NBA: Are the two Florida teams for real? - ESPN

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 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

I think Chicago is a really tough match up for Miami. Rose causes them the most problem then any other team because of Miami's lack of pg and C to contain him on defense.

by Kevin Lin on Mar 3, 2011 3:38 PM EST up 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

Chi would likely have to be the #1 seed for this to happen, which I just can't see happening.

by MagicMark on Mar 3, 2011 4:03 PM EST up reply actions

Not really.

If Boston has the 1 seed and Chicago the 2 with Miami the 3, then Chicago would host Miami in a game 7 if it were to happen.

Roll Bass and War Ryno for me

by Mateo9399 on Mar 3, 2011 4:09 PM EST up reply actions

Oh yeah you're right. We'd still play one of BOS/MIA if we played CHI in the 2nd round.

Long day @ work for me.

by MagicMark on Mar 3, 2011 4:15 PM EST up reply actions

wouldnt it be possible if it was orl vs bos as 1 vs 4 and chi and mia as the 2 vs3?

by Kevin Lin on Mar 3, 2011 4:10 PM EST up reply actions

Anyone care to summarize? I'm not an insider.

by Sci Fi on Mar 3, 2011 3:25 PM EST reply actions

ditto

"Evan!
Unban me from the OPP!"...........David Polega

by AB's triple double on Mar 3, 2011 3:30 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

Them being two time defending champs doesn't make them infallible to criticism.

by MagicMark on Mar 3, 2011 4:29 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