What's up everyone.  We have a week of NBA action behind us and the college basketball season is just around the corner.  Let's get this thing going.  I will answer as many questions as possible.

It is absolutely not time to panic.  It is Nov. 3.  The Jazz are 1-2.  Not an ideal start by any means, but there are 79 more games to be played.  There is a lot of talent in Utah, as well as a Hall of Fame head coach. 

I don't see it happening.  Not because they don't have the ability, but I don't think they necessarily have the desire.  Home court advantage, I'm sure, is a team goal, but the wear and tear that chasing even 70 wins would put on the bodies of Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Rasheed Wallace wouldn't be worth it.  This team is trying to win a title.  Regular season accomplishments mean little to the Celtics.

I am big fan of Chris Kaman...  When he is healthy.  Without many proven, quality centers in the NBA as a whole, I could envision a scenario where Kaman is an All-Star.  I'm not betting on it, but it is a real possibility. 

This is a Magic team that is deep, versatile and talented.  I don't have a problem with playing it safe early on to, hopefully, be healthy late in the season.  Orlando is a very legitimate championship contender and I believe they are approaching the regular season as such.  Why risk anything in November that could jeopardize what you are doing in June.

As for Vince developing Kobe's mental toughness:  It won't happen.  The two guys are just wired differently.  That doesn't mean VC isn't a terrific player.  That doesn't mean Vince won't win a title.  It simply means that Kobe and VC are two different people. 

I don't.  New Orleans has some talent to build around.  David West is an All-Star.  Emeka Okafor is a solid center.  I really liked the drafting of Marcus Thornton.  He is going to be a nice role player.  Mo Pete and Peja Stojakovich represent $22M coming off the books after next season.  That leaves a ton of cap space in '11 (when several big names could be on the market) with a core of West, Paul and Okafor to build around.

Greg Oden doesn't need 10FGA.  He is a rebounder, shot-blocker and defender.  His offense will likely come, primarly, from drop-off and put-backs.  He is stiff and mechanical on the offensive end.  Let him do what he does best and chip in a bit on offense when he can.  The Blazers wouldn't be best served running their offense through Oden.

Gomes and two first round picks for Gay?  That sounds like a great deal for the T'Wolves.  I can't see Memphis going along with that, however.

They are young, but they aren't THAT athletic.  Who on that team is an elite "athlete."  KD is an elite scorer, but he isn't super athletic.  I'll give you Russell Westbrook.  They don't have a great ball distributor like JKidd or Steve Nash.  I think they should look to push tempo when the time is right, but I don't think they are necessarily a "running team."

Battier is super smart, works his tail off and stays in the shorts of the man he is defending.  Artest is a bit more rugged.  He plays a really physical brand of defense.  Marion is the best of the three defensive players off the ball.  He does a great job of playing passing lanes and blocking shots on the weak side.  Marion is the best athlete of the three. 

This is a Cleveland team that made a lot of changes this offseason.  They are trying to incorporate Shaq, Moon and Parker into the rotation of a team that won 66 games last season.  It might take a few minutes to get things working the way they want to.  Delonte West back and playing will really help this squad.  Give the Cavs some time.

Wow.  That is a tough one.  I love the skill set of Greg Monroe.  I have been comparing his skills to those of KG, but he doesn't always play with the intensity necessary to dominate every night.  I like Monroe's upside a bit more, but because I think Ed Davis will reach his full potential, I'll take him.

Like I said a few questions ago, it will take this team some time to come together.  I think this is by far the deepest and most talented team surrounding LBJ in his short career.  They still have some issues but, in terms of overall talent, I don't think LeBron's supporting cast has ever been so good. 

It is pretty tough to put anyone ahead of the Celtics or Magic considering how good they have looked early on, but the Lakers started the season at number one.  They did lose to the Mavs, but that is a pretty good Dallas team.  I can see how the Lakers stayed where the were, but another loss this week will likely result in being jumped by Orlando, Boston, or both, in the next power ranking.

Rick Adelman is probably the most underrated coach in the NBA.  This Houston team plays so hard and with so much heart.  You almost have to root for them.  I don't see all that effort overcoming this team's overall lack of size and talent over the course of an 82-game schedule.  For this team to compete for a playoff spot, T-Mac will have to play, and play well, the majority of the season.

I think they will have to.  Remeber when Chris Webber was traded to the Kings?  He made it seem like Sacramento was hell on earth.  That seemed to work out pretty well for the Kings and Webber.  Sacramento isn't exactly Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago or New York, but those fans go crazy at ARCO when they have something to cheer about.  With some really nice young pieces there, an all-star caliber addition would make this an up and coming Kings squad.

Kaman and Bynum have to be serious considerations after their starts to the season.  Nene is having a career year.  Don't leave Emeka Okafor out of this converstation.  I think he'll be on the squad.

Boy, Eric, I don't know what is happening up there.  It is early, but I expected a stronger start from a team that I have been predicting to make the playoffs this year.  Jim O'Brien is a strict disciplinarian.  That style of coaching can wear on a team.  It is too early to hit the panic button, however.  There is talent there.  Give them some time to get in a groove.

I'm indifferent.  They are super deep and talented.  As long as they approach each and every game in a business-like manner, they are going to win a ton a games.  I think sometimes we, in the media, overplay things like "underdog roles" and all that.  Orlando knows they can play with any team in the league.  The "perception" of them means very little after tip-off. 

I don't know what the heck it is, other than a shame.  Allen Iverson was one of my favorite players for a long, long time.  He and KG just play the game with so much passion that it was impossible for me to not love watching them play the game and pull for them.  Iverson has tarnished that a bit with his selfish act of late.  Do what got you there.   Play your heart out when you are on the court.  If you play well, minutes will come your way and your role will expand.

The Spurs are as good as any team in the NBA.  There is no doubt about it.  Manu appears to be back to his old self.  TD is still amazing.  Parker is one of my favorite players to watch.  DeJuan Blair was, without a doubt, the steal of the 2009 NBA Draft.  This team will be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs.

It is going to be a long year for you, Lionel.  God bless.

No doubt about it.  If you had seen Marc Gasol play before the Lakers tabbed him in the second round of the 2007 NBA Draft, you knew the kid could play.  The trade wasn't as one-sided as it once looked.

AD certainly isn't the same player that he once but he could help a team for a few quality minutes here and there.  He was playing pretty well in Washington before the move to New Orleans.  He can handle the ball and set up his teammates for scoring opportunities.  If he is starting for you, you're in trouble.  But he is a solid role player.

It sure would be nice if Hasheem Thabeet could give this team some quality minutes and provide a shot blocking presence, wouldn't it?  Gasol is a nice player, but he isn't a shot-blocker.  I don't think moving Rudy Gay is a good move for this team long term.  How could we not expect chemistry to be an issue in Memphis?  Iverson and Zach Randolph aren't known for being tremendous locker-room guys.  Really talented players, but not exactly model citizens.  This team is in for a long year, but I think trading away a talent like Rudy Gay would be a big mistake.

I thought Redick started to come on last season and I am not surprised to see him knocking down shots this year.  As his confidence grows, watch out.  He is a defensive liability, but his ability to spread the floor with his shooting ability will really help this team. 

I neglected to mention Al Jefferson earlier in the chat when asked about centers in the west.  Jefferson hasn't been himself yet early in the season, but he is playing fewer minutes as he works himself back from injuries (a surgically repaired knee and an ailing achilles).  Jefferson will certainly be in the mix for an all-star berth.

Of the guys you listed, I think Bynum has the most potential.  Kaman is playing really well early on.  I would put them just ahead of Big Al until he gets his feet under him.  Nene is having a career year so far.  His physical defense gets overlooked a bit.  Oden is struggling offensively right now, but he has rebounded and blocked shots well early on. 

At this point in his career, I think Duncan is a center.  Mostly because of the guys around him.  Bonner and McDyess are clearly not traditional centers.  Duncan's size and the Spurs overall lack of height in the front court basically make TD a center.  Amar'e is a more traditional power forward.  He runs the floor and is super athletic. 

Last one for me guys.  Thanks for stopping by.

You are looking good, Drew.  An All-Star appearance isn't out of the question by any means.  There are some quality bigs out West, however.  Emeka Okafor, Chris Kaman, Al Jefferson and Tim Duncan aren't exactly chopped liver.  Nene is starting to tap into his enormous potential as well.  Let's not court our eggs before they have hatched.  You are off to a great start, but the NBA season is long and it is Nov. 3. 

I have to get going everyone.  Thanks again for stopping by.  If I didn't get to your question, feel free to email me at lbyrnes@hoopsworld.com.  I'll talk to you all again next week.  Be sure to check out Eric Pincus' chat later today right here at HOOPSWORLD.