By the numbers Spurs 1:5 to win championship, 2nd in power rankings

[Rummpd]

I am not a statistician (but have had a year of advanced stats in an MPH degree) and after about 1/4th of the season Hollinger's numbers IMO begin to make sense as trends even out. Notice Spurs have the highest point differential in the league (Much higher than say the Mavs, albeit with a slightly easier, but not so much over the last 10 games or so) and are at least statistically on track to threaten to win 70 games +. IMO the Spurs will regress a little do to better competition but this is actually factored into his methods and it is plausible we are looking at a team that will not only threaten to get the top seed in the more competitive (more top tier teams and better top to bottom than the East with only 3-4 top teams) West but could gather the top seed in the league. Going into the season I predicted 55 +/- 2 (similar to Hollinger who used their point differential from last year and went with 53 and predicted 1st in the SE. However, I am am guessing 62-64 that could well put them into competition for the top seeds and based on metrics at least they should finish higher than the Mavs that everyone is annointing too early IMO as like last year for their record their point differential is not up to par. (Note based on their "poor differential for their record last year" - had predicted them 47 wins going in, similar to his discounting the Spurs with 48 a year ago and they will certainly do better than that, but don't count on them passing the Spurs for all the naysayers if the Spurs health among the big three is good the rest of the way)

http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/playoffodds

http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/powerrankings

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/trainingcamp09/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=SpursForecast0910

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/trainingcamp09/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=MavericksForecast0910

[Vito Corleone]

I'm looking forward to watching the Spurs pick and roll snaq all day long when we play the Celtics

[SpursDynasty85]

Shaq would get owned. That is why they would probably play Perkins or J O'neal instead of Shaq.

[SpursDynasty85]

*referring to if they met in the championship. Not sure if that is what you meant.

[PublicOption]

the celtics have oneal, oneal, perkins, davis and garnett. if we beat them there whole front office and coaching staff should be fired. I just don't know hoe they can have all those players. they must be way over the salary cap.

[greyforest]

dont forget hackashaq

[phxspurfan]

Shaq would get owned. That is why they would probably play Perkins or J O'neal instead of Shaq.

Unfortunately Perkins turns into Bill Russell when he plays us

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

dont forget hackashaq
This.

[Fireball]

Shaq would get owned. That is why they would probably play Perkins or J O'neal instead of Shaq.

but I noticed that Shaq moves his feets better than the past few years since he is with the Celtics ... its still not enough, but his play is big part of their current record, which is amazing regarding the number of injuries they have

[BlairForceDejuan]

Unfortunately Perkins turns into Bill Russell when he plays us

That's because he is a real big who gets to post up on the pretender big Matthew Jebediah Bonner. Let's not develop Splitter though. 3 point heaven!11

[Seventyniner]

but I noticed that Shaq moves his feets better than the past few years since he is with the Celtics ... its still not enough, but his play is big part of their current record, which is amazing regarding the number of injuries they have

That's because he cares again for the first time since 2006.