NBA Chat With Alex Kennedy 12/28/12

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. Deven

    Hi Alex. Who should be the next head coach of the Nets?

    • Alex Kennedy

      What’s up everyone? Thanks for submitting your questions. Let’s get started.

      If Phil Jackson is interested, as some reports have indicated, then the Nets have to go with him. He brings instant credibility and exposure to the organization and even though he’s going to cost more than other coaches and have more control, he’s worth it because he’s just that good. It sounds like Jackson is the Nets’ first choice, which isn’t a huge surprise. That’s the right move.

      If they can’t land Jackson, I think they should pursue Larry Brown, which isn’t out of the question since he has a solid relationship with Billy King.

      We’ll see what happens. You know Mikhail Prokhorov wants to make the big, splashy move so this should be interesting.

  2. Deven

    Do you think Deron Williams is a coach killer?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I don’t think so. While he was partially responsible for Jerry Sloan leaving the Utah Jazz, I’ve been told that Al Jefferson also played a large role in that. I don’t blame him for Avery Johnson either because it sounds like this was Mikhail Prokhorov’s decision and everyone was blindsided. The players didn’t see this coming, from what I’ve heard.

  3. D

    Am i crazy for voting and thinking Nik Vucevic should either be on the all star team or close to it?

    • Alex Kennedy

      He has played well and exceeded expectations, but he won’t be an All-Star, especially since the center position has been removed from the ballot. There’s no way he gets selected to the Eastern Conference frontcourt over LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Garnett, Chris Bosh, Tyson Chandler, Paul Pierce, Joakim Noah, Josh Smith, Anderson Varejao, etc.

  4. LA in LA

    Saw this tweet, and it’s not the first time:”. A lot of people believe that [Lebron] James will be returning to Cleveland. “It’s the worst-kept secret in the league,” one general manager said. SI.com”
    Do you believe this rumor? and if so why would Lebron want to leave Miami for Cleveland?

    • Alex Kennedy

      There are a lot of people around the league who believe that LeBron James will return to Cleveland. They believe he’ll want to go back and repair his image. It doesn’t hurt that he’s friends with Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson and other players on the team. However, I just can’t see James doing it unless the Cavaliers start playing much better between now and then. Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense for an aging James to go back to Cleveland to play with a bunch of young players who haven’t even reached their prime. I think he’d rather try to win a few more titles than win back a few of his hometown fans.

  5. ralph lawrence

    Hello Alex! lots of DMC talks going on.. Do you think DMC gets traded this season? I know there are a lot of teams that is interested in Cousins but what is the most realistic trade that sac could get out of cousins? and do you think that detroit is still interested in cousins? I know they have been interested with him since day 1 and if that is the case is it fair to trade cousins for monroe heads up? for me personally that would be a great trade for both teams unlike the other trade scenarios being mentioned out there for cousins exchanging him for bunch of crap type of players.. your thought?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I don’t think teams should trade away players when their value is at an all-time low. It just doesn’t make sense for the team. I know I say this for a lot of players, but I think teams value their assets more than people realize. After all of the drama that has unfolded recently, why trade DeMarcus Cousins now? Why not hold onto him for the remainder of the season, hope he plays well and then trade him during the offseason when you’ll likely get more for him since you won’t be selling low? The only way the Kings make this trade now rather than waiting is if they are just completely fed up with Cousins’ attitude and outbursts and can’t stand to have him around anymore. If that’s the case, maybe they trade him for a lesser package just to wash their hands of him and hope for addition by subtraction.

      I don’t think Detroit is as interested as they once were, specifically because they have Greg Monroe and are pleased with him. I’m not sure which team will take a chance on Cousins. He fought with Keith Smart, who is the epitome of a player’s coach. Not sure if the Kings will find any teams willing to give up significant pieces, at least not at this time.

  6. Sven

    Hi Alex, how do you see Cousins career evolve ?
    A. Out of the league in 3 years
    B. Stay in the league on low-risk contracts but never living up to his potential
    C. Seeing the light and becoming an All-star

    • Alex Kennedy

      It’s too early to tell if he’ll follow the B route or the C route. He may never live up to his potential, staying in the league as a solid center with a lot of baggage who never becomes great. Then again, he may mature and turn into a dominant center. It really depends on his mindset and if he’s willing to hold himself accountable.

      He definitely won’t be out of the league in three years. He’s only 22 years old and teams give big men with potential way too many chances. If you’re a big man with potential in the NBA, you can do just about anything and there will still be a team that brings you in for a workout or signs you. It’s ridiculous, but true. Too many executives believe they can change players and many others just cross their fingers that the player finally start seeing the light when he’s on their roster.

  7. ryan

    Hey Alex, Do you think the cavs will be very active come the trade deadline and this summer, whether it’s trying to deal Andy or trying to add a big time player to their core?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I think they’ll trade Anderson Varejao at the deadline. Going back to selling high or low, Varejao’s trade value is at an all-time high and the Cavs can add a piece or two (and maybe a draft pick) that will help improve their young core. Varejao isn’t in the team’s long-term plan so it makes sense to trade him for someone that will be. I think they’ll be active over the offseason too because they want to stockpile young talent. At some point soon, Irving is going to be an excellent recruiting tool for Cleveland. There are plenty of players around the league who would love to play with a great point guard like Kyrie.

  8. jayjay

    I know its risky, but could OKC get Cousins for a Perkins, Lamb, P.Jones

    Or as an alternative, what do you think of this:

    OKC = Varejao
    Sac = Perkins, Lamb & its old #1 traded to Cleveland, OKC #1
    Cvas = Cousins

    • Alex Kennedy

      I’ve heard Oklahoma City as a possible destination for Anderson Varejao. They have a lot of attractive assets such as Jeremy Lamb, Perry Jones, Reggie Jackson, Eric Maynor and the two first-round picks they acquired from the Houston Rockets in the James Harden trade.

  9. LA in LA

    What seed will the Lakers finish, I see them as a 6-7 seed with the way things are going but if things can click maybe they can make it up to the 5 seed. Any chance on a Lakers/Clippers First Round?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I see them finishing somewhere in the same range. There are just so many good teams in the Western Conference this year. The Clippers, Thunder, Spurs and Grizzlies are playing so well, it’s hard to imagine them finishing any higher than five after their poor start.

      Clippers vs. Lakers in the first round is definitely possible, but the Clippers need to slow down. Fifteen-game winning streaks won’t make that series happen. If the Lakers are going to finish as the fifth or sixth seed, the Clippers need to stop winning so many games in order for that match-up to occur.

  10. Ahmed

    Do you think the Lakers will be the top west team by the end of the season

    • Alex Kennedy

      No. Maybe next season, if they get everyone on the same page, but not this season.

  11. Corey Bing

    With a quarter of the season in the books, what are your thoughts on the new Orlando Magic in terms if the GM, Coaching Staff, Culture & the players received from the D12 trade?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I’ve been very impressed with the new-look Magic. Jacque Vaughn has done an excellent job and he’s getting a lot of this roster. The players have exceeded expectations and the future looks bright in Orlando in terms of personnel. Rob Hennigan stepped into a crappy situation and was criticized for the move, but he’s looking pretty smart today. The culture is great, much more communication and everything is about the team rather than one player. The Magic are definitely heading in the right direction. This season could’ve been a train wreck, but that hasn’t been the case.

  12. Paul

    What should the Lakers do. Sign anybody? Trade Pau? Orjust stand pat. Thank you

    • Alex Kennedy

      Stand pat. They’ve made plenty of moves and tweaks. Now it’s time to let this group mesh and see what they can do once they have some stability.

  13. larry

    6 seconds left to a game down by 2 who would you rather have the ball melo or lebron

    • Alex Kennedy

      LeBron. He has the best clutch stats in the league. Also, he’s more likely to take what the defense gives him and find a teammate for the winning shot.

  14. Erik

    We’re not even to the all star break yet but who wins the lottery this year?

  15. Paul

    Happy Holidays Mr Kennedy ! If KNicks stay healthy ( big ? ) and then add depth with STAT and SHUMP, do you think they can go all the way?

    • Alex Kennedy

      It’s definitely possible. They are playing very well and they’ll only get deeper once Stoudemire and Shumpert come back. I don’t think Stoudemire returning will be a problem. He’ll buy in and put the team first. If he doesn’t and the team struggles, he’ll be blamed and criticized and no player wants that.

  16. Bryan

    Do you think the Bucks could trade Ellis for Gortat and Shannon Brown on Suns? Bucks need an interior presence.

    • Alex Kennedy

      Then the Bucks’ starting lineup could be Larry Sanders, Ekpe Udoh, John Henson, Samuel Dalembert and Marcin Gortat, with Ersan Ilysova, Drew Gooden and Joel Przybilla coming off of the bench. How many big men does Milwaukee need?

  17. La lakers fan!

    Hi Alex,
    Why would lebron want to go to cleveland❓❓❔❔❓❓❔❔

    • Alex Kennedy

      LeBron James is still very involved in Akron and he has said that he hopes to live there again someday. After basketball is over, I doubt LeBron wants to be hated in the region that he hopes to call home. Going back to Cleveland repairs his image, to some extent. There’s no question that it’s unlikely, but like I said, there are a lot of people around the league who predict it’s going to happen.

  18. tony

    Alex, Do you have any read on how GMs feel about this upcoming draft. Looks to me like its weak up top but deep with alot of project big men

    • Alex Kennedy

      Thanks for submitting your questions. Have a great weekend!

      Most executives look at this draft class and don’t see one dominant player that has separated himself from the pack. It doesn’t seem like there’s a franchise-changing player like there are in some drafts. Shabazz Muhammad, Cody Zeller, Alex Len, Nerlens Noel and Isaiah Austin aren’t viewed as once-in-a-generation talents like some top picks are (LeBron James, Dwight Howard, even Anthony Davis to some extent). However, those guys are still very young and do have a lot of upside. I would say general managers have the same read on this draft as you do. It’s relatively weak up top but there are a lot of project big men who may eventually pan out and become solid players in this league.