Since the Miami Heat's acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo, it's been the popular move to fade the team's chances heading into this upcoming season. And many national writers have certainly taken advantage of that lane.
However, over the last few weeks, as the narrative surrounding the Heat has begun to change (and for the better), John Hollinger doubled down on doubting Miami's chances of having a meaningful season.
In fact, Hollinger didn't just fade the Heat. Or question their legitimacy. He flat-out counted them out completely before the season even began. In one of his latest pieces, Hollinger writes that he predicts the Heat will finish 9th in the Eastern Conference standings.
“I don’t think the rest of the roster beyond Giannis and Bam Adebayo is anywhere near good enough, and those easy wins in the East will be much harder to come by this season. Miami will need all of Giannis' brilliance and Erik Spoelstra's wizardry just to squeeze 40-something wins out of a limited supporting cast and drag the Heat into the playoffs."
John Hollinger is playing a dangerous game of betting against Erik Spoelstra
While he has the right to have his own opinion on the matter, his criticism of the Heat crosses the line in one very specific place: where he questions Spoelstra's ability to make the Giannis fit work.
It's understandable to question whether Giannis is still durable enough to remain healthy, or if the Heat have enough playmaking or shooting. However, to say that, even in a best-case scenario for both Giannis and Spoelstra, the Heat would limp their way to 40 wins is pretty indefensible.
Questioning Spoelstra is a dangerous game. Essentially, Hollinger is saying: "I don't know if the best coach in the NBA can make it work with one of the best players of this generation."
Mind you, this is also the same coach who was able to help lead two teams to the NBA Finals in the last six years, with significantly less talent. The same coach who consistently gets the best out of his teams.
But no, not when he has Giannis. This is the line that is drawn. This is when the magic is suddenly going to end for Spoelstra. OK.
I just don't buy it. Spoelstra has proven himself time and time again without superstar talent. Do you really think he's not going to be able to figure it out with a player as talented as Giannis? If that's not a slap in the face to Spoelstra and what he's built over the course of his career, I'm not sure what is.
Hollinger can get in line, though. There have been numerous basketball "experts" who have routinely tried to tear down what the Heat have built over the last few months. Hollinger just happens to be one of the loudest and most recent.
Like all of them, though, he'll end up being wrong, too.
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