NBA Chat With Alex Kennedy 12/23/11

1. Art

   Alex, could the Magic make a trade for Dwill even though they are over the cap? They would have to trade 16 million in salary..Nelson,Redick and another contract. It’s less likely there’s a Nets trade with Lopez surgery.

   • Alex Kennedy

     What’s up everyone? Thanks for submitting your questions. The NBA season starts in less than 48 hours so there’s plenty to talk about. Let’s jump right in.

     If the New Jersey Nets get off to a rough start, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Deron Williams demand a trade. He wants to play with Dwight Howard so he could force a trade to Orlando, even though they have limited trade assets.

2. Ryan

   I know it has a 0.00000000000000000001% chance of happening but do you think the NBA playoffs (and MLB & NHL for that matter) should change the playoff format from a 7 game series to either single elimintation or a 3 game series?
   (sorry submitting twice I left some words out the first time)

   • Alex Kennedy

     Unlikely. While it would be a lot of fun and create a March Madness-like sense of urgency, less games means less money. Everyone complains that the NBA playoffs are too long, but I just can’t see the format changing.

3. Charlie

   Is it me, or is the Tyson Chandler signing EXACTLY like the Ben Wallace signing a few years ago. Big Ben was a great role playing center on the championship Detroit Pistons team, then signed a 4 year / 60 million dollar deal with the Chicago Bulls. Think this will turn out any differently? Why or why not.

   • Alex Kennedy

     I see where you’re coming from. Last season, Tyson Chandler averaged 10.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. During Ben Wallace’s last year in Detroit, he averaged 7.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks. They were the same age when they signed as well. With that said, I don’t think anyone is expecting Chandler to be a focal point in New York. In Chicago, Wallace was expected to be the difference maker alongside young players like Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, Tyrus Thomas and Chris Duhon. With Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire, the Knicks don’t need a big man that demands touches – they just need a great role playing center who defends and rebounds.

4. Charlie

   I put a HUGE bet on over for wins for the New Jersey Nets this year (over 26.5 wins). Two days later I hear of the Brook Lopez injury. Do you think that Jersey can still make the playoffs without Brook for the first 6-8 weeks? How good is Mememhet Okur going to be as his replacement? Your prediction on wins for the season. Thanks.

   • Alex Kennedy

     It’s going to be very difficult for the Nets to make the playoffs. With Brook Lopez healthy, I had the Nets finishing fourth in the Atlantic Division because New York, Boston and Philadelphia have improved. Without Lopez, they’re going to need their young players like Anthony Morrow and MarShon Brooks to exceed expectations if they want to make any noise come playoff time. You better hope that Lopez heals quickly and they acquire Dwight Howard before the March 15th trade deadline.

5. B-Man

   if beasley realy matures this season under adelman and shows promise of living up to the lofty expectations people had of him coming out of college, does that make derrick williams expendable in a trade for a solid veteran in his prime such as iguodala? or will minny still try to sell beasley instead?

   • Alex Kennedy

     It really depends how each player performs and who Rick Adelman likes more. At the end of the day, I could see them trading Beasley because he’s two years older and has had his share of off-court problems. In this type of situation, it makes sense to sell Beasley while his stock is high and then usher in the Derrick Williams era. With that said, I know that Beasley worked extremely hard this offseason and he believes he’s poised for a breakout season. We’ll see what happens and what Minnesota decides to do. Having too many talented young players is always a good problem to have.

6. B-Man

   between new orleans’ three main big men, kaman, okafor and landry, who do you think make the most ideal starting duo?

   • Alex Kennedy

     I would start Carl Landry and Emeka Okafor, but give Chris Kaman plenty of minutes off of the bench. Landry is probably the best post scorer of the bunch and Okafor is the best interior defender. Kaman is the veteran on an expiring contract so he’d be the odd man out in my rotation. If I’m the Hornets, I’d be shopping Kaman over the next few months.

7. Brooks

   Jalen Rose said the Lakers will make a blockbuster trade sooner than people think. Heard anything? What do you think?

   • Alex Kennedy

     Kobe Bryant isn’t happy so the pressure is on the Lakers’ front office to make a blockbuster trade. Now that Brook Lopez is injured, Los Angeles may be leading the Dwight Howard sweepstakes. The decision to trade Lamar Odom for the huge traded-player exception was definitely a precursor to another move, but I haven’t heard that anything is close. They’re definitely working the phones and will be a team to watch as the trade deadline approaches.

8. eddy

   Why are people selling out on the Blazers? LA knows he’s the man and they got the best 6th man in the game, Jamal Crawford to replace Roy. Don’t forget the upgrade Felton is too Miller. If anything they got better.

   • Alex Kennedy

     I completely agree. The offseason was full of bad news with Brandon Roy’s retirement, Greg Oden’s setback and LaMarcus Aldridge’s heart issue, but they’re still a very talented team with a lot of depth. They’re definitely a contender with a full season of Gerald Wallace and the additions of Raymond Felton, Jamal Crawford and Kurt Thomas.

9. eddy

   Rajon Rondo is the most OVERRATED player in the NBA. C’mon he can’t shoot an outside shot, can’t shoot free throws, weak and gets bullied by bigger guards and when he drives he can’t finish his layups… I’m calling it. When the Big 3 retires he’ll struggle. The only thing good about him is that he is fast.. and experience. Am i the only one who thinks this?

   • Alex Kennedy

     You’re forgetting that Rajon Rondo is an excellent defender and passer. While he’ll never be a number one option on offense, he’ll remain a top perimeter defender and facilitator. He may struggle when Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce retire, but the Celtics will surround him with more talent. He makes the players around him better.

10. Dennis

    Reggie Evans averaged 11.5 rebounds a game last year (albeit small sample size due to injury / 30 games). Yet despite these numbers he only signed for the veteran’s minimum. Why was Reggie not more sought after this offseason by teams desperate for a big?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Evans is 31 years old and coming off of an injury, which is why he didn’t receive much interest. I agree though – I’m surprised more teams didn’t make an offer since he’s an excellent rebounder and perfect back-up big. He’s going to be very productive with the Clippers. On an unrelated note, I was surprised that T.J. Ford signed for the veteran’s minimum as well.

11. Jason

    Knicks; Pick up K-mart in March, make a push for Pietrus now?

    • Alex Kennedy

      It sounds like Mickael Pietrus will sign with Boston if he clears waivers. With that said, Kenyon Martin makes a lot of sense for New York. The Knicks still have their room exception to spend and he’ll want to join a contender when he returns from China. Also, he’s close with Carmelo Anthony. He can help the Knicks make a deep playoff run and then test free agency this summer.

12. Phong

    Atlanta just waived Keith Benson today. This guy is a solid player and really good shot blocker, he remind me a lot of JaVale McGee. I think he is better than Daniel Orton. thought?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I was surprised when the press release arrived in my inbox. I thought for sure Benson would make the team, especially since Atlanta was desperate for cheap players to fill out their roster. It’s rare to see teams give up on a 23-year-old big man with a lot of potential, but that’s one of the side effects of a condensed offseason and preseason. He’ll be claimed off of waivers and some team will do their best to develop him.

13. Enrique

    Happy Holidays! Trade idea: Bulls get Bragnani in exchange for T. Gibson/Bulls 2012 Pick/Charlotte 2016 Pick. Charlotte gets another young piece, an extra pick in a loaded draft and potential lottery pick and the Bullies get the “stetch four” to round out the roster. Thoughts?

    • Alex Kennedy

      You explained why Charlotte and Chicago would do it, but why would Toronto sign off on that deal? They could find a better offer for Andrea Bargnani.

14. Jazzfan

    I’ve been hearing the Jazz may try to get Danny Granger use the trade exception they got for Memo, what do you think the chances are of that?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Very unlikely. The Pacers love Danny Granger and will keep him, especially now that they’ve signed David West. They feel that they can finally compete in the East and it wouldn’t make any sense for them to part ways with Granger now.