Hollinger says "Heat will breeze past us easily in the second round"

[j804]

5. What do you make of the Celtics going forward in the postseason?

John Hollinger, ESPN.com: I give them a pretty mixed review. Winning in four is impressive, regardless of the opposition, but those first two home games against New York's full roster were hardly encouraging ... and that was against an average team, not against a contender like Miami. I still think the Heat will breeze past them fairly easily in the next round.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2011/news/story?page=5-on-5-110425-KnicksCeltics

I think we thrive and love the underdog role but still easily?!? 

[Fafnir]

Breeze is a bit much, but I expect a most people to pick the Heat.

Honestly given our recent play before Games 3/4 against the Knicks what have the C's shown? There are a lot of excuses and reasons, but the C's just hadn't looked very good until we got to New York. Plus the Heat will have HCA over us as well.

I do expect the Heat or Celtics to represent the East in the Finals.

[droopdog7]

To pick the heat is one thing.  But to say that they will breeze past the Celts is a real slap in the face.

[cman88]

the team from games 3/4 however is most likely what well see against the heat though.

and if he wants to bring up the cetics struggling in games 1/2 against an "average" knicks team. The Heat LOST to an average 76ers team.

Most pundits will pick the Heat, just like most pundits picked the Cavs and the Magic last year. But thats why you play the games...

[Fafnir]

the team from games 3/4 however is most likely what well see against the heat though.

I hope so, though I don't expect the C's to be able to score on the Heat like the did New York. Both teams are nightmares for opposing teams to score on, games will be grinds.

[OsirusCeltics]

I laugh at all the Celtic hate from the media. Praying that they would eventually lose

I laugh hysterically

[j804]

To pick the heat is one thing.  But to say that they will breeze past the Celts is a real slap in the face.

the fact that he said "easily" is a kick in the you know what

we got to much pride to fold and be taken out easily he is mistaken

[hpantazo]

Did people forget that we beat miami 3 out of 4 games this year already? And the one game we lost was at the end of the regular season when we were basically on autopilot?

[cman88]

the team from games 3/4 however is most likely what well see against the heat though.

I hope so, though I don't expect the C's to be able to score on the Heat like the did New York. Both teams are nightmares for opposing teams to score on, games will be grinds.

well, defensively in games 3/4 with JO at center, we shut the Knicks offense down...JO provides us with alot of what Perkins did...games 1/2 it looked like they were getting their feet wet with the playoffs and 3/4 flipped the switch

Rondo being agressive, taking it to the hoop, penetrating and dishing out assists is something he should be able to do against miami as well....Rondo should be able to fly past bibby/chalmers.....

as long as Rondo is wreaking havoc on the Heat defense I like our chances.

Also, getting shaq to play 15minutes or so to backup JO would IMO put us over the top against the Heat...

[RAcker]

To pick the heat is one thing.  But to say that they will breeze past the Celts is a real slap in the face.

the fact that he said "easily" is a kick in the you know what

we got to much pride to fold and be taken out easily he is mistaken

But his numerical equation tells him it's going to be so.

[ejk3489]

Hollinger rarely picks the Celtics.

His prediction last year by each round was:
 
First Round: Celtics in 7
EC Semi: Cavs in 5
ECF: Orlando in 5
Finals: Lakers in 7

I mean we did play pretty badly the last half of the year, so I guess it's understandable.

But still, saying the same thing again this year? Shouldn't the Celtics at least get some of the same credit that the Lakers do for showing up in the post season? I don't really care either way, but to say Miami will breeze past us is pretty laughable.

[Prof. Clutch]

Miami very well could beat us, it certainly won't be a 'breeze' though.

[EJPLAYA]

You forget about Stern and his minions though. Just like we were allowed to rough up opponents in 08 and then the next couple years weren't allowed to play the same way, the Heat will be given free reign to pound us to a pulp and we won't be able to touch Lebron or Wade. It is too good a thing for the NBA to get Lebron a ring, so if we beat them, we'll have to do it 5 on 8. I expect the winner of this series to win the whole thing though.

[JoT]

Well I guess being the first team to sweep meant nothing. Yes the Celtics didn't play that well in the beginning and yes they did struggle the last month or two before the playoffs, but the breeze and the easily part was really a slap in the face and semi disrespectful. The Celtics have too much pride and will to lose without a fight and because of it I do think they can beat the Heat. I want them to win and I want to see their Miami 3 since I don't call them the Big 3 nor do I call them the Heatles at all cry and feel the defeat. I was trying to be nice and feel some compassion, but not anymore. I want the Celtics to smother and destroy the Heat and I want them to do it proving who's the best and yes I want banner 18 in the end too. This team gets hated on and never get the respect when they do well, but get the criticism when they do bad. I want the analyst to look crazy and try to explain how they knew the Celtics were gonna win.
It will be a long and hard fight towards banner 18, but I think and know this team can do it. I will not stop believing until the Celtics are done at the buzzer.

[prov1ml34]

I absolutely hate this bald piece of you know what. But, hey, keep on picking against us Big Johnny we love being the underdog.....what a loser.