Hollinger's play off take

[breaker91]

I didn't read through it closely, but he doesn't give out predictions on a series by series basis. Nonetheless, he is predicting the Celtics to beat Utah in the finals in 6 games.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2 ... ons-080418

[killbuckner]

His picks by series:

Boston in 4, Detroit in 5, Orlando in 6 and Washington in 6 in the East, and the Lakers in 5, New Orleans in 7, Utah in 6 and Phoenix in 6 out West.

[Schad]

Before people slag him (as they always do), his predictions are entirely based upon his final Power Rankings.

[Duiz]

Utah Jazz along the Houston Rockets have been the best teams in the NBA since 2008 started. Their records, and their records against good teams prove it.

[JordansBulls]

I like this point regarding the Celtics.

This is one of the best teams of all time, and you might be surprised how easily they roll through the playoffs. I realize this is raining on the parade a bit since everybody is so jacked up about the competition in store this postseason, but I have to warn you there's a chance the Celtics are just going to flat-out destroy everybody.

Boston went 66-16, one of the best marks in league history, but even that mark sells the Celtics short. At 10.3 points per game, they had the scoring margin of a 70-win team. That scoring margin is better than all but three teams since the ABA-NBA merger, and those teams all had Michael Jordan. By contrast, last season the Spurs had a scoring margin of 7.8 ppg, and that was easily the best mark in the league.

Also people seem to forget how good they are on "D".

[Dtown84]

Before people slag him (as they always do), his predictions are entirely based upon his final Power Rankings.

Even without that, I'd take anything he says with a pound of salt. He's the expert that picked the Bulls to win the East.

[Serpo]

There were several experts who picked the Bulls ....

[ponder276]

I definitely agree that Utah are the biggest first round favorites in the west (though the Hornets and the Lakers aren't far off). Due to their first round advantage, and the fact that they also match up so well with the Hornets (if they happen to play them), I don't mind Utah as the pick coming out of the west, although I see them having a ton of trouble with the Lakers in the second round.
Boston coming out of the east is a no brainer, and I agree that they could pretty much just plow through everyone for the title, especially when you consider how beat up teams coming out of the west are going to be.

[Dtown84]

There were several experts who picked the Bulls ....

Damn your right, well more reason not to take any experts predictions seriously.

[MagicNolesFSU]

Id love to beat detroit in the second round but Id be pretty happy with a hard fought 7 game series. I think to many people are sleeping on the pistons vs the celtics. They are more that good enough to beat them, not saying its a lock by no means though.

[Iggyemu]

Well I'll say this. He picked the Rockets to finish with the best record in the West. Had Yao not gone down that probably would have happened. So he isn't totally off his rocker.

The problem with this prediction is that Utah has a big problem with the Lakers. The Jazz foul a lot. And Kobe gets all the calls because of who he is. Unless something drastically changes in the way the Jazz approach defense the Lakers will wipe the floor with them in round 2.

[conleyorbust]

Well I'll say this. He picked the Rockets to finish with the best record in the West. Had Yao not gone down that probably would have happened. So he isn't totally off his rocker.

The problem with this prediction is that Utah has a big problem with the Lakers. The Jazz foul a lot. And Kobe gets all the calls because of who he is. Unless something drastically changes in the way the Jazz approach defense the Lakers will wipe the floor with them in round 2.

I think his point is that the Jazz have been unbelievable on offense lately. Hypothetically they could let Kobe do his thing and just outdo the rest of the team.

[Kobay]

Predictions are partly a form of entertainment. Should not be taken seriously.

[eatyourchildren]

Before people slag him (as they always do), his predictions are entirely based upon his final Power Rankings.

Isn't that just another reason to slag him?

Most things he writes on ESPN are to offer artificial, compounding support for his own proprietary work.

[Rocky5000]

I believe the playoffs are easier to predict than the final nba standings before a single game has been played, so the Bulls thing is being a little blown out of proportion. There were also several moves made by teams like the lakers, as well as injuries to many teams, that couldn't have been foreseen.

[ilikecb4]

without bynum lakers have 0 chance of winning it all

Boston has the easiest road to the final


Atlanta, Wahsington/Clevledn, and then Detroit most likely


compared to Lakers who have to go through Denver, Utah, Phoneix/San Antonio

[KB20]

I don't take anything Hollinger says seriously. He's full of crap.

[dingclancy]

Hollinger does jack off with his PER

But seriously like every "expert" they have a way defending their numbers and still call themselves experts. Happens all the time.