ESPN's Hollinger is a very intelligent guy!

[mabber]

Isn't this the same guy that said the Heat had zero chance vs. the Mavs in the finals?

[AFBlue]

Isn't this the same guy that said the Heat had zero chance vs. the Mavs in the finals?

Yeah I'm gonna need to see some proof of that.

Besides, he's not the only guy who thought the Mavs would beat the Heat, especially after games 1 and 2. As much as it pains me to say it, the Mavs were the better team in that series, but the whole team got outplayed by one player.

John Hollinger is a fair guy and he gave the Mavs a fair assessment as well. It's not like he called Dallas lucky to breath the same air as Spurs fans. He even called them "elite". He just said he'd bet on the Spurs when it came down to it.

[mabber]

Yeah I'm gonna need to see some proof of that.

Besides, he's not the only guy who thought the Mavs would beat the Heat, especially after games 1 and 2. As much as it pains me to say it, the Mavs were the better team in that series, but the whole team got outplayed by one player.

John Hollinger is a fair guy and he gave the Mavs a fair assessment as well. It's not like he called Dallas lucky to breath the same air as Spurs fans. He even called them "elite". He just said he'd bet on the Spurs when it came down to it.

I was just asking cuz I couldn't remember. I like Hollinger a lot. Mark Cuban said (in his blog) that Hollinger was a really good analyst.

I guess this whole thread is slightly humorous to me cuz fans just want to see their hopes & thoughts validated by someone else in writing. It makes them feel good. If he his report had been negative toward the Spurs then most everyone here would think he was an idiot-lol

I'm definitely the same way...I really like to see good things written about the Mavs on a national level and when I do I like the person who wrote it and when I read something negative I think the person is clueless for the most part-lol

[1Parker1]

Great article. I think the Spurs have also improved since last year. However, the real test will be in the playoffs. Problem is, Dallas also got stronger.

Thanks to the length of Duncan and Rasho Nesterovic inside and the quickness and grit of Bruce Bowen and the underrated Parker on the perimeter

Interesting that Hollinger thinks Parker is an underrated perimeter defender. The year before last, I would have whole heartedly agreed. However, I actually think Parker's defense slipped a lot last season, maybe because he was concentrating more on offense...

[AFBlue]

• Signed Francisco Elson, lost Sean Marks. Marks had no value other than as a clubhouse guy, but Elson was another cheap free-agent center who can play a little. I emphasize "a little" -- he's a third center type who helps defensively as long as he doesn't have to put a body on anyone. But you have to be impressed with a team that replaced two centers making a combined $12 million a year with two that make half as much, and not appear any worse for it.

I am worried about this part of the assessment from John Hollinger. I think he's more right about Elson than he is wrong, but the Spurs staff seems to be playing up his abilities and his expected contributions. Hollinger stated in a previous article that Elson did not perform well when given the extended time (Nene, Martin, Camby injuries) last year.

Don't get me wrong, I like Elson for what he brings that Nesterovic didnt and especially at half the price, but again I think the Spurs are higher on him than they should be.

Conversely, they seem to view Butler as a project and as a "minimal gain" in the short term, when Hollinger (and me personally) seem to think he could be very productive when given extended minutes, especially on offense.

Should we be concerned that the Spurs will make another decision to their detriment that considers age/experience over talent a la NVE/Beno?

[RC's Boss]

I am worried about this part of the assessment from John Hollinger. I think he's more right about Elson than he is wrong, but the Spurs staff seems to be playing up his abilities and his expected contributions. Hollinger stated in a previous article that Elson did not perform well when given the extended time (Nene, Martin, Camby injuries) last year.

Don't get me wrong, I like Elson for what he brings that Nesterovic didnt and especially at half the price, but again I think the Spurs are higher on him than they should be.

Conversely, they seem to view Butler as a project and as a "minimal gain" in the short term, when Hollinger (and me personally) seem to think he could be very productive when given extended minutes, especially on offense.

Should we be concerned that the Spurs will make another decision to their detriment that considers age/experience over talent a la NVE/Beno?

I don't think so. Its mainlt the writers that are calling Jackie a project. If I'm not mistaken, I've never heard Pop or R.C. say this. Plus who's a project when they play 4th quarters for an NBA team regardless of how pathetic the Knicks were last year.

[RC's Boss]

Great article. I think the Spurs have also improved since last year. However, the real test will be in the playoffs. Problem is, Dallas also got stronger.



Interesting that Hollinger thinks Parker is an underrated perimeter defender. The year before last, I would have whole heartedly agreed. However, I actually think Parker's defense slipped a lot last season, maybe because he was concentrating more on offense...

It's not like Parker is a lockdown perimeter d type player like Bowen, but his speed allows him to stay in front of his man and funnel him to the baseline. I think that's what he's referring to.

[AFBlue]

I don't think so. Its mainlt the writers that are calling Jackie a project. If I'm not mistaken, I've never heard Pop or R.C. say this. Plus who's a project when they play 4th quarters for an NBA team regardless of how pathetic the Knicks were last year.

Played 4th quarters on a disfunctional team (which the Spurs are not) that established a new record for starting rotations in a season.

I do really hope you're right though. I hope this is a media thing and that Pop realizes this kid is legit...if he is.

[z0sa]

It's not like Parker is a lockdown perimeter d type player like Bowen, but his speed allows him to stay in front of his man and funnel him to the baseline. I think that's what he's referring to.

I personally believe Parker is a much much underrated defender - I think his defense for example on Nash during the 05 playoffs was exceptional.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

But if I was a betting man, I'd say Butler will surprise the league and be a 15-20 minute key player for the Spurs this season.

I am a betting man so I will say THIS WILL BE THE CASE. He was beating out Curry for centre minutes at the end of last season, he's reaady to be at least the backup, and by the end of the year I think he'll be starting. C'mon Jackie-boy, don't lemme down!

[RC's Boss]

I am a betting man so I will say THIS WILL BE THE CASE. He was beating out Curry for centre minutes at the end of last season, he's reaady to be at least the backup, and by the end of the year I think he'll be starting. C'mon Jackie-boy, don't lemme down!

Ah that Spurs spirit!! Season is almost ready 2 start