NBA Chat With Alex Kennedy 1/6/12

1. AJ

   What is Robin Lopez’s trade value? Could Portland acquire him without giving up a major asset? How about Jason Thompson?

   I think Portland is one young, backup, big man away from being a serious threat in the West.

   • Alex Kennedy

     Phoenix really likes Robin Lopez so it would take a significant piece for the Suns to part with him. It’s difficult to acquire a 23-year-old seven footer without parting with a major asset. Jason Thompson may be easier to acquire.

     Portland is already a very scary team. You’re right though, if they acquire a big man then they’ll be extremely hard to stop. They already have terrific chemistry and depth. If I’m a team in the Western Conference, I wouldn’t want to see the Blazers in the playoffs. I think they’ll make a deep run in the postseason if they can stay healthy.

2. raps

   tell me why or why not a trade of rights to valanciounas for cousins and a 1st works for both teams…please elaborate…I think it is a win-win for both…DC needs a change of scenary..raps would prob not wana give up JV..if not would Ed Davis, Bayless and James Johnson plus a protected 1st do?

   • Alex Kennedy

     The Kings have made it clear that they aren’t moving DeMarcus Cousins, especially now that Paul Westphal has been fired. Cousins has a ton of talent and potential, he just needs to mature. Sacramento isn’t ready to give up on him yet.

3. Mike

   Hey Alex,
   You wrote that article about Larry Sanders in August and I was really impressed and expected big things. With all that work put in, why is having such a bad year. It looks as if he made no improvement as his stats are the same or worse than last year?

   • Alex Kennedy

     Larry worked hard all summer, but the NBA is extremely competitive. Other players spend hours in the gym as well and it’s difficult for a young player to take that next step and become a significant contributor for their team. It also doesn’t help that Larry is only playing 12 minutes per game. When he’s had the opportunity to play big minutes, such as last night, he has looked better. Larry’s work ethic will definitely help him in the long run.

4. Jhon

   if dwight goes to the lakers before the all star game and he is set to play for the east cuz of votes how can he be a east center if he with the lakers by than .

   • Alex Kennedy

     If the starters and reserves were already announced prior to the trade, the East would add a replacement player to their roster and Dwight Howard would come off of the bench for the West. If the Denver Nuggets had traded Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks prior to last year’s All-Star game, Anthony would have had to do the same thing, coming off of the bench for the East.

5. Sump

   Sup AK? I am a big knicks fan, and MD’s coaching strategies simply hurt my eyes. When can we get a good half-court, defense first coach. I really think the Knicks dropped the ball this year and should have gone after Casey. He is doing wonders with a Toronto team full of young offensive minded players.

   • Alex Kennedy

     You’re not alone. There are plenty of anti-D’Antoni questions in the system right now. There’s no question that he has struggled to manage the team. The majority of fans no longer support him and, unless the Knicks can turn this around, he’s going to lose the locker room. I’ve heard plenty of media members and fans say that New York is “one coach away from contending.” We’ll see if the Knicks decide to make a change at some point during the season or if they’ll wait until this summer.

6. Trevor

   I just dont understand why Dwight would want to leave ORL for a team like NJ who are awful when he has a team around him who can compete every year in ORL, pay him the most money, and no state income tax? Also what is you take on KBerger saying there will be a shakeup in the front office? IMO otis needs to be shown the door, his track record for “panic” moves and draft picks are horrendous.

   • Alex Kennedy

     In New Jersey, the front office asks Deron Williams for input and they’ve made it very clear that they’ll cater to their star players. In Orlando, the front office doesn’t involve their star player, making a number of trades and signings without talking to Dwight Howard. At the end of the day, that’s the difference between the two franchises. Howard loves the way that the Nets handle their star players and believes they’re a team that’s heading in the right direction, even if they have struggled this season.

     If the Magic were going to show Otis Smith the door, I think they would’ve done it by now. They’ve given new CEO Alex Martins more responsibilities, but it doesn’t seem like Smith is going anywhere.

7. James

   Stat and Melo cant play together in NY im convinced. Melo is the problem(ball stopper) but NY has a man crush on him. So how about this? Stat and Douglas 4 Deron and Farmar or Okur.

   • Alex Kennedy

     A lot of teams are scared of Amar’e Stoudemire’s uninsured knees so it would be difficult to get equal value for him in a trade. I can’t see a team like New Jersey or Orlando trading away their star player for Stoudemire, especially since both teams have already used their amnesty clause, which means they’d be stuck with Stoudemire if he were to have a serious injury. If New York continues to struggle, management will get rid of Mike D’Antoni before they get rid of either star player.

8. Alex M.

   Regardless if Dwight stays or goes, how long do the Magic keep Nelson around? In his 8th year he’s still as inconsistent as his first…

   • Alex Kennedy

     The Magic shopped Jameer Nelson prior to the draft, but they couldn’t find the right deal. He’s one of Orlando’s most attractive trade chips so it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Magic deal him in an effort to surround Howard with more talent. If a veteran point guard like Steve Nash becomes available prior to the trade deadline, I could see Nelson being offered in a package.

9. Anthony

   Kieth Smart looked good for his first Kings game. How was Smart during his time on the Warriors? Did he get fired due to poor performance or just new owners? Can he be the coach to teach the young kids how to win?

   • Alex Kennedy

     Keith Smart’s stint with the Warriors wasn’t terrible. The team won 36 games, but management decided not to pick up their team option on his contract. Joe Lacob wasn’t officially installed as the team’s owner when Smart took over for Don Nelson and, as you alluded to, Lacob wanted to bring in his own coach. Smart is definitely a players coach – I know a few guys who have played for him and they all love him. He’s definitely the right man for the job and I think he’ll do a better job than Paul Westphal.

10. Steve H

    Hey Alex- always like your chats. If Thunder don’t make the finals this year, can you see Presti replacing Brooks- and if so, with whom? Would/could Monty Williams be option?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Thanks Steve, I appreciate it.

      I don’t think Brooks is going anywhere. The organization really likes him and I see him staying in Oklahoma City long-term.

      If Brooks does get fired, for whatever reason, I doubt Monty Williams would be an option. The Hornets’ management loves him.

11. Big al

    Hey Alex, Is Odom going to turn it around in big D? Should I move on in My fantasy league? guys like Shumpert and Knight are available? Have a good day.

    • Alex Kennedy

      I think Lamar Odom will turn it around. He has been terrible thus far, but he should increase his production once he gets comfortable. This is a difficult season to be a new acquisition. The condensed offseason limited training camp and now the shortened season limits practice time. With that said, he should improve over the next few months. He can’t get much worse.

      I’d pick up Iman Shumpert though. I spent a lot of time with Iman over the offseason and he’s a freak of nature athlete and extremely hard worker. His first few games weren’t a fluke – he’s the real deal.

12. Steve

    Alex,
    Everything I have read or heard tells me the chances of Howard staying with Orlando are only about 10%. Maybe higher if Otis is replaced with Howard’s agent…
    The odds of Orlando winning a championship anytime soon are just too low, no?

    • Alex Kennedy

      It’s going to be very difficult for Orlando to win a championship. They don’t have many trade assets and they’re in salary cap hell, which means this is the roster that will have to get it done. Otis Smith has made a number of questionable moves and has really backed this team into a corner. Add in all of the drama surrounding Dwight Howard and it just seems unlikely that the Magic will contend. I can’t see them getting past Miami, Chicago or Boston in the playoffs.

13. Ed

    Do the Lakers make a move before the deadline to address the backcourt? Seems like all thats missing is an athletic 1 or backup for Kobe .

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Lakers need to do something before the trade deadline. As of right now, I don’t think they have the pieces to win a championship. Teams like the Blazers, Thunder and Clippers would give them problems in a seven-game series. Andrew Bynum is playing much better and the defense has looked good at times, but they need to add a point guard or a swing man who can contribute off of the bench. I’m curious to see how they use their traded-player exception come March. If they don’t make a move, they’ll be in trouble.

14. nick

    When’s the trade deadline this year? Do you project a lot of trades?

    • Alex Kennedy

      The trade deadline is on March 15. I wouldn’t expect a ton of trades. With fewer practices and less time to adjust before the playoffs, it wouldn’t make much sense for teams to wheel and deal. Free agents have had a difficult time getting acclimated to their new teams; I doubt many teams want to go through that adjustment period in March.

15. Robert

    “NBC Sports reporting: Knicks exploring a trade with Amar’e for Dwight Howard. May include Chandler and absorb Turkoglu.” Thoughts on how this trade benefits Orlando?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I heard this rumor last night, but it doesn’t make much sense. If Orlando had their amnesty clause, I could see them taking a chance on Amar’e Stoudemire and his uninsured knees. However, since they amnestied Gilbert Arenas, it would be a huge risk for the Magic. Also, Tyson Chandler just signed a new contract, which means he can’t be traded for three months. If this were to happen, it would have to take place days before the trade deadline, since Chandler can’t be dealt until March 10.