HOOPSWORLD editor Preetom Bhattacharya will take his best shot at answering your NBA questions, whether its trades, roster moves or the countdown to training camp. Pree will get started at 2pm EST on Saturday the 13th
Paul_Rockets in Houston TX: Tell me your not buying into the Rockets hype... this team is still a MASH unit.
Preetom Bhattacharya: ------ Hope everyone out there is enjoying a great weekend. Let's get this chat krackin' -----
I don't know if you can really call it "hype" when the team is clearly better on paper than they were last year. I mean .. they got Artest for a PG they're not going to really need and a rookie that wasn't going to get all that much playing time. The pick for next season is a steep price to pay, but in Artest, you're getting an elite defender and a third option on offense. When you combine him AND Battier on defense .. holy hell, it's going to be tough to score on the Rockets. Now, that's what the paper says .. obviously injuries are a concern for Yao, T-Mac, and to an extent Artest as well. But if they're healthy, there's no doubt the Rockets are one of the top teams in the West right up with the Lakers, Spurs, and Hornets. T-Mac should be motivated to play through the silly injuries that had sidelined him in the past, so I don't know if it's going to be as bad as it was in the past. They're still going to need some big man depth, though, and I do have to wonder how much Barry has left in the tank.
Jon H. in Oakland, CA: Is Monta Ellis really a point guard? People are making a lot of this injury, but isn't it really forcing Mullin to face a reality he would have had to face anyway?
Preetom Bhattacharya: I'll quote Nellie with my answer on this one .. "If he wants to be a great player, he's going to have to be a point guard." Nellie clearly believes that Monta's size is going to make him a point guard in this league whether he likes it or not. So, in that respect, yes - he is indeed a piont guard. Now if your question is whether he'll find success as a point guard, the answer is going to be how you determine his success. Ellis is never going to be a pass-first PG; he's a combo guard and his game is built around his offensive arsenal as a scorer. Unfortunately Monta's injury stunts any growth or development he may have had as a point guard, but i do believe that he has the vision and instincts to find teammates when he needs to, but it's going to take work. Ellis has always used the summers to become a better player; this summer won't be one of those situations. He has the handles and ability to be a middle-class man's Allen Iverson. I think Mullin was pretty committed to seeing Monta at the point - it isn't like he was going to bring the ball up every time the Warriors come up or anything like that. He was just going to defend the opposing point guard and the rare occasions of a half-court offense would go through Monta or Stephen Jackson. If anything, the injury is going to force Marcus Williams into the limelight while putting equal pressure on CJ Watson to see if he's really an NBA player.
Marc L. in Point Reyes, CA: How do you see Morrow's game translating to the NBA? 3pt% was off the map for the entire summer league. Senior year FG/3PT 45%, FT 85%. Does he have the handle&defense to get minutes or just be a limited minute instant offense off the bench?
Preetom Bhattacharya: Morrow definitely was a great shooter out in the ACC playing for Georgia Tech and has done a great job working on his game to extend his college range to NBA range. His mechanics are great and he's able to pull up when he needs to off the dribble, which might be all the Warriors ask him to do. From what I saw in Morrow when he played for the HEAT in Orlando Summer League then for the Warriors in Salt Lake City, I see a defender that will work hard but may not see many results and I see a guy that has less-than-average ball-handling skills. I don't know if the defense will hold him back with the Warriors, but he's got to improve the ball-handling enough to get the coaching staff's confidence out there. Everyone needs to do a little bit of everything in the Warriors' offensive scheme, but because Morrow showed he can find space and knock down shots, he's a candidate for Nellie to use offensively on occasion. Still, don't expect too-too much even though he's an absolutely fantastic shooter.
Marc L. in Point Reyes, CA: It seems that the GS coach and 'system' does not give the Warriors big men the same opportunity to develop skills as other C/PFs (ie Bynum). Why don't the Warriors bring in a top-notch big man coach?
Preetom Bhattacharya: Don Nelson uses a system that is based upon spacing, which is why he loves his swingmen so much (they can use the space to shoot, penetrate, set up others, etc.). The role of the one big man on the floor is to anchor the middle of the offensive half, near the middle of the paint, so that he can be used as a vertex for specific passing angles and occasionally crash the rim for easy put-ins off a pick-and-roll or grab offensive boards. Nellie doesn't send the ball into the post in the traditional half-court way very often, hence no need for a real traditional big man.
61ixty in San Franciso, California: Does DeMarcus have a shot at making the team ?
Preetom Bhattacharya: With Monta out, it's a possibility, but Nelson is almost exclusively a 2 because his ball-handling is not enough to play the 1. Not even close. His defense is so fantastic - he knows how to use his length and strength - and his spot-up shooting is pretty good. But he can't create much for himself. I think if you give him a few years in Europe or something like that, he's going to be in the NBA in some capacity. Right now, though, I don't think he's ready.
Glen in Tulsa, Oklahoma: What are your thoughts on the Thunder and if they'll be successful this year?
Preetom Bhattacharya: Define success. They're going to sell tickets and establish a rabid fanbase in Oklahoma City, so that's something that every team would like to have. When it comes to success on the court, I think you're going to see more wins than the Sonics had last season because you've got a nice group, but I'd expect something like 28 - 30 wins. Durant will still be learning how to be efficient, you've addressed some of the big man issues with Joe Smith coming in, but the roster is overwhelmingly underwhelming. Lots of average guys. Pretty nice future, though, considering the youth and eventual cap space.
nathan in dunedin: What do you think Michael Beasleys numbers will be and do you think the heat can make they playoffs with the current team or do they need a trade and if so with who? thanks.
Preetom Bhattacharya: Beasley's numbers are probably going to be around 15 points and 6 rebounds per game. He's going to be the team's third option in my estimation, but I think he's going to show that he can be much more efficient than expected when he's got no pressure on him. As for the HEAT making the playoffs, I'm going to say it's possible but not likely. I love this rejuvenated Dwyane Wade, but they need a point guard and a center still. If they can find a taker for Marion in the middle of the season for the pieces that they need to really make a late push, then a low-seed can be in their reach. Off the top of my head, if they could get Kirk Hinrich, he'd be a really nice addition, but there's just way too many things that have to fall into place for the HEAT to make a deal at this time. Talk to me closer to the deadline.
Bill Ingram in Dallas, TX: Just for the record - I'm buying into the Rockets hype. But Pree - tell our friends here what you think of the Clippers with Baron Davis. Are they a playoff team?
Preetom Bhattacharya: Nope, Billy boy, I don't. If they had Brand, it would be another story. Baron's a great player but he can't carry an entire franchise on his back. With the Warriors and their amazing run, he had Stephen Jackson, Jason Richardson, Monta Ellis, and Andris Biedrins doing plenty of damage. I don't think Al Thornton, Chris Kaman, and Marcus Camby fall in the same category. I attribute Baron's great season to it being a contract year (as I mentioned in a preseason video we did with Travis last October), but he's going to be a great player in LA, too. I just don't think the team will have all that much success a la his time with the Hornets.
Andrew Shephard in : I keep hearing that Shaun Livingston is only about 70% after his injury, yet today there are rumors about 3-4 teams chasing him. If he's actually ready to make a roster, shouldn't the Warriors be fighting to sign him to fill the void left by Ellis?
Preetom Bhattacharya: The Warriors had a first crack at watching Livingston work out right after the news of the Monta injury came out and if they liked what they saw, I think they would have pounced by now. The news of the HEAT, Wolves, and Blazers going after Livingston is pretty surprising - you can throw the Blazers out of that mix, I think, but the HEAT and Wolves are intriguing possibilities for Shaun. Again, the Warriors had their chance and apparently made their decision, thus allowing other teams to make their own.
Derek Shiau in : Do you think Vince Carter will be traded - and if so do you have a guess as to where?
Preetom Bhattacharya: When we were in Las Vegas for Summer League, this rumor made its way around the Thomas&Mack Center a few times before I started to think it had some legs. After speaking to some folks, I don't beleive Vince will be dealt before his contract is up at all. His deal runs through July 2011 (11-12 is a team option), so they can make their big summer spending spree in 2010 (read: LeBron) since they'll be so far under the cap even with Vince and they'll have one or two years of overlapping two huge contracts. They have to keep Vince to maintain their Brooklyn buzz and Vince's deal - albeit rather large - isn't radioactively huge.
barry in miami: hey preetom i was just reading about a possible trade with the heat and bulls marion and banks for gordon, hughes and noah that would be a HUGE upgrade for miami so my question do you think the trade is gonna happen?
Preetom Bhattacharya: I just ran the numbers and it's a possibility in that end. My concern was BYC issues with Gordon, but it can work out. I don't think it'll go down, though, because there's very little reason for Chicago to take that deal. Marion and Deng together is a nice combination with Gooden off the bench, but when will Tyrus Thomas play? Who will the Bulls have left to play center? Too many question marks solely on the Bulls side for that to go down.
Peter Kim in Fremont, CA: Anyone word on Marco Belinelli getting significant time this year? Has he improved his defense?
Preetom Bhattacharya: In Vegas, Marco was hit and miss as a ball-handler or creator for others, but I give the Warriors credit for trying to see what they have in him in that low-risk environment. He found some success and that gave him some confidence as a playmaker (there was one play in particular when he fed Brandan Wright for a dunk that even got Marco excited, a big deal since he doesn't show much emotion on the court). Without Monta, Belinelli is going to have to step it up but he's going to have competition from Morrow and his also-superior shooting ability. Marco's defense was still pretty iffy, but I think it's better than Morrow's because he's more athletic. Belinelli should see time because of the situation the Warriors are in - it's going to be a trial by fire.
Chris Michaels in Chicago: Do you think the bulls dropped the ball by not taking Micheal Beasley first? I like Rose but it seems Like Beasley is destined for greatness
Preetom Bhattacharya: Yea, I really do think they made a mistake. Everyone was enamored with Rose because of the Tournament run and the numbers and WOW LOOK and all that. The league has made moves in the direction of being more of a PG league, but I think Beasley would have fit in really well with Luol Deng. Plus, Hinrich isn't that bad of a point guard - he did have a bad year, but it was WAY too soon to move on. Beasley wouldn't have had too much pressure (Deng, Hughes can handle scoring responsibilities, Gooden's there as a solid option when Beasley would struggle) and could have developed nicely. Still, Rose is a nice talent, so it isn't like the Bulls got chopped liver. It'll just be more of a challenge in my estimation to make it work.
wesley in boston: Do you think my celtics will re-peat this upcoming season?
Preetom Bhattacharya: I think losing James Posey really hampers those chances, Wesley. Sorry to say that Bill Walker, J.R. Giddens, Darius Miles, and a healthy Tony Allen aren't great replacements.
Sam in Orlando, Florida: hey preetom i have a kind of old question for you but i got to know your opinion on it.. what the heck was orlando thinking about when they gave rashad lewis a max contract?
Preetom Bhattacharya: Great question. I think it was a message to Dwight - "we want to win and we're willing to spend to do it" more than anything. It worked - right after getting Rashard, Dwight signed his five-year extension to stay in Central Florida. Rashard's a nice player and fits in well with Dwight .. keeping Dwight happy and in a Magic uniform (pinstripes, anyone?) definitely helps.
MARCO in OHIO: PORTLAND HAS AN BUS LOAD OF HOT YOUNG TALENT ON THEIR ROSTER ARE THEY GONNA UNLOAD SOME OF THOSE PLAYERS?
Preetom Bhattacharya: I think Pritchard is going to let all this talent develop together and see what he's going to need before he makes any moves. If there's a clear hole that the roster is going to need to fill in the long run (frankly, right now I'm not really seeing it), then I think Pritchard will assess who he can move and who he can get to make the Blazers better. If they do move some of that youth this year, it'll probably be with Raef LaFrentz's expiring deal headed out as well. But I really don't think you'll see some of those moves right now - down the road, maybe, but the team isn't going to pick up a bunch of long-term deals when they've got extensions galore coming up (Roy, Oden, maybe Frye?).
Ricardo in Brazil: Hey, Preetom. How are you?
What's your opinion about the "almost trade" envolving Marion-Gordon?
Preetom Bhattacharya: Oi, olá, Ricardo! As I mentioned above, The Marion/Gordon thing didn't seem to make al lthat much sense to me from a Bulls standpoint, although they're the one that reportedly reached out in the first place. I think they just want that expiring deal, but it's a bad idea with Luol and Tyrus Thomas poised for big years. Plus, Gordon isn't exactly the guy I'd want to play with Dwyane Wade.
Joe in Scranton, Pennsylvania: Many in the hoops community have already labeled Adam Morrison a “bust”. After essentially only playing one season (including a 30 point game), is that a fair assessment? What will his future hold? Will he ever live up to his potential?
Preetom Bhattacharya: I think people came to that conclusion because a) he didn't have the best rookie campaign, especially for such a high pick, b) he wasn't all that athletic in the first place, and c) they're jealous of his 'stache. Morrison has sort of gone by the wayside and had been forgotten, which is why I think people were like "Top 5 pick and where is he now? MUST BE A BUST!" .. in our instant satisfaction world, it was an easy place to go. I think, if he's in shape and ready to go, he'll be a very good role player in this league in the mold of someone like Kyle Korver (but more capable to do things offensively other than just shooting). If he's a starter, he's going to have to be a third or fourth option. In a moment of journalistic bias, I will admit that I'm pulling for Adam because him being in the NBA with diabetes has had a really positive effect on one of the kids I coached who also has it. I know, it's petty, but it's in the interests of full disclosure.
Eric in Stayton, OR: Just FYI, extensions coming up are Webster, Frye, Diogu (all after this season), Roy, Aldridge, Rodriguez (all after next season), Oden, Bayless, Fernandez, Outlaw, Blake to follow soon after.
Preetom Bhattacharya: Thanks for that, Eric. You won't have to worry about losing Roy, Bayless, or Oden. Pritchard told our very own Bill Ingram in an exclusive interview that the Blazers are lucky to have an owner that doesn't like losing his players in free agency. Subtle, but you can see what he meant.
Leo in Las Vegas NV: Do you believe Greg Oden will ever become a great center in this league? I saw him last year in Summer League. To me he has a long way to go.
Preetom Bhattacharya: Yea, he didn't look good in Summer League last year, but I talked to him a week later and he said the tonsilitis really was bugging him and maybe the knee was an issue at the time as well. I think he has every possible tool to be the next David Robinson, who I think was a great center. So .. yes.
Paul in Gainesville, Fla.: With Otis Smith(Magic GM) stubbornly deciding to head to training camp with "FOUR" stinkin' shooting guards rank'em as to whe gets the most minutes to the least.
Preetom Bhattacharya: Totally a Kyler question, but from my ivory tower here on the West Coast, I'll say:
Pietrus
Bogans
Lee
Redick
hardcore in : any clear indication GSW will move toward a youth movement if they fall behind early in the season? Also, how much do you think the record for all time wins is motivating Nelson to stick around?
Preetom Bhattacharya: I think the Warriors are pretty committed to what they've got as far as the combination of youth and some vets here and there. I write about this all the time - the team has a great young group developing (Randolph, Monta, Wright, Biedrins) and the pieces to compete now (Monta, Jackson, Maggette). It's going to be that weird combination of both to avoid complete rebuilding. As for the record, I think that'll definitely be a motivation, but Nellie will coach as long as he wants to coach. The guy is a gym rat - in Vegas, he watched every game for every team except for three games (I'm serious .. I logged when I saw him in the building). The guy would be bored if he wasn't coaching.
dave in d.c: do you think it's kind of sad that the wizards spented a 150 million this summer just to stay the same?
Preetom Bhattacharya: Interesting way to put it. I like what the Wizards have done because I do believe that they're formidable when they're healthy. When you say they're "just staying the same" .. it kind of makes it seem like a bad thing, but it isn't exactly staying the same because the same would include losing Caron and Gilbert to injuries. If that happens, yea, it would be sad.
Jim in Orlando, Fla.: Please answer this question! My friends are dying to know. If the Magic trade Hedo have you heard anything about his destination and who we might get back? If not, make a suggestion.
Preetom Bhattacharya: Hedo's going to cost the Magic a lot if they want to keep him. He's got one year left and then a player option to stay the season after that. But when he wants to go, he's going to get a boatload of cash. The question for Otis Smith is whether the team is going to want to go into the luxury tax to pay Hedo. If not, I think he'll be moved. It'll really depend on where the Magic are this season in the standings and what ownership wants to do with payroll.
J. Turner in Orlando, FL: Do you believe Pietrus can be a really upgrade - in the defense and offense - for the Magic's SG position?
Preetom Bhattacharya: If you get a chance, try to watch any tape you can from when the Warriors played the Celtics last season. You'll see one game in particular where Pietrus annoyed the hell out of Paul Pierce. I think that's the tape that sold the Magic on getting him. He'll be a nice defensive piece for them, but he can make some dumb plays on offense. When he's comfortable and understands his role though, he's a really nice player to have.
Todd in San Diego: Do you buy into the Lakers hype? I mean they could have 3 possible allstars if everyone can stay healthy, are they your favorite to come out of the west?
Preetom Bhattacharya: Yea - I think that Bynum coming back is going to really help the Lakers out defensively, but nothing is set out West by any means. I think the Hornets are REALLY going to be a challenge for the Lakers and Houston's going to be in the mix as well. I'd list them in that order for my favorites: Lakers, Hornets, Rockets ----- Alright everyone, thanks for all the questions and for those that I couldn't get to, feel free to e-mail me and I'll speak to you in that way. See you guys next Saturday! -----
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