Hollinger on the Cs Kids

[ssspence]

Josh Schmidt (Dighton, MA): Do you see the Celtics giving Bill Walker, J.R. Giddens, and Sheldon Williams some playing time? Walker was a good scorer in college, Giddens showed improvement, and can Williams play like a 5th overall pick like he was?


Hollinger: I could see Walker getting some minutes, yes. Giddens is terrible, I don't think he can play and have no idea why they picked him. Williams will be the fifth big man and be better than your typical No. 3 center if he's in shape (which he wasn't last year)-- terrible shooter and finisher, but he's physical and he rebounds.

Hollinger is often dramatic, but i think this is a fair assessment. There's been some talk about Giddens good play in Summer League, but i though he looked AWEFUL. A wild slasher with less-than-elite athleticism. Poor shot, poor ball handling skills.

It remains a total mystery to be why he's a Celtic over 4 or 5 guys who went after him in last years draft.

[johnnyrondo]

Josh Schmidt (Dighton, MA): Do you see the Celtics giving Bill Walker, J.R. Giddens, and Sheldon Williams some playing time? Walker was a good scorer in college, Giddens showed improvement, and can Williams play like a 5th overall pick like he was?


Hollinger: I could see Walker getting some minutes, yes. Giddens is terrible, I don't think he can play and have no idea why they picked him. Williams will be the fifth big man and be better than your typical No. 3 center if he's in shape (which he wasn't last year)-- terrible shooter and finisher, but he's physical and he rebounds.

Hollinger is often dramatic, but i think this is a fair assessment. There's been some talk about Giddens good play in Summer League, but i though he looked AWEFUL. A wild slasher with less-than-elite athleticism. Poor shot, poor ball handling skills.

It remains a total mystery to be why he's a Celtic over 4 or 5 guys who went after him in last years draft.

Rather have Powe as the 15th man than Giddens for sure. Still not sure why Danny drafted Giddens over Chalmers and Jordan

[Roy Hobbs]

I don't trust Hollinger's analysis; I don't believe he watches games.

I don't think there's much of a reason to say Walker is a prospect, and Giddens is terrible.

[ManUp]

I don't trust Hollinger's analysis; I don't believe he watches games.

I don't think there's much of a reason to say Walker is a prospect, and Giddens is terrible.

Agreed.

[Change]

And how would he know that? I'll take Ainge's word on this one.

[ssspence]

I don't trust Hollinger's analysis; I don't believe he watches games.

I don't think there's much of a reason to say Walker is a prospect, and Giddens is terrible.

Agreed.

Not that Walker looked great in Summer League either, but if you guys were watching the same games i was i can't believe you can claim he'll ever be an NBA player.

I can see Walker playing 15 minutes a night or more in the NBA. Giddens? Not a chance.

[Roy Hobbs]

I don't trust Hollinger's analysis; I don't believe he watches games.

I don't think there's much of a reason to say Walker is a prospect, and Giddens is terrible.

Agreed.

Not that Walker looked great in Summer League either, but if you guys were watching the same games i was i can't believe you can claim he'll ever be an NBA player.

I can see Walker playing 15 minutes a night or more in the NBA. Giddens? Not a chance.

Why?  What skill does Walker possess that Giddens doesn't?

They're both monster athletes.  Giddens is a better shooter, he's got better length, and he's a better defender.

Walker is tougher.

In terms of evaluating either as NBA prospects at this point, I just can't say that one can develop into a rotation player and the other can't.

[ssspence]

And how would he know that? I'll take Ainge's word on this one.

Like when Ainge signed Mark Blount to the full MLE with a 15% trade kicker? He's not a robot. He should have taken The Fresh Prince, Jordan or Chalmers.

[ManUp]

I don't trust Hollinger's analysis; I don't believe he watches games.

I don't think there's much of a reason to say Walker is a prospect, and Giddens is terrible.

Agreed.

Not that Walker looked great in Summer League either, but if you guys were watching the same games i was i can't believe you can claim he'll ever be an NBA player.

I can see Walker playing 15 minutes a night or more in the NBA. Giddens? Not a chance.

I just doubt Hollinger has seen anything except the stats these guys put up.

[Who]

Hollinger doesn't like old prospects ... I'm guessing that's why he has no interest in Giddens.

[RAcker]

Do I think that Hollinger based his assessment on hours of studying film?  No.

Do I think he might be right?  Yes.

We haven't seen enough of Giddens to really know one way or another in my opinion, but I also can't see him progressing faster than Walker considering their skill set and their collegiate careers.

[celticinorlando]

walker and giddens are about the same player...never will be stars or even important role players..as for shelden..if he plays defense and rebounds scores on garbage...that is all good for me

[Mr October]

walker and giddens are about the same player...never will be stars or even important role players..as for shelden..if he plays defense and rebounds scores on garbage...that is all good for me

I don't have much faith in either of these guys either. I hope they pan out, and will cheer for them.... This is their make or brake year.

After 2 seasons in the NBA you pretty much know what you've got with wing players. 1 season down, 1 to go...

[TerreHaute]

It's safe to say that if we ever have to rely on these guys for major minutes in their careers, we will be in trouble. That doesn't mean they can't ever contribute, but they are bench players. Based on that, what difference does it make what an ESPN analyst has to say? He doesn't coach or hire guys on the team.

[hankfinkel]

Like most analysts, be they more statistically oriented or more qualitative/scouting based, there are things I think Hollinger has assessed quite well and things he has not (his whole draft outcome model seems to have some big holes for instance).  He's not a scout or GM and probably does not pour over hours of film (he may, not sure about this), but, I assure you the guy does watch games and knows his stuff as well as most of his ilk.  I'm assessing this from a couple of conversations I had with him at social events during conferences, so I certainly don't know his specific habits.  But, in conversation, he's not some stat geek who does not understand the game, and he does not give off a vibe of being arrogant or all knowing.  Pretty decent, engaging guy who seems pretty bright.

Hollinger gets trashed a lot, and in some areas I agree this is deserved.  But painting him as a stat focued no nothing sometimes, just has not rung true for me when I've talked him, for what it's worth.