Links of Interest: DJ’s HOF Worthiness, Video Goodness, All-D Teams, UCONN!!!!

Posted by Zach Lowe on Apr 7, 2010 73013 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2010%2F04%2F07%2Flinks-of-interest-dojs-hof-worthiness-video-goodness-all-d-teams-uconn%2FLinks+of+Interest%3A+DJ%27s+HOF+Worthiness%2C+Video+Goodness%2C+All-D+Teams%2C+UCONN%21%21%21%212010-04-07+15%3A09%3A14Zach+Lowehttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D7301

• You won’t read more polar opposite conclusions about Dennis Johnson’s qualifications than those contained in these pieces by Bob Ryan in the Globe and David Berri, of Wages of Wins fame, on his Web site.

Ryan, in a piece that deserves your full read, argues that stats cannot properly show DJ’s importance as a player:

But as is the case with any legitimately great player, his essence cannot be gleaned from a résumé. As much as any great player I can think of, it can truly be said that there was no one like him.

And Berri? In a piece that also deserves your time, he argues that statistics alone show DJ was, at best, a borderline Hall of Fame candidate. Berri’s Wins Produced system rates DJ as a below average player in each of seasons with the C’s.

One thing Berri brings up that we can all agree on: Artis Gilmore belongs in the Hall.

• John Hollinger names his 1st, 2nd and 3rd All-Defense teams using a combination of available metrics (i.e. plus/minus) and his considerable observational skills. Four of the five C’s starters get a mention, but only one makes any of Hollingers three teams. Guess which one?

• I’m a little late on this, but Celtics Town has a nice video breakdown of the Paul Pierce isolation play Doc called at the end of regulation Friday night against Houston. Celtics fans hate this play without thinking about it at this point, but CT does better and examines it in depth.

• Speaking of video, NBAPlaybook, which gives you top-notch video analysis every day, breaks down LeBron’s shot selection down the stretch against Boston on Sunday.

• CelticsBlog gets us thinking about the Heat as a possible first-round playoff opponent. The Heat have Dwyane Wade, but, as we wrote here, the C’s have handled Miami without much of a problem over the last two seasons.

• Finally, a hearty congratulations to the UConn Lady Huskies, who finished their second straight undefeated season last night with a hard fought (and sorta ugly) win in the title game against Stanford. That’s 78 straight wins, seven national titles and counting.