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Around SBN: Sixers Vs. Celtics: Countdown To Game Seven

At ESPN Insider (subscription required), John Hollinger explains why "pundits" don't like the championship odds of the Orlando Magic or Miami heat, and why their arguments against the two Florida teams are flawed.

about 1 year ago Minimalistchalksquare_tiny Evan Dunlap 26 comments 0 recs  | 

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It was a pretty good read.

I like how Hollinger uses his stats, but is not blind to what he sees on the court. My personal favorite writer for ESPN. Either way, I agree he is right. I actually think Orlando and Miami in the end will be the ECF. I think Orlando will beat Boston and Miami will beat Chicago. From there it is a 6 or 7 game series and I do not know.

Roll Bass and War Ryno for me

by Mateo9399 on Mar 3, 2011 2:54 PM EST reply actions  

Well If Chicagoe were to beat them

I would take that. Chicago has no answer for J Rich, Jameer(Rose does not play defense), and obviously Dwight. Dwight would literally destroy Noah. And I could actually see SVG put Dwight on Boozer because Noah does next to nothing on Offense. If it is Chicago vs Orlando in the ECF, I would be 80% we are heading to the Finals.

Roll Bass and War Ryno for me

by Mateo9399 on Mar 3, 2011 3:48 PM EST up reply actions  

He basically defends the Magic and Heat

He states that point differential is the best predictor of playoff success and not record in close games or against winning teams yet people seem to write off the Heat and Magic even though they have great differential and their star players represent 3 of the past 5 Eastern Conference Champions.

He talks about how big wins by the Magic (like blowing out the Bulls in Chicago and Boston on Christmas day) happened when people were looking at other things (Lebron returning to Cleveland and Christmas). He mentions that there is focus on the Heat’s poor record against top teams, but it is better than the Lakers against those same teams but LA gets a pass for some reason.

Finally, he lists reasons both have a shot. The top being that they have 3 best players in the league, they have done well in the playoffs (mentioning the only team with more series wins than the Magic the past 2 years is the Lakers) and they’ve proven it with margin of victory.

All in all, a very positive article for the Magic and Heat. The comments from ESPN trolls on the other hand…

The plural of "anecdote" isn't "data."

by EnnBee on Mar 3, 2011 3:38 PM EST reply actions  

yeah i like how he mentioned our big wins getting overshadowed

and when he said we have the 2nd most playofff wins besides the lakers

by antpooper on Mar 3, 2011 3:38 PM EST up reply actions  

thanks for this.

http://borntohustleroses.blogspot.com/

by fwedo on Mar 3, 2011 3:55 PM EST up reply actions  

"but it is better than the Lakers against those same teams but LA gets a pass for some reason."

Hmm I don’t know, maybe because they are 2 time defending NBA champs?

Maybe.

LOL oh Hollinger…

by gatorboi352 on Mar 3, 2011 4:27 PM EST up reply actions  

I actually agree with this.

The logic, which admittedly has all come about because of what Boston managed last year, is that veteran teams can to whatever they want in the regular season and we don’t doubt them. No one is going to count out Boston or LA this year, just based on what happened last year.

But I would agree, if you’re going to use that logic, that’s fine, but then you’d have to give the Magic the same credit. Perhaps they haven’t had quite the same post season success of Bos/LA in the past 4, but they’ve been pretty damn close each year. They’re a veteran team with post season experience, so if we want to use that “regular season doesn’t matter” philosophy for LA, then you have to for Orl.

"Phil is obviously a good coach. You don't win that many games without being a damn good coach, ... Remember one thing: He's been very fortunate. He picks his spots. That's all I can say." - Red Auerbach

by Sizzlack on Mar 4, 2011 10:51 AM EST up reply actions  

Definitely good to hear, especially from someone like Hollinger.

But keep in mind Hollinger was saying the same thing last year regarding the Magic’s point differential as a strong predictor of playoff success.

by CaliFlorida on Mar 3, 2011 4:32 PM EST up reply actions  

Well

we did sweep our way into the ECF

by Satch30 on Mar 3, 2011 4:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

So the largest point differential ever in a playoff series wasn't success?

I know success is relative, but Boston was playing out of their mind compared to how they had played for the last 50 games of the season.

by MagicMark on Mar 3, 2011 4:48 PM EST up reply actions  

And they were one of the last four teams standing.......

While also coming way too cocky for Game 1. By the time game 3 came around that series was over.

Roll Bass and War Ryno for me

by Mateo9399 on Mar 3, 2011 4:59 PM EST up reply actions  

thanks EnnBee

Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.

by 44792212 on Mar 3, 2011 5:27 PM EST up reply actions  

F the cHeat

"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.

by KingJafi on Mar 3, 2011 4:36 PM EST reply actions  

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