NBA Chat With Alex Kennedy 1/13/12

Join HOOPSWORLD’s Alex Kennedy for his weekly NBA chat this Friday at 1 p.m. ET. Submit your questions early because this chat fills up fast!

  1. Will

    Should the Magic go after Joe Johnson,now that Horford is out all year?

    • Alex Kennedy

      What’s up everyone? Thanks for stopping by and submitting your questions. There is plenty to talk about so let’s jump right in.

      The Hawks are looking to make some moves now that Al Horford is sidelined for three to four months. I’ve heard that they’re going to shop Kirk Hinrich’s expiring contract, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they listened to offers for Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and others. Otis Smith needs to get on the phone and try to land one of those guys. The Magic are playing well, but it’s clear they’re still a piece or two away from contending. Whether or not Orlando can land Johnson remains to be seen, but, to answer your question, they should definitely attempt to go after them.

  2. Matty

    Good afternoon Alex. ‘Sota needs a SG in the worst way. What SG are on the block and Minny has a realistic shot at acquiring at the trading deadline?

    Also, Rubio is in 3rd place in All Star votes thus far for West guards, beating out even Westbrook so far. Granted, ASG is a popularity vote, but has he earned that 3rd place yet?

    Also also, does K-Love deserve a max contract in your opinion?

    Thanks!

    • Alex Kennedy

      O.J. Mayo seems to be available. The Grizzlies say they aren’t moving him and then he constantly ends up in trade talks. We’ll see who becomes available as March gets closer.

      I was very shocked when I saw that Ricky Rubio was third in All-Star voting among Western Conference guards, behind only Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul. He finished ahead of Steve Nash and Russell Westbrook, even though he hasn’t started an NBA game yet. I’m a huge fan of Rubio and I think he has been spectacular. But has he earned third place? No. The NBA clearly does an excellent job hyping up rookies and it also helps that he has Spain behind him. Rubio may be an All-Star someday, but he hasn’t earned it just yet.

      Yes, Kevin Love deserves a max contract. If the Timberwolves don’t give it to him, somebody else will.

  3. Casey

    Hey Alex

    Are the blazers going to make any trades this season? If no, then what do you think their moves will be this off season?

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Blazers shouldn’t make any major moves, but adding a big man would be smart. Marcus Camby and Kurt Thomas are both old and, unless Greg Oden can come back at some point and play limited minutes, they’ll need someone else who can contribute down low. The 66-game season is going to be tough for veterans like Camby and Thomas. Otherwise, I really like Portland. I think they’re a great team and I’ve been telling everyone that I think they’ll make a deep playoff run.

  4. Coop

    Why haven’t the T-Wolves signed Kevin Love to a max deal?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I have no idea. They need to get it done as soon as possible. As I said earlier, if Minnesota doesn’t give him a max deal, another team will.

  5. Jason

    Are the Lakers still actively looking to upgrade at the Point Guard position? Things have gone very quiet on the Lakers rumors front.

    • Alex Kennedy

      They should be looking for ways to upgrade. That’s really their biggest need, and it’s even worse now that Steve Blake is sidelined with a costrochaondral fracture. I’m sure the Lakers are exploring all of their options, especially since they hold that large traded-player exception. We’ll see which point guards become available as March 15 gets closer.

  6. Jason

    Is the rumor about Kobe and Dwight challenging each other over texts true?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I know for a fact that Kobe and Dwight have been in contact. I’m not sure what has been said, but I know that they’ve talked recently.

  7. The Truth

    Who do you think should take the final shot for the heat with 30 seconds left Wade,Bosh,Or Lebron.Keep it mind they are all having a great game thanks bye

    • Alex Kennedy

      Joel Anthony!

      In all seriousness, I’m going to either LeBron James or Dwyane Wade, depending on who’s guarding them. Last year, LeBron’s clutch scoring was excellent. He averaged 45.1 points per 48 minutes of clutch time. I think he has been over thinking everything lately, but he’ll silence his critics eventually.

  8. Jason

    Do you think the magic can go after D-will if they get another team involved?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I’ve been told that the New Jersey Nets aren’t too happy with the Orlando Magic. Last month, the Magic and Nets agreed to a deal involving Dwight Howard, but Orlando’s ownership stepped in and stopped it at the last second. New Jersey was upset because they thought they had landed Howard. Then, several days later, Brook Lopez fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. The Nets were annoyed that the Magic backed out of the deal and they were angry when Lopez went down because he shouldn’t have even been on their roster had things gone as planned. After everything that happened, it’s hard to imagine New Jersey turning around and trading Deron Williams to Orlando, but we’ll see what happens.

  9. Ap

    Any chance you know the most Free throws made in a game?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Bob Cousy made 30 free throws in a playoff game back in 1953. He finished with 50 points and hit 30 of 32 free throw attempts. Wilt Chamberlain and Adrian Dantley are tied for second place; they each hit 28 free throws in one game.

  10. MO

    Hey Alex,

    which Baron Davis are the knicks going to get assuming his BACK is good when he comes back; he’s already looking slimmer in those custom made suits on the bench than he did in a clipper’s uniform.
    keeping in mind he is going to have the motivation of playing for a ‘legitimate’ contender, and the chance at big minutes?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Baron Davis is going to be the X-Factor in New York. If he comes back healthy and motivated, he’s going to be huge for that team. Even in recent years when he has battled injuries, he has been a guy who averages 13 points and 7 assists. Now, with more weapons around him, he should be even better. I’m excited to see what he has left in the tank.

  11. Will

    I hear Orlando will keep D12 all year and let him walk,is it true?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Orlando may keep Howard all year and then decide to do a sign-and-trade next offseason. I doubt they’ll let him walk and receive nothing in return.

  12. Matty

    Do you think LBJ deserves the criticism about his 4th qtr disappearing acts? Or do you think he is a victim of over scrutinization due to his celebrity status.

    Also, is “scrutinization” a word?

    • Alex Kennedy

      LeBron deserved criticism for disappearing in the Finals, but should he be endlessly bashed for missing some shots against the Warriors and Clippers? No. He was having a phenomenal season up until that point, yet his fourth quarter struggles are now the topic of conversation. Chris Paul struggled late in that game as well, but nobody would have talked about that if the Clippers lost. People love to zero in on LeBron’s mistakes, but that’s part of being the villain.

      I’m not sure if scrutinization is a word. If it’s not a word, it should be. I like it.

  13. Matty

    Why hasn’t Agent Zero been picked up yet? Have teams even inquired about him at all? I would have thought that some team that is under-performing would have at least given him an offer to try to to right the ship. What’s your take on why Arenas is still unemployed?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Gilbert Arenas has received interest from a few teams, but it doesn’t sound like he’s close to signing anywhere. I’m just as surprised as you are. Over the offseason, Arenas worked out in Orlando and lost 20 pounds. The weight loss should prevent further issues with his surgically repaired knee, which was a cause for concern during his brief stint with the Magic. From what I’ve heard, he is completely healthy and looking forward to proving that he can still play at a high level if put in the right situation. He would love to play for the Heat, Knicks or Lakers, but I’m not sure if that interest is mutual. I think teams see him as a distraction, but he was an excellent teammate in Orlando. If a team loses a point guard to injury later in the season, don’t be surprised if Arenas gets a call.

  14. George

    Sheed wants to come back, should the Knicks sign him at minumum or rather Arenas?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Rasheed Wallace could be a low-risk, high-reward signing for teams. Boston, New York or Orlando could use him at the veteran’s minimum.

  15. Ian

    You think the Magic are taking a huge risk on Dwight, if they wait till March 1st to trade him? Just like the Melo drama last year, wouldnt it be better for the fans and rest of the players if they can just move on and do a deal already.

    • Alex Kennedy

      Ownership is holding out hope that Dwight Howard will stay. I don’t agree with them, but that’s how they feel. They aren’t ready to give up and trade Howard away.

  16. Matty

    Monta Ellis hasn’t had the best year so far regarding staying healthy. It is cause for concern for his career (i.e. Brandon Roy), or is it just bad luck or coming back to quickly?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I don’t think Monta Ellis is anywhere near as injury prone as Brandon Roy was. Stephen Curry’s injuries are a much bigger concern, in my opinion.