We have another significant retirement in the National Football League, as Defensive Tackle, Gerald McCoy has retired.

The Third Overall Pick from Oklahoma in the 2010 Draft, McCoy played his first nine years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning the starting LDT job as a rookie. From 2012 to 2017, McCoy was chosen for the Pro Bowl, with three of those years earning All-Pro Selections (one First Team & two Second Team).

After suffering severe injuries in 2020, McCoy, who played for Carolina in 2019, had one appearance for Las Vegas in 2021. He retires with 59.5 Sacks and 334 Tackles.

As he did not play in 2022, McCoy is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2027. While he is unlikely to be chosen, he is good enough to make out Notinhalloffame.com list of those to consider for Canton once eligible. On our pre-2022 Season list of active players based on their Hall of Fame credentials; he was ranked at #54.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to wish Gerald McCoy the best in his post-playing career.

A Beginner's Guide to Basketball Betting

Basketball is a popular sport that is enjoyed by millions of people around the world. With its fast pace and high-scoring nature, it's no wonder that basketball has become a favorite sport for both players and fans alike.

But did you know you can also bet on basketball games to make them even more exciting? Betting on the basketball can be a great way to add an extra thrill to your sports-watching experience. 

In this beginner's guide, we'll provide tips and strategies to help you understand the basics of betting on basketball, how to analyze teams and players, manage your bankroll, and avoid common mistakes.

Understanding The Basics Of Basketball Betting

Before you start betting on basketball games, it's essential to understand how betting works at many online sportsbooks such as Parimatch. You can place many different types of bets on basketball games, and each has its own set of rules and payout structure. 

The most common type of basketball bet is the point spread bet. In a point spread bet, you're betting on the margin of victory for one team over the other. For example, if the point spread is -5 for the Los Angeles Lakers, they would need to win the game by more than five points to cover the spread.

Another popular type of basketball bet is the money line bet. In a money line bet, you're betting on which team will win the game outright, regardless of the point spread. Moneyline bets are usually accompanied by odds that determine the payout for a winning bet. For example, a -150 money line bet means that you would need to bet $150 to win $100 if your team wins.

Finally, there are also over/under bets, also known as totals. In an over/under bet, you're betting on whether the total points scored by both teams will be over or under a certain number set by the sportsbook. For example, if the over/under is set at 220, you bet on whether the total points scored in the game will be over or under 220.

Different Types Of Basketball Bets

In addition to the three main types of basketball bets mentioned above, you can place a few other types of bets on basketball games. One is a parlay bet, combining multiple bets into a single wager. 

Parlay bets can offer higher payouts than individual bets but are also riskier since all of your bets need to win for you to collect your winnings.

Another type of bet is a futures bet, which involves betting on a team to win a championship or other major event in the future. Futures bets can be placed before the season starts and offer the potential for big payouts if your chosen team wins.

Prop bets are another type of bet you can place on basketball games. Prop bets involve betting on specific events or occurrences during a game, such as which player will score the first basket or how many rebounds a certain player will have.

Researching and analyzing basketball teams and players

To succeed at basketball betting, it's essential to research and analyzes the teams and players involved in the game. This means looking at factors such as team records, player statistics, injuries, and other relevant information. You can use this information to make informed decisions about which bets to place and which teams to back.

One important factor to consider is a team's home-court advantage. Many groups perform better when playing at home, so it's important to consider this when making your bets. You should also consider the strength of a team's defense and offense and any recent trends or patterns in their performance.

When analyzing individual players, it's essential to consider their statistics, such as points per game, rebounds and assists. You should also look at their shooting percentage and performance in previous games. Injuries can also be a crucial factor to consider when betting on basketball games, as a key player is out of action can significantly impact a team's performance.

Managing your bankroll and setting a budget

Another important aspect of basketball betting is managing your bankroll and setting a budget. It's essential only to bet what you can afford to lose and to avoid chasing losses or betting on impulse. 

One popular strategy for managing your bankroll is the Kelly Criterion, which involves calculating the optimal amount to bet based on your edge and bankroll.

It's also important to shop around for the best odds and take advantage of sportsbooks' bonuses and promotions. By researching and finding the best value bets, you can maximize your potential winnings and minimize your losses.

Tips for successful basketball betting

Following a few essential tips and strategies is important to succeed at basketball betting. 

• First, staying current on the latest news and information about the teams and players involved in the game is essential. This means following sports news websites, social media, and other sources to stay informed.
• Another important tip is to be disciplined and stick to your betting strategy. This means avoiding impulsive bets and only betting on games that you have thoroughly researched and analyzed. 
• It's also important to avoid chasing losses and to never bet more than you can afford to lose.
• Finally, staying focused and avoiding distractions is essential when betting on basketball games. This means avoiding alcohol and other substances impairing your judgment and staying focused on the game and your betting strategy.

Common mistakes to avoid in basketball betting

There are also several everyday things that beginners often need to correct when betting on basketball games. 

• One is betting with their heart instead of their head, which means letting emotions guide their betting decisions instead of logic and analysis
• Another mistake is betting too much too soon, which can quickly deplete your bankroll and lead to more significant losses.
• Other mistakes to avoid include chasing losses, failing to shop around for the best odds, and not taking advantage of bonuses and promotions offered by sportsbooks. 

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can increase your chances of success and minimize your losses.

Sports betting apps and websites for basketball betting

Many sports betting apps and websites are available for basketball betting, each with unique features and advantages. These apps and websites offer various betting options, including point spreads, money lines, totals, prop bets, live betting, and in-game wagering.

When choosing a sports betting app or website, it's important to consider factors such as user experience, customer support, and the availability of promotions and bonuses. You should also ensure that the app or website is licensed and regulated by a reputable authority to ensure fair play and secure transactions.

Responsible gambling and seeking help

While betting on basketball games can be a fun and exciting way to enjoy the sport, practicing responsible gambling and seeking help if you feel your betting is becoming a problem is essential. This means setting limits on your betting, sticking to them, and seeking help if you are developing a gambling addiction.

Many resources are available for those who feel they may have a gambling problem, including hotlines, support groups, and counseling services. By seeking help and practicing responsible gambling, you can ensure that your sports betting experience remains enjoyable and safe.

Conclusion

Betting on basketball games can be a great way to add some extra excitement to your sports-watching experience. 

By understanding the basics of basketball betting, researching and analyzing teams and players, managing your bankroll, and avoiding common mistakes, you can increase your chances of success and maximize your betting experience. 

Remember to practice responsible gambling and seek help if your betting becomes problematic. These tips and strategies allow you to become a successful basketball bettor and score big on your favorite games.

 

For the select few that manage to make it as professional athletes in the world of sports, they have a unique opportunity to use their platform to bring awareness to important issues that go beyond the sport that they play. The impact that a respectable athlete can have on a community and even a country has been well documented. Below we will go through some of the most famous British sports stars that have made a huge difference in the community that they have come from.

Mo Farah

First up is Mo Farah, who is one of the greatest long-distance runners in all of British history. Despite being one of the world’s top athletes, Mo Farah has also had a significant influence on his wider community. He has used his platform to spread awareness about the famine and drought that has taken place in Somalia, the country he is originally from. In addition to this, Mo Farah has also used his social media to show his support for the organization, Save the Children. With all of these respectable endeavors, it is no surprise that Mo Farah is among the few knighted sports stars thanks to his charity work and contributions to those in need. 

Crista Cullen

Crista Cullen is an Olympic medal winner who played a crucial role in Great Britain's victory at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics as part of the hockey team. In these two Olympics combined, Crista Cullen won a bronze medal in 2012 at the Olympics held in London and a gold medal at the Olympics held in Rio. Throughout her impressive career, Cullen represented Great Britain a total of 197 times and also featured in the world all-star team a total of three times. 

However, Cullen proved to be more than just a fantastic athlete. She also has a strong passion for conservation and founded the Tofauti Foundation. This organization focused on the protection of ecosystems and environments located in Africa. The foundation worked with locals in rural areas of Africa to protect the wildlife and natives from the impacts of the growing population and unwanted farming. Throughout her time as a conservationist, Cullen completed a number of successful projects in East Africa and made a huge difference to the livelihood of the natives that lived there. 

Duncan Slater

At just 19 years of age, Duncan Slater signed up for the RAF and completed a number of posts as part of the military. Unfortunately, Slater suffered significant injuries during his time in Afghanistan back in 2009, which left him as an amputee. However, Duncan didn’t let this stop his ambitions to make an impact, and in 2013, he went on to complete a race to the south pole. This amazing effort was to raise funds and awareness for injured veterans, and upon completion, he was the first double amputee ever to complete this achievement. 

However, Duncan didn't stop there, and in 2017, he also completed the Marathon Des Sables, which is regarded as being one of the world’s hardest footraces which he did to raise money for charity again. Some of the other achievements that Duncan has includes becoming an ambassador for the British Citizen Awards, and he also decided that completing the hardest footrace in the world once wasn’t enough. 

In 2020, he returned to complete it a second time and show everyone that looked up to him that you can achieve anything that you put your mind to, despite your circumstances. He continues to do extremely valuable and charitable work to raise awareness for injured veterans that were part of the military in Britain. She then went on to be nominated for the Sunday Times Sports Woman of the Year Award, which she narrowly missed out on.

Stacey Copeland

Stacey Copeland played professional football for England and then went on to switch careers and become a boxer at a professional level. Whilst she played football, she played for England at an under-18s level and even reached the final of the FA Cup. She plays in countries such as Sweden and America during her time as a footballer. When Stacey decided to make a switch to boxing, it turned out she had a natural talent for the sport and went on to take home silver at a European competition. In addition to this, she also won the title at the Commonwealth in 2018. This accomplishment made her the first ever female from Great Britain to do this. 

Stacey wanted to use her platform and following to do good in the wider community and show that anyone from any background is capable of the achievements that she has herself. She started the ‘Pave the Way’ foundation, which encouraged school children to follow their dreams and not let anything deter them from achieving them. Her impact is undeniable, and in 2017 she won the Sky Sports Woman of the Year Award.

Fans adore top performers in so many fields, but what happens when these individuals start approaching the autumn years of their lives? For those in the music industry, this shouldn’t dampen their enthusiasm one iota. A lot of artists worthy of winning awards or being considered Hall of Famers are still adored by a diverse fan base. Not despite being older but because of it. Maturity brings experience and a verve for living absent in so many half their age! Here we’ll not only provide examples of five of these female musical cougars, still capable of attracting much younger suitors. We’ll commence by examining why the age-gap dynamic is continuing to explode.

The Cougar Dating Trend That Has Spread From The Celebrity World

Are you a single guy who has asked the question, ‘Are there cougars near me who might be into a relationship?’ If the answer is yes, you’re certainly not alone. There are so many reasons why age gaps are healthy for romance, and it’s also a route for younger men to pursue older women with ultra-cool hobbies, like musicians. Males often get fed up with trying to engage girls their age in meaningful conversations, which is why flocking to cougar dating sites is proving to be so popular. These online platforms are places where prospective partners are never judged, and secure communication channels are tailor-made for a conducive chat.

Just as the number of singles gravitating to cougar dating websites is increasing all the time, so too are the men attracted to mature female musicians. Perhaps it’s part of their artistic development that these cougars are focusing on virile men to date and keep their muse inspired. What could be less inspirational for a musician than having someone on their arm which is always moaning about late-night clubbing and would rather be at home in their slippers?!

Five Top Older Females in Music Who Pursue to be Cougars

Cher

Known for her booming contralto voice, Cher is the only artist to have earned the number one singles spot on the Billboard chart every decade from the 1960s to the 2010s. Her present squeeze is music executive Alexander Edward, who is 40 years her junior.

Tina Turner

Often referred to as ‘the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,’ Turner’s countless hit singles have included ‘’Nutbush City Limits,’ ‘River Deep – Mountain High,’ and ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’ (for which she won a Grammy. The oldest female singer to top the Billboard Hot 100, the massively-popular singer is now an incredible 83 and married to Erwin Bach, aged 67.

Madonna

If the aforementioned Turner is the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Michigan-born Madonna is undoubtedly the Queen of Pop. Pushing the boundaries of artistic expression, she remains one of the cultural icons of the modern age. She has also had a string of relationships with younger men, including an eight-year marriage to English film director Guy Ritchie, 10 years younger.

Britney Spears

The former teen pop superstar, Mississippi-born Spears, now 41, married Iranian-American model Sam Asghari, 29, last year. 

Mariah Carey

The USA’s highest-earning female singer, Carey, enjoyed an unprecedented run of hit singles in the 1990s, leading to being signed by Virgin Records in 2001 for a deal reputedly worth $100 million. Dubbed the ‘Songbird Supreme’ by the Guinness Book of Records, her five-octave vocal range has attracted millions of fans. One, in particular, is 37-year-old choreographer Bryan Tanaka, who has been dating the 13-years older superstar for a while. Like any other couple, they’ve had their ups and downs, briefly breaking up in 2017. But that seemed to be a temporary glitch, and they’re now happily posting pictures of themselves on social media.

Advice for Starstruck Single Guys

One thing that will always put older women off much younger guys is immaturity. If you set your sights on a middle-aged musician, you’ll need to demonstrate a degree of intelligence. Show you have a wide knowledge of female performers and can hold enthralling conversations on the subject.

It’s plain to see that dating younger men isn’t just a niche subject. For young guys, what could be more tempting than a relationship with an older musical legend? For these cougars, being desired by charming dudes is surely way better than the thought of having men their age lusting after them. So, if you’re a young male aspiring to follow in the footsteps of the lads we’ve mentioned dating senior superstars, how about concluding words of advice? Keep your eyes peeled for the latest online celebrity news, whether that’s about the latest stars being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame or, indeed, legends being voted into any one of many similar outlets. This information will not only provide scenarios you can aspire to emulate, but it will also give you excellent conversational icebreakers.