The worlds of men’s tennis and women’s tennis are very different right now – and not just in terms of attire.

The men’s side is completely dominated by the triumvirate of the best-ever (Roger Federer), the best-right-now (Rafael Nadal), and the best-this-year (Novak Djokovic), with lanky brit Andy Murray fruitlessly trying to crash the party.

The women’s side, on the other hand, is about as predictable as a WWE pay-per-view.

The first week of Wimbledon threw this difference into sharp relief, as all but one of the women’s favourites were bounced, while the usual quartet of men advanced without much trouble to the quarters. In a way, it’s like comparing the NBA playoffs – where the cream tends to rise to the top – to the NHL, where a hot goalie can take a 7- or 8-seed a long way.

Whether you prefer the familiar, predictable battles of the men’s side or the anything-goes nuttiness of the women’s, this week should feature plenty of intrigue at the All-England Club.

Gentleman’s Singles

While it’s often hard to make a case for anything other than Nadal-Djokovic final, there are a few elements that could upset the natural pecking order. Namely, Rafa’s aching foot, Djokovic’s struggles on grass, and Roger Federer’s absolute dominance of the first few rounds. He’s been so in control that it’s looked like he’s hardly even trying, just saving his energy for the final matches.

The quarterfinal fodder features a couple guys with a frustrated country’s hopes on his shoulders – Mardy Fish, playing in his first quarterfinal at Wimbledon, would be the first American men’s champion since Pete Sampras in 2000, while 18-year-old Australian phenom Bernard Tomic would be the first champion from down under since Lleyton Hewitt in 2002.

Finals pick: Roger Federer over Rafael Nadal

Ladies’ Singles

It’s an All-European draw in the ladies’ quarters for the first time in 98 years. Eight different countries are represented, with Russia’s Maria Sharapova, currently ranked sixth by the WTA, as the only previous champion still in the mix. France’s Marion Bartoli played what she called the best match of her career against Serena Williams to make the quarters and comes in with a lot of momentum. Still, this tournament is totally up for grabs.

Finals pick: Victoria Azarenka over Marion Bartoli

Even baseball betting players had to stop what they were doing to say goodbye to Shaquille O’Neal, who retired after 19 years of being, arguably, the most famous basketball player on the planet. While Shaq is known for making noise off the court, today’s focus will be on his on-court accomplishments.

Orlando Drafts Shaq In 1992

After starring at LSU, Orlando took O’Neal with the No.1 pick, and he won the Rookie of the Year award. O’Neal also led the Magic to the Finals in 1995, where they were swept by Houston.

The Year 2000

2000 was a remarkable year for O’Neal, who is one of three players (with Michael Jordan and Willis Reed) to win the NBA MVP, All-Star MVP and Finals MVP in the same season. He also led the NBA in scoring that season.

The Three-Peat

2000 was also the first season of three straight titles for the Lakers, and O’Neal was the most dominant player in the league during that time. Of course, it all came crashing down when O’Neal and Kobe Bryant could no longer co-exist, and you have to wonder how many titles they would have won.

Dunking On Portland

That 2000 season also yielded the biggest play of Shaq’s career, when he took an alley-oop from Bryant against Portland in the Western finals. The Staples Center exploded, Shaq pointed to the rafters, and it was the highlight of the year.

Final Year In Phoenix

Many figured Shaq was done when he went to the desert, but he earned the final All-Star berth of his career (his 15^th) with his excellent play. Had Shaq been able to stay healthy in Boston as he did in Phoenix, the Celtics’ odds would have been much better in your betting book.

While Cam Newton may have come more or less out of nowhere to win the 2010 Heisman Trophy as college football’s top player, most winners enter the season as established, well-recognized stars. With three of the four finalists for last year’s trophy returning to school – Newton became the number-one pick in the NFL draft – there will likely be some familiar faces invited to New York this December.

While every college football season has its share of breakout stars expect to see these names in the mix come awards – and bowl – season.

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

As the consensus No.1 pick in the 2011 Draft, luck turned down millions of dollars to return to Standford for his junior season and a shot at Heisman glory. Some scouts have called him one of the best prospects they’ve ever assessed; Trent Dilfer thinks he could be one of the best professional quarterbacks in history. Despite all this, he’ll suit up for the Cardinal once again, a year after leading them to the first BCS bowl in the history of their football program. If the Cardinal find themselves playing in January once again, there’s a very good chance they’ll be doing so with a Heisman winner under centre.

LaMichael James, RB, Oregon

James finished third in the Heisman balloting in 2010 and capture the Doak Walker Award as the country’s best running back. As the best weapon in coach Chip Kelly’s spread-option offence, he accumulated nearly 2,000 yards from scrimmage with 24 scores as the Ducks enjoyed the best season Eugene has ever seen. If Darron Thomas improves as a passer in his second season as starter, James should see even greater opportunities to unleash his impressive speed and quickness.

Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State

Moore is the latest Broncos quarterback to put up incredible numbers on the blue turf of Boise – and he might just be the best. Named the number-one player in college football by The Sporting News, Moore has a chance to cement his legacy as one of the best college quarterbacks in history. He’s tossed 97 football scores, and despite losing his top receivers to the pros, should add at least another 30 to that tally. He might not be the NFL prospect that Luck is, but he could be the best signal-caller in the NCAA.

Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan

Robinson electrified college football early in the 2010 season, setting several Michigan records with his rushing performances. A Bet Online scam? Not likely. Injuries slowed him midway through the year, but he still finished with the first 1,500 yards passing/1,500 yards rushing season in NCAA history. How the Wolverines offence changes with Brady Hoke taking over as head coach after the dismissal of spread-option guru Rich Rodriguez remains to be seen, but Robinson will find a way to change the game with his speed no matter what style Hoke chooses to play.

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Even 2011 Belmont betting players had to lift their heads up from their racebook and check out the furor that NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen caused when he said LeBron James could be better than his former teammate, Michael Jordan, who is considered to be the best of all time by many. Pippen has caught flack from all sides for his comments, and for good reason, but that’s no knock on James.

Jordan was the most cut-throat player we’ve ever seen, and it’s easy to see that James isn’t cut from that cloth, but it’s their skill set that makes them completely different players. James is more like Pippen than he is like Jordan in that James looks to set people up more than Jordan ever did, and that’s not a bad thing. James is content to let Dwyane Wade take over on the offensive end of the floor late in games, while he focuses on being a defensive stopper, which Pippen was for the Bulls (although Jordan was also one of the best defensive players ever).

James is still 26 years old, so he has time to catch up to some of Jordan’s records, but the fact remains the same: LeBron James isn’t the same type of player as Michael Jordan, he never has been and he never will be. If you have to compare anyone to Jordan, it would be Los Angeles’ Kobe Bryant, from the laser-like intensity and the ability to not care how his teammates or anyone else feels. This is no betonline scam, LeBron James is going to be the best player in the NBA for a long time, which means Miami will likely stay atop the NBA betting odds in your sports betting book.

Better question: Are we really having this conversation again?

Even before LeBron James took the NBA by storm in 2003, people were already asking whether this 18-year-old man-child could surpass the greatness of the recently-retired Michael Jordan, the biggest star the sport had ever seen.

Physically, the tools were clearly there. He had the size of a power forward, and the speed, vision and passing skills of a star point guard. He promptly carried the Cavaliers from the cellar to the top of the NBA standings while assembling a highlight reel that only further encouraged the Jordan comparisons.

The most recent fuel for the LeBron/MJ conversation was comments from Jordan’s long-time sidekick Scottie Pippen on an ESPN radio show. Pippen went so far as to suggest that LeBron “may” be the best player to ever play the game, while Jordan was merely the best scorer. He pointed to LeBron’s superior ability to keep his teammates involved, and while that might sound like sour grapes from a guy who spent a decade overshadowed by his Hall of Fame teammate, there is certainly merit to it.

James is a much more willing distributor than Jordan was, taking a smaller percentage of his team’s shots while picking up more assists. But given the way he scores at will, many have argued he’d be better off taking over the offence more often. Jordan had a nearly-psychotic determination to singlehandedly destroy his opponents; James often seems somewhat passive and content to keep his teammates happy, possibly at the expense of success.

Jordan also worked far harder to expand and improve his game. He worked at becoming a better post player, a better three-point shooter, a better defender. James has the tools to be one of the most unstoppable post scorers in basketball, but seemingly hasn’t improved at all down low. His defence has certainly come a long way from his rookie season, but with his size and athleticism that’s to be expected. He’s seemingly more content to remain the dominant player he is, instead of working to become the best-ever player he could be.

It’s crazy to think LeBron James is still only 26, and might be on the verge of capturing his first title two years before Jordan did. He still has time to diversify his game and add to his trophy case, but unless he starts singlehandedly destroying top-level competition it’s hard to imagine he’ll be remember as the best player ever.

Most talented player ever? He might already have that title.

Biggest superstar ever? It’s possible.

Best player ever? Still a long ways to go.