JOHN HOLLINGER - Reader comments at The New York Sun

75F

Hi 78F
Lo 68F

Recent Blog Posts

Reader comment on:
Without Question, LeBron Is League's Best Player

Submitted by wondahbap, Mar 7, 2008 17:14

Funny how John Hollinger doesn't mention Kobe's 52 pt, 10 reb, and 4 assist game against a good Dallas team. He raves on and on about LBJ, giving his one sided stats, and his self serving P.E.R. stats, but fails to objective in his "analysis." It's a trend in his articles. I've called him out on this many times. He cannot give a valid explanation, without his bogus P.E.R., of how LBJ's 2007-08 is that much different than KB24's 2005-06. LeBron should be a candidate. But let's be fair. What's good for one player, should be good for another. Off court "likability" has nothing to do with on-court performance. Kobe has his Lakers playing to the best record in the much better West (agreed by most), and had them at the elite level BEFORE Pau. Those facts alone won Nash, and Nowitzki MVP's, but now it's different because LeBron is leading the. League in scoring? Notice how Hollinger points that fact out now, but gave no creedence to Kobe lighting the League up for the past 2 years? He actually said in a chat that Kobe wasn;' having as good a 07-08 as he had in 05-06. Be objective John. Go on about assist and rebounds. Kobe is avering 28.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.95 steals, .464 FG%, 88 FT%, and 3.43 turnovers per game. LeBron's? 30.8pts , 8.0 rebs, 7.4 assts, 1.98 steals, .487 FG%, 71 FT%, and 3.39 turnovers per game. No doubt LBJ is having an MVP type year. I'll give him that. He would deserve it any other year. But his numbers are barely better than Kobe's, and Kobe's team is MUCH better. Factor in the defensive edge Kobe has, and it's not close this year. The role players around them have been used as an excuse. Please keep in mind, that these same Laker teammates of Kobe's were predicted to go 7th, 8th or 9th in each of the past 3 years (this years included) by most pundits. Except for Pau Gasol, not one has made an All-Star team, and Pau made it playing for the Grizzlies a few seasons ago. Infact only 4 other teammates were even in the League when Pau was in that All-Star game. Yes, LBJ led his team to the Finals. He is amazing, but that was last year, and although I expect them to finish the Celtics and the Pistons this year, and for the Lakers to make the Finals, we are talking about the 2007-2008 regular season, and Kobe is clearly the MVP.

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.

Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
Analogously, are you guys saying that Shaq's 2000 compaign wasn't as good as the stats reflected? That's crap. Lebron is... [MORE]	Boya	Mar 9, 2008 03:51
I cant believe how quickly everyone has bumped Lebron to MVP after his 50 point performance against the Knicks. It... [MORE]	april	Mar 8, 2008 20:15
You make a great case that LeBron's statistics are more impressive than the "second place candidate" Kobe. So, then, you... [MORE]	Jeff Seltzer	Mar 8, 2008 10:26
Wake up. All of you. LeBron is having a great statistical season, especially offensively. But so did Kobe, for two... [MORE]	Eshan	Mar 8, 2008 00:04
Kobe Bryant deserves the MVP this year. He's only played through injury, carried his team with unreal scoring binges late... [MORE]	Sam	Mar 7, 2008 19:22
GM survey (Oct. 2007) Which player best defends the passing lanes in the NBA? Kobe 2nd Who is the best... [MORE]	Mike	Mar 7, 2008 18:18
Funny how John Hollinger doesn't mention Kobe's 52 pt, 10 reb, and 4 assist game against a good Dallas team....	wondahbap	Mar 7, 2008 17:14
Hmm.. i wonder how well kobe would play in the d-league. Lebrons numbers are barely better than kobes, he doesnt... [MORE]	Manu	Mar 7, 2008 16:45
This Hollinger guy bases all his bias on stats. If LeBron deserves the MVP for simply having the best statistical... [MORE]	Albert	Mar 7, 2008 15:09
You're going to bring the Kobe Cult out with this article. As far as the single game performance goes: Kobe had... [MORE]	Kobe Cult	Mar 7, 2008 14:04
How about you factor is LeBron's stats while he was injured into your stupid number cruncher and what happens? Plug... [MORE]	Daniel	Mar 7, 2008 14:00
What happened when Kobe single handedly erased a 18 point 3rd quarted defecit and score 81 point? Ballhog, or when he... [MORE]	Gilly	Mar 7, 2008 12:58
Even thought there is a Defensive Player of the Year award, I think defense should also be factored into the... [MORE]	greenpaz	Mar 7, 2008 12:38
I hate it when you guys change the rules every time. Make up your mind! When Kobe was putting up... [MORE]	Daniel Delgado	Mar 7, 2008 12:04
Posted by: xyz \| March 05, 2008 at 01:42 PM Holliinger's PER ratings, which are pretty much rubbish, lead him... [MORE]	Mike Farrell	Mar 7, 2008 10:54
All you ever do is write about Kobe, seems like he's your meal ticket. Your stats are garbage to anyone... [MORE]	Sam Mitchell	Mar 7, 2008 03:54
Think about what the definition of Most Valuable Player is. It's the player who contributes the MOST to his team's... [MORE]	Al	Mar 7, 2008 16:49
"But take away LBJ and his team is pure garbage" - That is the same exact argument Laker Fans Argued... [MORE]	Easy	Mar 7, 2008 19:03
I'm thinking that Hollinger must have had his head stuck in the sand when Kobe willed the Laker's to win... [MORE]	kaine	Mar 8, 2008 11:19