Can someone explain to me who Kurt Kelin is?

[kp4000]

Can someone explain to me who Kurt Helin is? I know he's an NBC sports writer for NBC's online ProBasketballTalk, that I do know.

Every time I go to ProBasketballTalk, a majority of NBA related articles are written by Kurt Helin. And whenever Helin writes about the Miami Heat, he some how includes the Celtics in just about every Heat related article, swear. I don't understand his obsession with Miami or Boston for that fact.

Kurt Helin is always mentioning how great Miami is, but how Boston can't beat them. The way Kurt writes about Miami, one would think they're the ones with 17 banners and counting. Look, I get that Miami is the team to beat, but they too have flaws like everyone else, but for some reason Kurt thinks Miami can do no wrong.

Here's what he wrote today:

My two cents: I believe in tiers this time of year. That top tier is teams with a very real title shot, and to me there are three teams on it — Miami, Los Angeles and Oklahoma City. There are too many variables, the margins for error are too small among these three teams to call one a clear favorite right now. But almost always the eventual winner comes out of this tier.

The next tier is the “if everything goes right” tier — the group with no margin for error and guys that may need help with the top tier coming back to them a little. That is where Boston is for me — improved but not good enough to beat a healthy Heat team straight up (they couldn’t beat a banged up Heat team last year). Teams do come from this tier to win it all, see the Dallas Mavericks, but it takes a special kind of playoff run. Indiana is on the border of this tier, Chicago fell off it down a level or two. In the West, maybe the Lakers or Thunder will falter for some reason, but not both.

After those groups… well, life should not be championship or bust. It should be about enjoying the ride.

Here's a response from a poster:

But the Heat struggled with a depleted Celtics team. Kurt, did u forget that the Celtics were missing four key rotation players(Bradley, Green, Wlicox, JO) and had injuries to Pierce(MCL Sprained) and Allen( Bone spurs) factor all of these and yet the ECF went 7 games. That’s not saying much about both teams in my opinion.

[ACF]

They couldn’t beat a banged up Heat team last year

[kozlodoev]

I don't see anything here that is unreasonable. Other than some Boston fans, that is

We've been pretty much an "if all goes right" team for the past 3-4 years.

[kp4000]

I don't see anything here that is unreasonable. Other than some Boston fans, that is

We've been pretty much an "if all goes right" team for the past 3-4 years.

It's not unreasonable, but it's reasonable that Boston can beat the Heat. There's no fact in Kurt's argument. Read between the lines, friend.

Boston is for me — improved but not good enough to beat a healthy Heat team straight up (they couldn’t beat a banged up Heat team last year). 

Who else on Miami was bangned up besides Bosh? So the Celtics didn't lose players to season ending injuries? The Miami Heat was relatively healthy compared to Boston. I didn't know Bosh was on the same level as James,  Wade, Garnett or Pierce.


Miami Heat Injuries:
Bosh

Boston Celtics Injuries:
Bradley
Wilcox
Green
O'Neal
Pierce(MCL Sprained)
Allen (Bone Spurs)

James, Wade, and Bosh are still in their prime though they're pushing late 20's to early 30's, so of course they're going to better than Celtics team with aging superstars pushing mid 30's. The fact is as u get older u lose your athleticism.

The Heat had a 2-0 lead heading to games 3 and 4. Bosh returned and the still Heat lost game 5. The Celtics had a 3-2 lead without Bradley, Green, Wilcox or JO. So my argument is sports writers, Celtics fans and Heat fans need to stop making excuses as to why the 2012 ECF was competitive.





 

[ACF]

I don't see anything here that is unreasonable. Other than some Boston fans, that is

We've been pretty much an "if all goes right" team for the past 3-4 years.

That post made me think of the Bulls and Derrick Rose. Also, if LeBron James goes down in the first round in the playoffs (which, of course, he never will because of all the steroids in his body) do you really think Miami would be champions?? No-sir-ree.

[kozlodoev]

I don't see anything here that is unreasonable. Other than some Boston fans, that is

We've been pretty much an "if all goes right" team for the past 3-4 years.

It's not unreasonable, but it's reasonable that Boston can beat the Heat. There's no fact in Kurt's argument. Read between the lines, friend.

Read between the lines? You mean, imagine stuff? Nah, I'm not much into looking for stuff that isn't there.

Not sure what "fact" you're referring to (that's an opinion article). And he's not saying Boston can't beat the Heat. Unlike some local fans who seem to assume it's pretty much a lock, and anyone who dares to say there are some preconditions to such victory is an idiot -- even more so if it's a national writer.

Boston is for me — improved but not good enough to beat a healthy Heat team straight up (they couldn’t beat a banged up Heat team last year). 

Who else on Miami was bangned up besides Bosh? So the Celtics didn't lose players to season ending injuries? The Miami Heat was relatively healthy compared to Boston. I didn't know Bosh was on the same level as James,  Wade, Garnett or Pierce.


Miami Heat Injuries:
Bosh

Boston Celtics Injuries:
Bradley
Wilcox
Green
O'Neal
Pierce(MCL Sprained)
Allen (Bone Spurs)

It's curious that you duly acknowledge every single injury on the Celtics, even for guys that actually suited up, but neglect to do so on the Heat -- Wade, for example, was playing hurt for most of the playoffs.

Also, Bosh is a more important player than any of the four guys that didn't play for us. We lucked into grabbing a couple of games while he was out, but after that it was pretty much a no-contest affair. Neither of the Bradley/Wilcox/Green/O'Neal bunch would have had such an impact on our side.

James, Wade, and Bosh are still in their prime though they're pushing late 20's to early 30's, so of course they're going to better than Celtics team with aging superstars pushing mid 30's. The fact is as u get older u lose your athleticism.

The Heat had a 2-0 lead heading to games 3 and 4. Bosh returned and the still Heat lost game 5. The Celtics had a 3-2 lead without Bradley, Green, Wilcox or JO. So my argument is sports writers, Celtics fans and Heat fans need to stop making excuses as to why the 2012 ECF was competitive.

It's a pretty easy answer: the ECF was competitive because (and while) Bosh was out. Here's to hoping we have sufficient depth in the front court to make sure Garnett doesn't run out of gas this season.

[kp4000]

I don't see anything here that is unreasonable. Other than some Boston fans, that is

We've been pretty much an "if all goes right" team for the past 3-4 years.

It's not unreasonable, but it's reasonable that Boston can beat the Heat. There's no fact in Kurt's argument. Read between the lines, friend.

Read between the lines? You mean, imagine stuff? Nah, I'm not much into looking for stuff that isn't there.

Not sure what "fact" you're referring to (that's an opinion article). And he's not saying Boston can't beat the Heat. Unlike some local fans who seem to assume it's pretty much a lock, and anyone who dares to say there are some preconditions to such victory is an idiot -- even more so if it's a national writer.

Boston is for me — improved but not good enough to beat a healthy Heat team straight up (they couldn’t beat a banged up Heat team last year). 

Who else on Miami was bangned up besides Bosh? So the Celtics didn't lose players to season ending injuries? The Miami Heat was relatively healthy compared to Boston. I didn't know Bosh was on the same level as James,  Wade, Garnett or Pierce.


Miami Heat Injuries:
Bosh

Boston Celtics Injuries:
Bradley
Wilcox
Green
O'Neal
Pierce(MCL Sprained)
Allen (Bone Spurs)

It's curious that you duly acknowledge every single injury on the Celtics, even for guys that actually suited up, but neglect to do so on the Heat -- Wade, for example, was playing hurt for most of the playoffs.

Also, Bosh is a more important player than any of the four guys that didn't play for us. We lucked into grabbing a couple of games while he was out, but after that it was pretty much a no-contest affair. Neither of the Bradley/Wilcox/Green/O'Neal bunch would have had such an impact on our side.

James, Wade, and Bosh are still in their prime though they're pushing late 20's to early 30's, so of course they're going to better than Celtics team with aging superstars pushing mid 30's. The fact is as u get older u lose your athleticism.

The Heat had a 2-0 lead heading to games 3 and 4. Bosh returned and the still Heat lost game 5. The Celtics had a 3-2 lead without Bradley, Green, Wilcox or JO. So my argument is sports writers, Celtics fans and Heat fans need to stop making excuses as to why the 2012 ECF was competitive.

It's a pretty easy answer: the ECF was competitive because (and while) Bosh was out. Here's to hoping we have sufficient depth in the front court to make sure Garnett doesn't run out of gas this season.

Not sure what "fact" you're referring to (that's an opinion article). And he's not saying Boston can't beat the Heat. Unlike some local fans who seem to assume it's pretty much a lock, and anyone who dares to say there are some preconditions to such victory is an idiot -- even more so if it's a national writer.

That's exactly what he's saying. I read the articles ProBasketball most written by Kurt Helin. Every-time an article is written in regards to Miami, Helin finds a way to mentioned how the Celtics can't be Miami, kid u not. Look, the Celtics made significant improvements to the roster, but I still think Miami is better.

I think Miami is better, because their core players James, Wade and Bosh are still in their prime. Where as the Celtics core players Garnett and Pierce are pass their prime. But luckily for the Celtics they have a top 5 PG in Rondo and arguably the best coach in basketball, Doc Rivers or Greg Pop, but that's up for debate.

It's curious that you duly acknowledge every single injury on the Celtics, even for guys that actually suited up, but neglect to do so on the Heat -- Wade, for example, was playing hurt for most of the playoffs.

Also, Bosh is a more important player than any of the four guys that didn't play for us. We lucked into grabbing a couple of games while he was out, but after that it was pretty much a no-contest affair. Neither of the Bradley/Wilcox/Green/O'Neal bunch would have had such an impact on our side.

That's where you're wrong. There's a reason why the Celtics have not been back to the finals since 2010. Answer, health! This team is never healthy. And you're suggesting that Bosh's injury was more significant than the Celtics players. It's sad that u see things that way. Bodies are bodies and if u want to get far or make a deep playoff push need all your bodies.

We lucked into grabbing a couple of games while he was out, but after that it was pretty much a no-contest affair. Neither of the Bradley/Wilcox/Green/O'Neal bunch would have had such an impact on our side.

Lucked in? Wow. Was it luck when Miami won games 1 and 2 without Bosh? Was it luck when the Celtics won games 5 without Bosh in the line-up. You speak as if Bosh is some sort of game changer. Kevin Garnett has always been far better than Chris Bosh. Garnett, 36, is still better than the Bosh. You don't know what impact Bradley, Wilcox, Green or O'Neal could of have. You're just assuming.

Some can make an argument that both Miami and Boston lucked in when Rose and Howard went down? Can't assume, kozlod. Nice to see your optimism though I guess not all Celtics fans are reasonable.

[Jeff]

Kurt is a nice guy and I think he's a pretty good writer.  If you hear any anti-Celtic bias in his writing it probably stems from being a Lakers fan (that's where he got his start - running one of the best Laker blogs)

besides, the Heat are pretty closely tied to the Celtics since we are the top competition at this point (and the team they had to get through the last two years)