Having veterans on your team is sure to boost their NBA betting chances, but there are some in the league still playing off past successes, while a couple players have flourished, and one is even mounting a solid comeback. The players on this list all have at least ten years of NBA experience. Three Phoenix players make this list, and hoops betting players should take this into account when making their sportsbook picks.

Shaquille O’Neal, Phoenix (LSU, 1992)

Four NBA titles, three Finals MVPs, one regular MVP (a travesty, but that’s another article) and thousands of quotes, Shaq has been one of the dominant forces in the league since he was drafted out of LSU back in ’92. However, the Suns seem to be building their new style of offense around him, and not Amare Stoudamire, which will surely hurt their hoops betting chances. Shaq is still serviceable, but the end is very near for the “Big Aristotle”.

Steve Nash, Phoenix (Santa Clara, 1996)

No one though Nash would be as productive as he’s been since leaving Santa Clara (where?), but 13 years later, the Canadian is still going strong. However, he is also struggling in the Suns’ new offense, as he looks lost running a half-court set. His defense, never his strong suit in the first place, is getting worse, and with the up-and-coming point guards in the league, he can be abused. There is talk of him ending his career in New York with former Phoenix coach Mike D’Antoni.

Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers (Lower Merion HS, 1996)

Hard to believe “Bean” has been in the league 13 years after skipping college, but he hasn’t done too bad for himself, with four rings and last year’s MVP win. His Lakers are the NBA betting favorites after last year’s disappointing loss to Boston, and his supporting cast is proving he doesn’t have to carry the load. However, he will still drop 50 on you in a heartbeat.

Vince Carter, New Jersey (North Carolina, 1998)

Probably no more maddening player in the league. Carter was a force in Toronto, then admittedly stopped playing hard to demand a trade, and didn’t improve that much in New Jersey. But this year is seeing a return to the old VC, and having Devin Harris playing out of his mind at the point doesn’t hurt either. Although the Nets won’t have very good NBA betting odds, at least Carter looks like he cares again….but for how long?

Allen Iverson, Detroit (Georgetown, 1996)

After becoming the first Hoya to leave school early under John Thompson’s watch, Iverson exploded into the NBA and hasn’t slowed down since…..pace-wise, anyway. “The Answer” is getting caught on defense more often, and his propensity for, well, shooting a ton of shots doesn’t fit into Detroit’s team-first system. The Pistons are still a solid NBA betting team, but Iverson (a former MVP) will have to tailor his game to Detroit, not the other way around.

Tim Duncan, San Antonio (Wake Forest, 1997)

“The Big Fundamentals”, as Shaq dubbed him, just keeps on racking up double-doubles, and he’s played especially well this season as Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili went on the injured list. He DARES you to count out the Spurs when making your NBA betting picks. San Antonio will be there come playoff time, and Duncan will be the one leading the charge.

Rasheed Wallace, Detroit (1995, North Carolina)

“Sheed” was a beast at Carolina, but he has declined in recent years, and he doesn’t seem to be impressed with the Detroit brass for trading Chauncey Billups to Denver for Iverson. Wallace is still arguably the best big man in the league for perimeter shooting, but if things don’t get better for Detroit soon, he’ll become a distraction, and there goes the Pistons’ hoops betting chances.

Grant Hill, Phoenix (1994, Duke)

Too many injuries ruined what would have been a glittering career for the former Blue Devil, who was touted as “the next Jordan”. He is playing a reduced role, and it’s sad to see. Still one of the most respected players in the league, though. He should be done after this season.

Kevin Garnett (Farragut Academy, 1995), Ray Allen (UConn, 1996), Paul Pierce (Kansas, 1998) – Boston

Out of Boston’s “Big Three” which brought a title to “Beantown”, Allen’s career is probably in the most danger, as he has suffered a few injuries as of late. Garnett got off to a slow start, but is coming around. Pierce is the “baby” of the trio, and the most offensively talented, with the ability to take over games at a whim. The Celtics are just behind the Lakers in terms of NBA betting for the title, and it is difficult to see anyone other than Cleveland taking down Boston in the East.