabs the Lakers as the fifth choice to win the NBA title (12-to-1) behind the Miami Heat (7-5), Chicago Bulls (7-2), Oklahoma City Thunder (4-to-1) and  San Antonio Spurs (5-to-1).  MGM Mirage’s race and sports director Jay Rood has attached different odds, but has kept the same order for the Heat (5-6), Bulls (2-1), Thunder (5-2), Spurs (3-1) and Lakers (5-1).

So even though the Spurs landed the number one seed in the West and challenged the Bulls for the best record overall, Vegas oddsmakers still don’t give the Spurs respect.

Let’s not forget the Spurs owned a better record than Miami, and won the season series versus Oklahoma City.

I can forgive the oddsmakers for giving the Bulls the best shot considering their great defensive play and best overall record but this just shows how despite all the great accomplishments the Spurs did in the regular season, the team still doesn’t get recognized.

But then again, as Spurs fans would say, what is new?