I know you like being a stay-at-home Dad and all, but I fail to see what disqualifies you from having a gig like Hollinger’s.
Seriously. You write well, have insights, seem to have a decent work ethic, and you aren’t a horse’s ass.
Or is the last a deal-breaker?
I’m just wonderin’, because being wrong seems not to be a problem, at all. No recognition of error, no apologies, no learning.
Heck, you’d think they were politicians, or somethin’.

that’s what they are………

30 – 52…………..that’s his prediction Baron. Hollinger thinks you and your Clippers squad are going to go 30 -52………..

Hey Ricky " the Clippers don’t have any good wings " in a year you are playing for your last decent shot at a contract?!?

and I’m sure Camby won’t be motivated to prove his worth after being traded for NOTHING in return.

Anyone who rates the Clips below the Wolves have lost all credibility with me.

Hollinger has done well for himself by picking against the Clips, and he always manages to find new and interesting ways to do it. This time he has really pushed himself.

I read through all of his articles and analysis and it all sounds good, but it adds up to a massive case of skepticism, the idea that everything that can go wrong probably will, starting with a few significant injuries, and they’ll end up scraping together some parts and battling along.

He doesn’t consider Dunleavy’s responses to the fact that exact thing happened last years, and he has built up some insurance systems designed to prevent it. The Clips had no offensive firepower at all, and they went and got one of the most dynamic, winning PGs in the league, who simply doesn’t lose 50 games a season. They quickly replaced Brand with the extremely productive Camby—who should impress Hollinger with his stats—but it also gave them some extra money to add depth, starting with shooters. Add up the total # of 3 pt shots made on the team last year with the guys on the roster this year (although losing JWill hurts that total a bit). They have promising rookies. He might easily have said that the Clips got a gem when Thornton dropped to them last year, and the same thing might be true with getting Gordon at 7 and especially Jordan, a potential high lottery pick, in the 2nd round.

Except that he won’t acknowledge Thornton, as you point out. It’s amazing to see how the logic gets twisted this year. Last year he was a prime candidate to be a bust because he was too old. So he wasn’t a bust—can we start with that? Guess not. Just not a bust in any way shape or form, we would point out, and move on to say that he was first team all-rookie, put up some extraordinary numbers in the second half once he started getting big minutes, and had been around the league. How many other rookies had any 35+ point games again? We would add that he actually took over a couple of games and won them down the stretch. But we don’t hear about any of that.

No, instead we get the logic that, because he’s “old” (we would say mature, in his prime and also learning, and ready to contribute consistently), that his year-to-year growth won’t match other rookies. It doesn’t need to, because he’s already done it! Get back to us, John, when Thaddeus Young scores 39 points in a game. By the time that happens, believe, AT will have set the bar much higher.

Let’s not misinterpret or get ahead of ourselves: AT isn’t going to be an all-star anytime soon. But the timing has worked out very well for him. Yes, he’s mature, which is a big reason why the Clips didn’t want to overpay for Maggette, because AT is ready to slip into a full-time starter slot. It’s a fantastic opportunity. His growing pains will be on defense, but he’s going to get so many more opportunities on the offensive end than he did last year it won’t be close, partly just from getting starter’s minutes for a full season, partly from playing with a real PG in BDavis, partly from playing with the formidable Kaman-Camby backline. The goal is for him to develop consistency, and he’ll avoid the empty games. Other teams will have enough issues with BDavis, Kaman and his other teammates, including some of the new shooters, that they won’t be able to focus too much energy on AT—it’ll mostly be straight up. He needs to pass and move the ball around and find different types of opportunities, but his hunger to score, make plays and make shots is a rare gift, along with his size and athleticism. He’s one of many weapons on the 30+ win Clippers, and it should be interesting to see how Hollinger twists his logic as changes his tune next year. “Thornton established himself as a productive starter last year, but his 3pt %, rebounding totals and assists were still on the low side for an aging player making a bid for all-star consideration…”

I can’t wait to shove it back in Hollinger’s fat face…

Yes thornton is old for a sophmore but theres nothing wrong with it. Its better than going straight after high school (back in the day) or going after 1 year and getting picked near the end of the 1st round. Then he wouldve probably bounced around the league making minimum and regretting not going to college. Gerald Green anyone ? And plus, he actually graduated so he doesnt go broke after he retires (which i hear most nba players are broke 5 years after they retire) or go back to school at that age.

Even said all that by far he was the best pick at 14. rookie first team he was 4th in voting which means 10 players picked before him were worse. how can you factor in injuries though, that makes no sense. Unless were talking nene or mcgrady. Camby and Davis both played full seasons (well 79 for mc) which means i give them the beifit of the doubt. I seriously question your skills hollinger, 7 wins more ? so that means baron davis and marcus camby – corey maggette = 7 wins. honestly it could happen but i doubt it.