Why people dislike Hollinger. Wade, greatest Finals performer ever.

[wdleehi]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2008/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=FinalsPerformances-1



All based on his little Per stat. 

[BrickJames]

The NBA: Where D-Whistle happens. 

[BrickJames]

And it's not even a strict PER ordering either...what the?


JOHNSON'S STATS (
Points per game: 26.2
Boards per game: 8.0
Assists per game: 13.0
PER: 28.2

or

BIRD'S STATS (29?!)
Points per game: 24.0
Boards per game: 9.7
Assists per game: 9.5
PER: 22.4

vs

WHISTLE'S STATS
Points per game: 34.7
Boards per game: 7.8
Steals per game: 2.7
PER: 33.8



pa-lease

[Big Ticket]

I think there is one key minor word change you need that makes it much more palpable...

He said "Greatest Finals PerformANCE".  Different than "Greatest Finals PerformER".  Huge different in Wade's case, as he's been to 1 finals.  But his near 35 point, 8 rebound, 4 assist average in that series is obviously great.

Not sure it really surpasses Shaq in 2000, 2001, 2002; Jordan in 1991, 1992, 1993; Duncan in 2003; Kareem in 1980; Hakeem in 1995; Bird in 1986... well, you get the idea.   

[ManUp]

I think the Ref's won that series for the heat.

I watched the series and was rooting for the heat, but there were a lot of ghost fouls in some pivotal moments. In my opinion the Mavs were clearly the better team. Wade is good, but not as good as he's being touted to be.

He was far funner to watch before Shaq came to the team. Back then he couldn't take 4 steps on every drive, and he played legit b-ball.

[celticmaestro]

i wasn't surprised that dwyane wade was in there, i'd have that performance in the top 10 probably. but i was absolutely SHOCKED that larry bird wasn't in the top 10 (not even top 20!).

at least this isn't exactly hollinger's opinion, it's his stats (per) take on things which isn't always accurate - clearly, as his stats (per) said utah would waltz through the west.

[fairweatherfan]

Wade got ridiculous benefit of the doubt for the last 4 games of that series, but I've never seen a player carry his team like that for so long in so many consecutive games in the Finals - Jordan and many others were better players but had better help - remember, Shaq scored in single digits in most of the Heat's Ws - the wins were basically entirely based on Wade's performance.

He almost certainly wouldn't've done nearly as well without the dubious officiating, but on strictly numbers alone, with no subjective analysis allowed, I agree with Hollinger. 

[celticmaestro]

Wade got ridiculous benefit of the doubt for the last 4 games of that series, but I've never seen a player carry his team like that for so long in so many consecutive games in the Finals - Jordan and many others were better players but had better help - remember, Shaq scored in single digits in most of the Heat's Ws - the wins were basically entirely based on Wade's performance.

He almost certainly wouldn't've done nearly as well without the dubious officiating, but on strictly numbers alone, with no subjective analysis allowed, I agree with Hollinger. 

it kinda begs the question, kobe or wade?

we'll see after these finals.

[drza44]

PER is a bit of a flawed APBR-metric stat anyway because it only tangentially touches on defense, but even so I can't really be mad at the premise of this column.  No stat can reflect potential referee bias, so if one is trying to write an objective column without correcting for things like "bad calls" and "nostalgia", one could make a strong case for Wade being one of the better performances in NBA history.  Just think about it...

*Led team back to the title after being down 0-2 and a big fourth quarter deficit in game 3.

*Ridiculous stat line.

*Outdueled a player that was (at that time) getting into the argument for best player in the league.

He should have known (and probably did know) that this article wouldn't be especially well received, but I can see why he'd write it.

[Bankshot]

That's because the refs ignored every travel and carry by Wade.  He wouldn't score 15 ppg if they called all the illegal moves he does.

[BballTim]

That's because the refs ignored every travel and carry by Wade.  He wouldn't score 15 ppg if they called all the illegal moves he does.

  At least he'd still be in the game. Jordan would never have made it to halftime if the refs called offensive fouls for his patented push off with the shoulder jump shot. Ainge probably still has bruises on his chest from guarding MJ in the finals.

[Hoops]

I think there is one key minor word change you need that makes it much more palpable...

He said "Greatest Finals PerformANCE".  Different than "Greatest Finals PerformER".  Huge different in Wade's case, as he's been to 1 finals.  But his near 35 point, 8 rebound, 4 assist average in that series is obviously great.

Not sure it really surpasses Shaq in 2000, 2001, 2002; Jordan in 1991, 1992, 1993; Duncan in 2003; Kareem in 1980; Hakeem in 1995; Bird in 1986... well, you get the idea.   

I was going to make this exact point - until I read your post. Naturally, I think it's a great point.

[Schupac]

His PER stat is the square hole he jams every circle in sports into.

[Steve Weinman]

His PER stat is the square hole he jams every circle in sports into.

Kaboom, TP.

-sw

[crownsy]

That's because the refs ignored every travel and carry by Wade.  He wouldn't score 15 ppg if they called all the illegal moves he does.

bank shot are you implying that the little hesitation move he does where he turns the ball stright up might be a carry?