Normally I think media coverage of un-pc speech by celebrities is terrible -- but this discussion on ESPN's "1st & 10" is very well done: http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=5765301

I agree with pretty much everything they all say -- even that goof Hollinger who I usually can't stand. In fact, his suggestion that older players in the NBA will think Villanueva is "cancerous" to the league for tweeting about on-court trash talk might hve just changed my opinion about him.

like many others i find Hollinger kind of annoying. sometimes i even think im rooting for him to be wrong with his predictions--just because he so clearly wants to make everything fit in his equations.

BUT NOT THIS TIME!:     http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2010/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=PERDiem-100616

since i think im not supposed to post ESPN Insider text, ill paraphrase:

-Because Bynum is all but done for the year (took himself out of Game 6 after 16 unproductive minutes) Perkins best skill--shutting down a hefty big--isnt needed.  

-Rasheed covers Pau more effectively--and also spaces the floor more with his shot.

-Baby also spaces the floor more.

-KG will play more--there's no reason to rest him in a Game 7--which is an offensive improvement

-There is now the temptation to "go small" with a lineup in which Tony Allen (who truly slows down Kobe) playing alongside KG, Paul, Ray and Rondo--our best 4 offensive players. 

It makes me nervious to hope he's right here--but one thing ill definitely agree with is that if Rasheed, Baby and KG can stay out of foul trouble in the first half--we have a good shot in the second.

-mb