Homecourt Advantage Overrated?
by Vegas Scott on Mar 12, 2009 4:17 PM EDT
Email
PrintWith the emergence of John Hollinger's article today (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=PERDiem-090312), and all the talk this season about homecourt advantage, it got me thinking, is it really as important as everyone is making it sound? Last year seems to have imprinted in every basketball fan's mind that homecourt is an absolute necessity. The Celtics appeared to get out of the first two rounds because of it, and the rest was history. So the question is, was this just a fluke or is homecourt really that important to win a title?
Well last year the Celtics became just the 3rd top seeded team to win a title in the last 9 years (joining the Spurs in '03 and the Lakers in '00). In fact, during the Lakers three peat, they were the top seed just once. Before the Celtics championship run last year, we were in the midst of 4 consecutive years without crowning a top seed. I'm pretty sure this is evidence enough to prove that although getting the top seed is certainly an advantage, the best TEAM typically wins regardless. Think about that for a second, the Lakers and Spurs, the two most dominant teams of the last decade, won a total of 6 championships in the last 9 years and only had the top seed a total of 2 times.
I thought this was interesting considering that a vast amount of blog space has been utilized to debate whether Doc should be limiting Pierce and Ray's minutes, along with being patient with Rondo and Garnett's injuries, as opposed to making a harder push at the top seed. Looks like history tells us that Doc is making the correct decision. If you're going to follow the footsteps of any coach in this league, Pop and Phil seem like a pretty good start.
Be respectful and keep it clean. Thanks.
35 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
My opinion about the importance of HCA hasn't changed a bit because of last season
These daily attempts to rationalize the fact that we’re probably not getting HCA are getting old. Of course that the team with the best record won’t win every time – that’s why they play the playoffs. More: W/L record is not even the better predictor of playoff success, adjusted scoring margin is. However, that doesn’t diminish HCA impact. The reason why the teams with the best record don’t win every year is because there’s only 1 team with the best record per season and 15 that don’t have the best record. Ceteris paribus, it’s better to have HCA, it’s better to have a higher seed. How many times have teams won the NBA title after playing 3 consecutive series without HCA? That would probably give you a better measurement of the importance of the HCA.
I don’t understand the last paragraph. Isn’t the point people have been making precisely that Doc is overplaying Pierce and Allen in a futile attempt to fight for an unnecessary HCA? What’s your point? That Doc is intentionality letting HCA go away in order to win a title without being the 1st seed, like Jackson and Popovich?
+1
It’s becoming reminiscent of the daily “Free POB” thread as people tried to will the big stiff into a useful NBA player – and we all know how that worked out.
While I agree that the health of this team – and whether Marbury and Moore can grow into a contributing role off the bench – are bigger factors, the thought of no HCA last year is chilling.
And it’s also chillng this year.
You are correct...
I don’t understand the last paragraph. Isn’t the point people have been making precisely that Doc is overplaying Pierce and Allen in a futile attempt to fight for an unnecessary HCA? What’s your point? That Doc is intentionality letting HCA go away in order to win a title without being the 1st seed, like Jackson and Popovich?
I guess Doc is walking a fine line with this strategy. They have been very patient with Garnett but have used Pierce and Allen a lot recently. Once they are healthy this will of course change though. I guess I was going more on what Doc has been saying and what I believe his overall focus is, and that is to get healthy. So the mention of the minutes was indeed a bad example.
SCOTT
LOL!
1) The only reason you guys beat the Lakers last year was because you had home court advantage! LOL.. Yes it’s important!
2) You are only saying it’s “overrated” now because you probably won’t get it! LOL again!
You're right
We could have never beaten the Lakers on their home court…oh wait.
Ah, Lakers fans. So much to say but so little education. As long as your team is plagued with foreign players I will never respect you.
what the..
what the hell’s this guy doing here?! 39 points, zenmaster2! 39 points! now why don’t you go home and cry on your bed.
17plus17is34
by 17plus17is34 on Mar 15, 2009 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Which is one more than the Lakers won in Boston...
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
Exactly Hobbs...
Hey your signature has given me a good idea. The Laker fans seem a bit hostile these days, maybe our boy Pitino should go give them a pep talk. Magic Johnson is not walking through that door!
SCOTT
And it was a lucky shot by Posey to help you win it..If that shot didn’t go it, the Lakers had a chance to win in that series.. Now imagine if there are 4 games at Staples..Benches tend to play better at home and suck on the road..That is why it was so important for you guys last year..4 games in bean town is great for the bench players..
Yes, home court is important.. Especially for an older, aging team like the Celtics.
Except they only needed 3 in Beantown last year
Homecourt is lost as soon as the road team wins 1 game. The C’s only had to play 3 at home against the Lakers, which they won, because they got a 4th win on the road. Without homecourt, if you win 1 on the road, and 3 at home, you win the series. Not as important with this year’s C’s team who has been there. Last year’s maiden voyage needed the crutch of home more, but even in the Detroit series they lost homecourt advantage in Game 2. Only in the 1st 2 rounds was it critical. I don’t think that will be the same in the 1st 2 rounds this year.
Lucky shot by Posey huh what? I understand as a Lakers fan you’ve probably repressed the memories of games 4 but I’m pretty sure it was the Lakers standing around watching Ray Allen get an offensive rebound and two layups in crunch time that mainly did them in.
And seeing as how they came up short on all 3 attempts to tie the series I can’t really see they could have won it.
a wide open set 3 is a lucky shot?
by TheAncientRivalry on Mar 13, 2009 8:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Also, if that shot doesnt go in, how do the lakers win that series?
1 shot to put the celtics up 5, would’ve made the lakers win 2 more games? you make no sense
by TheAncientRivalry on Mar 13, 2009 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Its similar to saying, well if Kobe doesnt make those shots in game 3 and 5, celtics wouldve swept the lakers…who do you like that spin?
by TheAncientRivalry on Mar 13, 2009 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions
right
You are probably right! All I know is that one posey shot was a true momentum changer. It really sucked the life out of the Lakers. I point to that one shot, as the key to that game..Everything else was secondary..
IF.....
IF the refs would have saw that the ball went out of bounds off of Kareem. IF Magic wouldn’t have thrown in that LUCKY SHOT over Parish & McHale. IF Bird would have hit that off balance three at the buzzer. IF the Blazers don’t have a 4th quarter melt down in 2000 WCF game 7. IF Horry doesn’t hit that LUCKY SHOT in game 4 to tie the 2002 WCF series 2-2. IF the 2002 WCF game 6 fourth quarter was called fairly. IF. IF. IF….. Besides when you have a 24 pt. lead on your home floor there shouldn’t even be the excuse of LUCKY SHOTS!!!
by Las Vegas Asian on Mar 13, 2009 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions
+1
"The voice of the intellect is a soft one, but it does not rest until it has gained a hearing"
by Jeff_Fuller_49 on Mar 13, 2009 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Dude!
If that shot didn’t go it, the Lakers had a chance to win in that series..
I’ll say it again, dude! I’m trying to stay calm, but you Lakers fans, you make it so hard. The word “if” does not have a place in sports my friend. That shot did go in and we beat you. End of story, I wish you the best of luck this year.
Yes, home court is important.. Especially for an older, aging team like the Celtics.
I only wish we had some young bucks like a Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, Leon Powe, Glen Davis or even a Bill Walker to go along with our paraplegic and senile cast of washed up bums known as the “Big 3.” And if only our aging players could manage to stay as healthy as that young buck Andrew Bynum who seems to be your supposed “x factor.” He’s about as likely to stay in the lineup as Greg Oden. Good luck man, you’re gonna need it.
SCOTT
About Bynum...
What’s amazing about Bynum is that both times he has been hurt, it was because of freakish accidents by his own players..Odom caused last years injury and Kobe landed on knee to cause this year’s injury.
Both injuries were freak accidents and not genetics. To put his injuries in the same light as Greg Oden is inaccurate.. Bynum is not an x-factor..But it does seriously change how Boston has to guard the Lakers..So I guess you can say, Boston better rest up.
You’re right..Home court means nothing.. Rest away!
Why doesn't his teammates like him?
Between injuring him and saying terrible things about him on video tape.
+1, too.
"The voice of the intellect is a soft one, but it does not rest until it has gained a hearing"
by Jeff_Fuller_49 on Mar 13, 2009 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Last year all these people were picking the pistons to beat us on our homecourt, they saw our run to the championship, which heavily relied on HCA, so now every last person thinks you need homecourt. its annoying, they cant just realize each year and playoff run will be something tottally different
by TheAncientRivalry on Mar 13, 2009 8:28 AM EDT reply actions
HCA in finals
Since the finals is in a 2-3-2 format, I think for psychological reasons, it’s more important. The ECF with Detroit were not in this format.
2-3-2..
It’s ok though..If the Celtics are to really prove they are the best team, they need to show they can win it whether they have home court or not.
4 winsproves who the best team is
..wherever or however it’s done, z2.
...there's some folks that, if they don't know, you can't tell 'em.
Moses Malone's
“Fo, Fo, Fo!”
"The voice of the intellect is a soft one, but it does not rest until it has gained a hearing"
by Jeff_Fuller_49 on Mar 13, 2009 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Homecourt advantage is important
Home court advantage is important for the Celtics.
But it is not a prerequisite for the Celtics to repeat as champion because they are capable of winning on the road. The Celtics won the Eastern Conference in Detroit. And the Celtics almost won the finals in Game 5 in LA. Well, the Celtics almost won game 5 for the go ahead jumper of Pierce which he intentionally let Kobe tap and steal the ball from him behind. To make it dramatic, the Celtics wanted the championship back to Boston for the fans, and specially a tribute to Red Auerbach.
They said the Celtics will not win in Cleveland if they meet in ECF, and Celtics is finished if they don’t have homecourt advantage against the Cavs.
Same old story with Detroit last year, they said the Celtics will not win against Pistons.
It will be better for Celtics to repeat as champ on the road this season.
REmember, the Celtics won 4 road championship in successcions, 1969-Russell in LA, 1974-Cowens in Milwaukee, 1976-Cowens in Phoenix, and 1981-Bird in Houston.
by Jungle Jim Loscutoff on Mar 16, 2009 6:59 AM EDT reply actions
Scott--
Thanks for your insightful commentary earlier about Pierce and the contested 20-footer.
Again, I do hope you’re right about opponent’s odds of shutting him and that shot down late in the game.
Anyway, here is my Celts blog that I started. I was writing for a previous blog, but decided to start my own solely dedicated to following the Celts.
If you are ever interested in writing for it, please let me know. Guest post?
http://loscy.wordpress.com/
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Video: Will Ferrell introduces the Hornets
- Video: Kevin Durant is rapping for real
- Jeremy Lin starts for the Knicks, lives in his brother’s living room, ‘has his own couch’
- Larry Bird would like to team with Kobe for the win, LeBron for the fun
- Will Ferrell will run the player intros at Wednesday’s Bulls/Hornets game
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
