NBA Chat With Alex Kennedy 1/25/13

1. Deven

   Now what are the odds of the Lakers making the playoffs?

   • Alex Kennedy

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

     It usually takes about 44-45 wins to make the playoffs in the Western Conference. The Lakers are currently 17-25. It’s going to be tough. They need to start playing well and they need some help from teams like the Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets. The players are still confident that they’ll make the postseason, but it’s far from a sure thing.

2. Deven

   When the starters for the NBA all-star game were announced on Thursday, I was pleased with all the selections except one: And that would be KG getting the starting nod over Tyson Chandler. That’s not right. KG isn’t having an all-star year anyway. To me, I think Tyson has been playing great basketball and is more important to the Knicks than KG is to the Celtics. Do you agree? Also, many fans were kind of surprised that Tim Duncan didn’t get the starting nod, considering the fact he’s been playing like an all-star all season long. What’s take on the all-star selections?

   • Alex Kennedy

     I agree. Kevin Garnett didn’t deserve the starting spot. But at the end of the day, the fans pick who they want to see and Garnett is still a household name. Garnett should’ve been left off the team, Tyson Chandler probably should’ve been the starter and then Brook Lopez should have made it as a reserve. That’s just my opinion.

     I’m surprised that Tim Duncan wasn’t the starter out West, but again, Dwight Howard is more popular and his game is more exciting than Duncan’s so it’s no surprise that he got the starting spot. Playing in L.A. definitely helps when it comes to All-Star votes. Four of the five starters were from the Lakers or Clippers (Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Blake Griffin and Dwight Howard).

3. Deven

   Is Danny Ainge re-thinking a blockbuster trade with this current skid the Cs are on?

   • Alex Kennedy

     It’s possible. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Celtics made a big move before the deadline, especially since Doc Rivers recently brought up the possibility of big changes possibly happening if the team continues to struggle.

4. Sven

   Hi Alex. Can we assume it is clear by now that missing out on maybe the last chance to get PJax at the sidelines again was a mistake ? Worst of all…this could only be the beginning…Pau must be disgruntled, Howard could leave, Kobe can’t be happy and someone is going to be the scapegoat (Kupchak ?)…

   • Alex Kennedy

     Yes, I think it was a mistake. Mike D’Antoni isn’t the right coach for that team. Don’t be surprised if the Lakers fire him. While it’s hard to imagine the Lakers paying Mike Brown, Mike D’Antoni and a third coach for the next several years, this team wants results and the players are unhappy. They may get rid of D’Antoni to ensure that Dwight Howard stays.

5. Chris

   Hey Alex, greetings from germany. I´m a Clippers fan since Blake stepped on the hardwood for his rookie season and i´m curios about the value of Mr. Eric Bledsoe. What should be a team´s priority having such a young talented backup guard? I mean a lot of teams are interested in Eric for sure but should this team really consider trading him? How difficult is it for a team to hold on to a guy so talented beside being only able to offer him the 3rd or 4th spot in their backcourtrotation? i would love to see him wearing white/red/blue for years to come and eventually take on Paul´s spot when it´s all sat and done. What´s your opinion?

   • Alex Kennedy

     There are a lot of executives that love Eric Bledsoe. He has proven that he’s a starting-caliber point guard and he does have trade value. However, the Clippers aren’t going to trade him until they have a long-term deal with Chris Paul, which makes sense. If Paul surprises everyone and leaves this summer, they want to make sure they have a point guard to step in and start. Also, they love the spark that he provides off the bench right now. If Paul decides to stay and Bledsoe continues to improve, that’s when the Clippers may decide to cash him in. Don’t expect any moves until Paul signs that contract though.

6. BSaintM

   Hey Alex hope you’re having a good day!
   With the trade Memphis made giving up Ellington, Speights and Selby does this signal Memphis bowing out of trying to be a contender since they only got Leur back?

   • Alex Kennedy

     I don’t think so. What hurts their team more, trading away Ellington, Speights and Selby or trading away Gay or Randolph? They made this move so that they could get under the luxury tax without breaking up the team’s core. If they didn’t make this move, they would’ve had to trade Gay or Randolph to get out of the luxury tax. I think that would’ve signaled that they were bowing out of contending this season much more than trading a few reserves does.

7. Cain

   How good do you think Paul George can become?

   • Alex Kennedy

     I’m a big fan of Paul George. I think he can become a very good player. He’s effective on both ends of the court and he has all of the tools to be the great (size, athleticism, length, etc.). I’ve asked him what his ceiling is and he has told me that he wants to be a perennial MVP candidate. This is a kid that wants to be elite and he’s working hard to get to that level. This year has been big for him because he took his game to another level in Danny Granger’s absence and he became an All-Star. I’m excited to see how good he can become in a few years when he’s nearing his prime.

8. kurt

   If the Jazz don’t plan on resigning AL or Paul Millsap wouldn’t it be better to trade one of them now? with the new CBA sign and trades in the off season are just about imposible right?

   • Alex Kennedy

     Yes. If they don’t plan on re-signing Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson and are ready to hand over the reins to Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter, it would be foolish not to trade those guys now to get something back in return. We’ll see what happens.

9. Mac

   Dwight Howard not ready for LA… can’t fill Shaq shoes, hell, can’t fill Bynums shoes! lol Anyway, I say lets trade Howard… how does Cousins / T Evans for Howard sound? Will money work?

   • Alex Kennedy

     See? Lakers fans are ready to part ways with Dwight.

10. Jeff

    Hey Alex,
    Its been a tough year for my cavaliers but I think things are going along with GM Chris grants plan who has done a great job. We know Irving is a stud but Tristan is playing like a beast lately and Dion and zeller have shown extreme promise although with lots of inconsistency. Now grant pulls off highway robbery by getting two role players, a prospect and a pick for seldom used used John leur. My question for you is what does the team need to do to make the playoffs next year? Thanks!

    PS. Kyrie should b an all star, he strikes more fear in an opponents than any player under consideration.

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Cavaliers are doing an excellent job rebuilding that team. Flipping Leuer for Ellington, Speights, Selby and a first-round pick was a great move. To make the playoffs next season, the Cavs will need their young guys to take a big step forward and they’ll likely have to add a veteran or two with some of their cap space this summer. Even if Cleveland doesn’t make the playoffs next year, they’re still heading in the right direction. They have stockpiled young talent and they’ll be a very good team in a few years.

11. James

    Pau’s numbers for a center are elite in the D’Antoni system. I seriously thing they should look into trading Dwight. How about Howard and Steve Blake to ATL for Al Horford, Devin Harris, ATL and HOU 1st rd picks (which ATL owns) Horford is an elite midrange shooter while Pau can move to 5. Dwight gets to play with his pal Josh Smith and live in his hometown.

    • Alex Kennedy

      Howard never expressed any interest in playing for the Hawks when he was going through the Dwightmare stuff in Orlando. He’s good friends with Smith, but for whatever reason he never wanted to play in Atlanta.

12. Tim

    Which Eastern Conference team has the best chance of beating Miami in a 7 game series come playoffs?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I’d say the New York Knicks because of their depth. The Chicago Bulls could be a dark horse too if Derrick Rose comes back at full strength.

13. Steve

    Hi Alex,
    Regarding Dwight Howard, the Lakers didn’t give up much talent to get him. It’s not working well so far. Isn’t this the perfect chance to cash him out – in a month when he is a bit healthier and playing better – and position the Lakers for a rebuild on the fly with an influx of new, younger talent? Maybe to BK for Wallace, Brooks, others and picks?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I’ve gotten about 50 questions from Lakers fans who want to see Dwight Howard traded before the deadline. L.A. fans are ready to move on.

      I don’t think Howard is 100 percent physically. I watched him for years in Orlando and he’s not dominating games the way that he used to. Obviously his role is different on offense, but I’m talking about on the defensive end as well. He’s not able to make the same plays and shut down opposing big men like he did on a nightly basis with the Magic.

      To answer your questions, it’s possible that the Lakers will trade him, especially if they think he’s so unhappy that he’d leave over the summer. We’ll see.

14. LayHee

    If you were a betting man, do you think Dwight Howard will resign in LA. Why or why not?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I can’t see Dwight Howard leaving all of that money on the table. I think he re-signs, but I think he asks for a new coach.

15. LA in LA

    The “Lebron to Cleveland” rumors are picking up steam but beyond competitive purposes, where Cavs would be a clear downgrade, would n’t Lebron and Irving be a bad fit just like Wade and Lebron were/are? Both are at their best with the ball in their hands, although Irving’s shooting makes him a better off-ball companion.

    • Alex Kennedy

      I think they could make it work. However, I can’t see LeBron James leaving the Miami HEAT to join the Cleveland Cavaliers’ young team. He wants to win championships and when he can become a free agent, the Cavs will still be a few years away from making any noise in the East. Maybe he’ll sign with Cleveland after this next contract expires, when he’s an old man and Kyrie Irving is in his prime.

16. LA in LA

    Apparently every game till now has just been preseason, because Howard says tonight at Memphis is a new start for them. This will be the 3rd new start for the Lakers (beginning of season, 5 games ago according to D’Antoni, and now). How many times can the Lakers reset the season?

    • Alex Kennedy

      When Howard made that comment, he drew laughs from several reporters and was asked the exact same question. He swore that this reset was different, but then the Lakers proceeded to get blown out by the Grizzlies. Maybe they’ll turn it on and start playing well next week?

17. Edward Lee

    With D12 refusing to discuss his future, he doesnt seem to be mentally comfortable playing for the Lakers or with Kobe. He doesnt have the fire in him to excel or try to make himself better like Kobe. Will anybody offer max contract after this seaons’s performance?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I disagree. Howard has always been a hard worker. And yes, I think someone will offer him a max contract this summer. Like I said, he hasn’t been 100 percent this season, but I think he can get back to that point.

18. Alex in Burbank

    We don’t care if we lose Howard anymore. Have we lost interest in him already? Or is this coming from a disappointed Laker fan base who just threw in the towel for 2013?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I think this is an overreaction from disappointed Lakers fans. Keep in mind that if Howard signs a long-term deal, he’ll be the cornerstone of the franchise going forward. Long after Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and everyone else are gone, he’ll be the team’s focal point and he can help attract other stars to Los Angeles. Howard is struggling in the short-term, but he was brought to L.A. to be a long-term piece.

19. mojart

    do you like the name pelicans for my new orleans?thanks

    • Alex Kennedy

      It’s okay. They’ve been criticized, but people will get used to it. There are plenty of team names in the NBA that aren’t intimidating.

20. Vincey

    What do you think about this trade, Tyreke Evans/Isaiah Thomas for Goran Dragic. Evans is way more physically talented but we need a point guard and the Suns need a star talent. Thomas is good as well but Dragic is obviously the better player. thanks

    • Alex Kennedy

      Don’t expect any moves from the Kings, especially ones where they are taking back a big contract. With ownership changing and the team’s future up in the air, I don’t think they’ll be active.

21. Dave

    The Rockets have Patrick Patterson, Marcus Morris, Terrence Jones, & Donatas Motiejunas at the PF position and they’re obviously looking to make a change. Do any of these 4 have trade value around the league?

    • Alex Kennedy

      All of those guys have potential and some trade value. I think the Rockets want to acquire a low-post scorer. Daryl Morey has said that he doesn’t want to keep making changes to the roster, but I think he’d pull the trigger on a deal if the right trade came along.

22. Danny Two-Step

    I’m 28 years old. I never played HS ball or college but I’m solid. Is it too late for me to go for my dream as an NBA player?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Go try out for a D-League team when they have open tryouts. That’s your best bet.

23. Zach

    Seems to me the Bucks are in a great position to make a major move with all of their bigs and Ellis. Kinda like Houston before the Harden trade. Could they be players for Josh smith, al Jefferson and/or jj reddick? Or someone else? Thanks

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Bucks are definitely a team to watch as the trade deadline approaches. They have a ton of big men and they may look to move Monta Ellis since he can become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. I’m curious to see what they do.

      Thanks for all of the questions! Have a great week.