Hollinger insider article on Heat/Boston Big Three's matchup

[j804]

I'm curious as to what BS he has to spew this time around, should make for a good laugh. Thing is I dont have insider can somebody who has it post some excerpts of the article?

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2011/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=PERDiem-110429&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2fplayoffs%2f2011%2finsider%2fcolumns%2fstory%3fcolumnist%3dhollinger_john%26page%3dPERDiem-110429

[JBcat]

Here it is;

Six months later, here we are. Right back where we started.

The most-hyped opening day game in years featured Miami visiting Boston in a showdown of teams expected to be the East's two titans this season. And while the Chicago Bulls raced past both in the regular-season standings, it does little to dim the luster of this Eastern Conference semifinal series.

====================================================

Edited.  Sorry, guys.

When quoting from material that is not made freely available (i.e., ESPN.com "Insider" content, etc.), do not quote the entirety of the material.

[j804]

TP for posting as expected highly biased and one sided

[JT11]

Nothing we haven't heard before and nothing we won't hear again. Here's to proving him wrong.

[FallGuy]

TP for posting as expected highly biased and one sided

Oh, please. You either didn't read the article or completely misunderstood it. It's neither highly biased nor one-sided.

[Jon]

Well, he's also assuming Shaq won't play.  And he's basing that conclusion on the same evidence that people are basing it on here: nothing.  In fact, I'd wager we all probably know more about Shaq than Hollinger does, since we're compulsively following the story.  

Also, I don't think people probably should've posted the entire article.  You should probably stick to excerpts in the future.  

[crownsy]

I'm picking the Heat anyway, as you've no doubt seen from our series page, and I'm picking them in five games because the home-court-advantage team often closes things out that quickly even in series that are relatively even. (Witness Bulls-Pacers and Thunder-Nuggets in Round 1, for instance.)

on what planet were the bulls-pacers and thunder-nuggets relatively even?

[FallGuy]

I'm picking the Heat anyway, as you've no doubt seen from our series page, and I'm picking them in five games because the home-court-advantage team often closes things out that quickly even in series that are relatively even. (Witness Bulls-Pacers and Thunder-Nuggets in Round 1, for instance.)

on what planet were the bulls-pacers and thunder-nuggets relatively even?

Those Thunder-Nuggets games were all very close (save one). Same with Chicago-Indiana (although to a lesser extent).

[LooseCannon]

Cliff notes for those who don't want to read the entire article:

Hollinger believes that home court advantage matters a lot, Wade will play better against the Celtics than he did in the regular season, the failure of the Heat to finish in close games is over-exaggerated and probably won't come into play, the Celtics haven't played that well since trading Perkins (or Harangody), and the Boston bench is not productive.

You could say that Hollinger's argument is that the Celtics won't win because they lost HCA, the trade killed the team and didn't improve the bench, and Shaq isn't healthy enough to play.  That's the same argument that has made around here by board pessimists and trade haters, but because Hollinger doesn't root for the Celtics and doesn't appear to loathe the Lebron and the Miami Heat, some people think he is biased.

[crownsy]

I'm picking the Heat anyway, as you've no doubt seen from our series page, and I'm picking them in five games because the home-court-advantage team often closes things out that quickly even in series that are relatively even. (Witness Bulls-Pacers and Thunder-Nuggets in Round 1, for instance.)

on what planet were the bulls-pacers and thunder-nuggets relatively even?

Those Thunder-Nuggets games were all very close (save one). Same with Chicago-Indiana (although to a lesser extent).

I know that, thats not what he's talking about in the article.

just because the games are close does not make the teams "relatively even" as ballclubs

do you seriously think the pacers are anywhere near as good as the bulls?

or that the nuggets are as good as the thunder?

the "well the games were close" hypo, the sixers and heat are "relatively even" as well

[FallGuy]

I'm picking the Heat anyway, as you've no doubt seen from our series page, and I'm picking them in five games because the home-court-advantage team often closes things out that quickly even in series that are relatively even. (Witness Bulls-Pacers and Thunder-Nuggets in Round 1, for instance.)

on what planet were the bulls-pacers and thunder-nuggets relatively even?

Those Thunder-Nuggets games were all very close (save one). Same with Chicago-Indiana (although to a lesser extent).

I know that, thats not what he's talking about in the article.

just because the games are close does not make the teams "relatively even" as ballclubs

do you seriously think the pacers are anywhere near as good as the bulls?

or that the nuggets are as good as the thunder?

the "well the games were close" hypo, the sixers and heat are "relatively even" as well

Hollinger suggests the first round series between the Chicago-Indiana and OKC-Denver were close despite the lopsided overall win totals (4-1 in both cases). If you saw those games, you know he was right. He does not say, nor did I for that matter, that those opposing teams were as good as each other overall. So, why are you bringing it up?

What Hollinger is predicting in MIA-BOS is that the games will likely be close but that Miami will end up on top 4/5 times.

[vinnie]

Well, he's also assuming Shaq won't play.  And he's basing that conclusion on the same evidence that people are basing it on here: nothing.  In fact, I'd wager we all probably know more about Shaq than Hollinger does, since we're compulsively following the story.  

Also, I don't think people probably should've posted the entire article.  You should probably stick to excerpts in the future.  

He might be basing it on the fact that in the past 3 months, Shaq has played 5 minutes of competitive basketball and practiced for about another 5 minutes. Just sayin'.

[JBcat]

Well, he's also assuming Shaq won't play.  And he's basing that conclusion on the same evidence that people are basing it on here: nothing.  In fact, I'd wager we all probably know more about Shaq than Hollinger does, since we're compulsively following the story.  

Also, I don't think people probably should've posted the entire article.  You should probably stick to excerpts in the future.  

My bad.  I thought there would different points made throughout the article that people might want to read.

Hollinger claims the Heat were the most anticpated team since the 95-96 Bulls.  um I think the 07-08 Celtics would have something to say about that.  

I do like that stats that shows when Pierce defends Lebron.   I would have to liked to see if he had any stats when Jeff Green is on him as I my guess he will get ample time to guard him.  

Mentions how Lebron has a bad habit of retreating to half court on a switch in a pick and roll which makes it easy for our D to adjust.   I'll look out for that to see if he does that.  

Ray Allen I don't think gets enough respect for his defense.   He is not a lockdown defender by any means but does an adequate job.   Wade was atrocious against us during the season.  Curious to see how he'll do this series.  

I didn't realize the Celtics were that bad as well in the last 10 seconds shooting stat but I on the other hand league average is only 25.7%.

Hollinger seems to think Bibby can guard Rondo halfway decently, because he plays off him.  Rondo will still destroy Bibby in my opinion.

Really no mention of JO's impact recently which is a surprise.   He has played well for us.  

Hollinger thinks historically you are better off playing well the end of the regular season going into the playoffs.   I think that's true if you are fighting for a playoff spot, injury free, and not resting players.   We were not injury free, we rested players the last few games, and don't think we were all that concerned with playoff position.   Doc said himself he used games as sort of practice time for the new players due to the actual limited practice time we had towards the end of the season.  Hollinger doesn't even consider that in his thinking.  

[crownsy]

I'm picking the Heat anyway, as you've no doubt seen from our series page, and I'm picking them in five games because the home-court-advantage team often closes things out that quickly even in series that are relatively even. (Witness Bulls-Pacers and Thunder-Nuggets in Round 1, for instance.)

on what planet were the bulls-pacers and thunder-nuggets relatively even?

Those Thunder-Nuggets games were all very close (save one). Same with Chicago-Indiana (although to a lesser extent).

I know that, thats not what he's talking about in the article.

just because the games are close does not make the teams "relatively even" as ballclubs

do you seriously think the pacers are anywhere near as good as the bulls?

or that the nuggets are as good as the thunder?

the "well the games were close" hypo, the sixers and heat are "relatively even" as well

Hollinger suggests the first round series between the Chicago-Indiana and OKC-Denver were close despite the lopsided overall win totals (4-1 in both cases). If you saw those games, you know he was right. He does not say, nor did I for that matter, that those opposing teams were as good as each other overall. So, why are you bringing it up?

What Hollinger is predicting in MIA-BOS is that the games will likely be close but that Miami will end up on top 4/5 times.

of course i saw that the games were close, thats secondary at best to his analogy

and yes he does claim that in the article, thats exactly what his point about home court advantage being such a huge factor in this upcoming series is based upon. without that reasoning his analogy that MIA/BOS will play out the same way due to homecourt makes no sense in  context.

he is claiming in the article that:

1. the pacers/bulls and thunder/nuggets are "relatively even" as it comes to TALENT OF THE TEAMS(which i completely disagree with)

2. the fact that the bulls and thunder held home court made those series look lopsided because home court came into play, even though the teams were relatively even (in his mind, as reflected by the close scores)

3. The Heat and Celtics are also close to even talentwise, ergo, home court advantage will come into play in a similar fashion, and Miami will most likely follow suit and finish off the Celtics quickly in 5 close games.

his entire point is that he thinks the Heat and Celtics are relatively even on talent (which i agree with) and that homecourt makes such a huge difference AS IT DID IN THOSE FIRST SERIES VS RELATIVITY EVEN TEAMS (which i don't agree with, those games were close, it had nothing to do with the losing teams being nearly as good as the advancing teams) that the heat will win in 5 despite that closeness.

[LooseCannon]

Hollinger claims the Heat were the most anticpated team since the 95-96 Bulls.  um I think the 07-08 Celtics would have something to say about that.  

I don't think the 07-08 Celtics were as anticipated.  I recall there being concern that it would take a year for the players to develop chemistry and that these older players might start to show some decline by the time that happened.  That KG, PP, and RA meshed so easily was one reason why the Heat were anticipated.  Plus, the Celtics vets were just not seen on the same level as Wade and James, who are generally viewed as top 5 superstars.