LEBRON JAMES SPECULATION SEES MIAMI HEAT LISTED AS FAVOURITES FOR NBA 2010/11 CHAMPIONSHIP

Today looks to be the big day for a basketball saga that has captured the attention of nearly everybody on the planet. This Lebron James-oriented excitement isn't just restricted to North America- the betting markets are already starting to heat up in Europe and it's safe to say that all the recent acquisitions, coupled with the Lebron James speculation, has seen the Miami Heat move into a commanding lead as the betting favourite for the 2010-2011 NBA Season. 

While the betting volume isn't exactly massive at this point, the odds selection on the NBA season at Betfair is boasting some very intriguing prices. This is exacerbated by the fact that there are very few odds on the upcoming season being bandied about by bookmakers on both sides of the ocean. 
As it currently stands, The Miami Heat are priced at 3.2 and this is based on not just the Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade signings- I'm confident that they have been bet down fairly hard by those who think Lebron might just be on the way to Miami. For Americans, this means a $100 bet pays out a total sum of $320, or +220. 
Kobe Bryant and the LA Lakers are available at a 4.5 (+350) price and I think that's a really solid bet if you're a Lakers fan. If they get off to a good start in the 2010/11 season then you'll see that price sink like a stone. 
The New York Knicks are the surprising third favourite in the running for NBA Champion and you'll find that priced at 6.0 (+500) with the Chicago friggin' Bulls priced at 7.2 (+620). Orlando Magic are listed at 7.8 (+680) and the Cleveland Cavaliers trade at an 8.6 (+760) price. 
You can back the Boston Celtics to get the job done next year with an 11.0 price (+1000) and then the odds take a big jump up to 18.0 (+1700) for the Dallas Mavericks and the Denver Nuggets. Other teams that were linked with Lebron James include the LA Clippers at 36.0 (+3500) and the New Jersey Nets at 23.0 (+2300)
I personally think that the fact that Lebron James has gone to all this trouble to air a one-hour TV special is a fairly strong indicator that he will likely stay in Cleveland. I can't see somebody drawing that much attention to themselves and their loyal homegrown fanbase and saying "thanks guys, but I'm out." It's the equivalent of getting your wife, kids and extended family together for a reunion and then announcing "we're getting divorced!"
Lebron James to stay in Cleveland and the Cavs to finally win a title? Not at 8.6 thank you very much. The Miami Heat at 3.2? This is going to be a very interesting season, you can already tell. If you do think that Lebron is going to move though, there are some solid prices available that will certainly drop sharply after his announcement. 
Where do you think Lebron James is going? Let us know in the comment section!