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

[kozlodoev]

I'm surprised there doesn't seem to be some mathematical explanation involved...after all, this guy is crazy obsessed with the numbers game and relating it to hoops.

The bigger problem is that fans appear to be obsessed with him being obsessed with the numbers game.

[Jon]

If only narrowly beating NY twice in the first two games somehow [dang]s us, then what does Hollinger make of Miami simply losing to the Sixers? 

Did narrowly winning somehow become worse than out and out losing? 

I just don't understand. 

As for Hollinger, I think he may be the biggest idiot at ESPN, and that's saying a lot. 

[StartOrien]

I'm surprised there doesn't seem to be some mathematical explanation involved...after all, this guy is crazy obsessed with the numbers game and relating it to hoops.

The bigger problem is that fans appear to be obsessed with him being obsessed with the numbers game.

This one of my many gripes w/ Bill Simmons. I still enjoy his podcasts, but he sounds like everyone he used to hate ten years ago when he talks about being anti-stats. I know he's somewhat informed on them, probably moreso than me, but he sounds old & crusty when addressing that kinda stuff.

[byennie]

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...

This. I love how the Heat can LOSE to Philly (at least once), the Bulls can trail Indiana in EVERY 4th quarter AND lose (at least once), the Lakers have lost twice, and yet the Celtics are somehow the team that hasn't impressed in the 1st round. Because they didn't beat the Knicks (a 6th seed that added Carmelo late in the season) by a wide enough margin.

If you want to say "look, the 1st round hasn't changed my opinion, and I already think Miami is a much better team" then fine, but the idea that the C's didn't sweep the Knicks properly is bull feces. There is only 1 other team (OKC) with a chance of a sweep in the first round, Pierce put up 38 in a game, Ray is shooting lights out, KG is playing well, Rondo had a triple double with 20 assists, JO is back, Delonte is back, Shaq may return, what more do you want from the C's to be considered more than a pushover for the Heat?

The Cs are no lock to win it all, but there is no team or player in the league stupid enough to think they will be a breeze to beat for anyone. Just pundits and sound bytes...

[ManUp]

Of all the ESPN dumbdumbs experts Hollinger is the dumbest most far gone. He's the guy that looks at the boxscore instead of watching the games and thinks he understands it all. He doesn't take anything, but the numbers into account. I think it's more likely to be an easy series for the Celtics than one for the Heat.

[Celtic#9]

I wonder how often other analysts make fun of Hollinger, it seems like he is almost always wrong. Anybody have a total of how many times he is wrong?

[JoT]

If only narrowly beating NY twice in the first two games somehow [dang]s us, then what does Hollinger make of Miami simply losing to the Sixers? 

Did narrowly winning somehow become worse than out and out losing? 

I just don't understand. 

As for Hollinger, I think he may be the biggest idiot at ESPN, and that's saying a lot. 

Also weren't Miami on the brink of losing in two games Game 1 and game 3 if I remember correctly.

[ballin]

Hollinger gives real stat-heads a bad name.

Quite frankly, Hollinger doesn't understand the game of basketball. He might understand how it's played, but he definitely doesn't understand how games are won.

PER is the biggest joke of a stat that has ever existed.

And if you check out David Berri (creator of wins produced) and the other guys featured on the Wages of Wins blog, they absolutely DO clown on Hollinger constantly.

[NoraG1]

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?!? 

Funny thing to say since Celtics swept and higher seeded Heat lost a game to their opponant and could not beat C's in the reg. season....

[CelticSooner]

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...

This. I love how the Heat can LOSE to Philly (at least once), the Bulls can trail Indiana in EVERY 4th quarter AND lose (at least once), the Lakers have lost twice, and yet the Celtics are somehow the team that hasn't impressed in the 1st round. Because they didn't beat the Knicks (a 6th seed that added Carmelo late in the season) by a wide enough margin.

It seems like it's always been different when it comes to the C's. Seems like they just want the C's to go away yet they keeping showing back up.

Only thing that matters is for the C's to keep winning.

[birdwatcher]

If only narrowly beating NY twice in the first two games somehow [dang]s us, then what does Hollinger make of Miami simply losing to the Sixers? 

Did narrowly winning somehow become worse than out and out losing? 

I just don't understand. 

As for Hollinger, I think he may be the biggest idiot at ESPN, and that's saying a lot. 

Or what about Chicago "barely" beating the Pacers in 3 games and losing the 4th? Or the Spurs and Lakers being DOWN 1-2. And like you said, Miami blew out Philly once in 4 games and had to hang on in the others until finally losing one. We were the only team in the first round to close out a series with a sweep, period. We've proven we can win in close games and also finish a team when they're down. Screw Hollinger.

[Spicoli]

Am i the only one who doesn't think the Heat are that good? Man, that team is overrated. I have watched the Heat all season, and they never blow anyone out. They blow leads. They can't close games. Their role players are mediocre, etc. We beat this team 3 times this season. We lost the 4th game when we were in full on slump mode. The C's would have lost to just about every team in the NBA at that point. I don't know who will win the series, but i'm sorry, i have no fear of the Heat whatsoever. The LeBron Cavs scared me much more than this Heat team does.

[Rondo_is_better]

He's literally never been right about anything. I think that plus his super smarmy attitude is what makes him such a super effective troll.

[Roy H.]

Am i the only one who doesn't think the Heat are that good? Man, that team is overrated. I have watched the Heat all season, and they never blow anyone out. They blow leads. They can't close games. Their role players are mediocre, etc. We beat this team 3 times this season. We lost the 4th game when we were in full on slump mode. The C's would have lost to just about every team in the NBA at that point. I don't know who will win the series, but i'm sorry, i have no fear of the Heat whatsoever. The LeBron Cavs scared me much more than this Heat team does.

I disagree with some of this.  Yes, they have mediocre role players, but they're a good team.  I think you're underestimating their ability to build / hold leads; they led the NBA in point differential this year.

Obviously, they're a shallow team led by their best three players.  However, those three players are extremely talented, and all three (yes, even Bosh) can take over a game.

I think this is our toughest playoff series.  If we win this, I feel confident that the Celtics can and will win the championship.  However, this is going to be a very tough series.

[greenhead85]

Did Hollinger and the other so-called pundits ever played competitive basketball during their younger years?

I usually give a much deeper thought on retired pro-ball players' opinions and predictions than them.

Those Heat will be facing a totally different Celts in the 2nd round. What we have are players who are so focused on every play. I am not worried about them. I am more worried on our players' consistency, bench contribution and officiating.

Their edge - Lebron - is almost as good as neutralized with the coming of Jeff Green who by the way made Melo sweat out for each goal he attempted in the 1st round. Lebron is a much worse jump shooter and far less accurate than Melo. His jumpshot (or plainly his shooting)form is defective. Lebron is the classic anti-thesis of team play. Most of his successful outside shots were against smaller guys which he did several times when he was in Cleveland. That is his play and I dont see it changing.

Boston in 5 or 6.