RealGM

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=PERDiem-090129

I didn't like what he had to say about Gordon and Thornton.

Your opinions?

I hope you guys respond to him and let him have it. I just did.

First of all, dude just needs to get off K. Love's nuts. That's why he's mad; his sweetie pie didn't get picked. It's less about EJ making it and more about Love not making it. And I don't wanna hear about Gordon being picked because he's on a bad team. Bottom line: he starts, gets his minutes and he produces like an NBA starter, yet he's barely 20. Love comes off the bench, and while he is a productive rookie, he still plays like a rookie. Gordon over Love is justified.

As for Thornton, the "Human Goaltend Violation," I can recall maybe 3 times this season he's been called for such a thing. Cute nickname Hollinger, however, does not apply. Anyway, Thornton was inexcusably snubbed from the rookie team last year, so if nothing else, the selection for the sophomore team was a form of reparations. Even then, isn't he like 3rd in scoring among sophomores or something?

Hollinger takes himself way too seriously, and doesn't know half of what he thinks he does.

I do think that Love is deserving but that's no reason to put down Gordon. It's not our fault that we have to play Thornton and Gordon so many minutes because half of our team is out because of injury. They are our main offensive players and teams are focusing on them more. One player who I thought was less deserving of playing in the rookie game is Rudy Fernandez. I also don't see how Jamario Moon is deserving this year. I thought Moon was barely deserving last year and shouldn't have been picked ahead of Thornton.

Ooooh, we won't get to see Love's board work. Big effin deal. Gordon is a standout rookie, and if he keeps it up, he may even get mentioned in rookie of the year talks. Love seems like a good player, but I doubt a lot of people would find watching him more exciting than watching Gordon.

And he shouldn't be taken seriously if he actually thinks that Jamario Moon is deserving of a roster spot. Dude is deathly afraid of contact, which is why he hardly drives to the basket. He actually seems worse than last year. The only thing I think he's improved on is his 3 point shot. I do agree with him about Landry. Landry would've been a great addition for the sophs and would really even the teams. But Thorton got snubbed last year, he had to get a spot this year.

If Gordon didn't have to play so many minutes, he would be less fatigued and therefor more efficient. Only a sad personality like Hollinger would contradict himself so badly. It doesn't take a genius to see that Gordon has played more minutes and as a result puts up more numbers, it is quite obvious, actually. Only this stat geek chose to write an article featuring his seconds of research. I guess this is why Hollinger is the least read of the ESPN's NBA columnists.

Carl Landry over Al Thornton? This guy is just a little too much in love with his stats.

Unfortunately, fans won't get to see Kevin Love's boardwork in the rookie-soph game.

Seriously, who watches a game for "boardwork"? He probably only gets so many offensive boards because he comes in with the second unit and there's probably plenty of offensive boards to grab.

I agree with the fact that the Clippers have been so depleted that Thornton and Gordon play so many minutes that make them less efficient. By 4th quarters of games, or back to back nights, it's tough to keep up that energy level, also while losing by 20 points.

Carl Landry, Jamario Moon, Kevin Love, Ramon Sessions? Please.

The goaltend nickname thing makes no sense whatsoever.

EJ is manning up this year, and definitely deserves to be in the game. It's not like he's shooting 38% to get his points.

Is this a goal tend?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAl_Wf0bV8k

Or this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpXSCIiCS90

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/56933/20090131/dunleavy_gordon_is_among_best_rooks/

Sounds like a response from MD. Coach is speaking the truth.