NBA Chat With Alex Kennedy 2/10/12

1. Jesse K

   could derrick williams start at SF and guard faster SF’s?

   • Alex Kennedy

     What’s up everyone? Thanks for stopping by and submitting your questions. Let’s jump right in.

     I think Derrick Williams could start at small forward, but I think he feels more comfortable at the power forward position. He likes being quicker than opposing power forwards and feels it gives him an advantage. I think he could play either position, but I think he’s better suited for power forward. It really depends on the match-up though. There aren’t many guys who can play small forward one day and power forward the next, but he’s extremely versatile.

2. Gery

   I just want to predict that OKC gets early out of the playoff due to one sidedness of their offence with no low post offence(Perk+Ibaka=12 ppg) and 17 TO per game. whats your take?

   • Alex Kennedy

     Their offense was one-sided last year, they committed just as many turnovers and they still made it to the Western Conference Finals. While I agree that they have some issues, they still have plenty of time to work those out. They have a very talented team and a great head coach in Scott Brooks. I can’t predict an early for OKC. I think they’re going to have another deep postseason run.

3. Hurricane Game

   With the rumors of a possible Gasol for Rondo deal, is it time for the pacers to jump in and claim their pg of the future? they tried to get him earlier in the year with their “cp3″ proposal, and now apparently, he will be on the market again if the celtics arent contenders by the deadline.

   the pacers can offer alot to the celtics, they can completely consume his contract for a few picks and the celtics dont have to take back any salary. or they can make a deal giving the celtics collison and picks for rondo

   or they could even take a much bigger step and trade collison and george for allen and rondo, would be a great deal for the celts and they would save cap, but i doubt the pacers would want to deal both george and collison for rondo and allen, but should they step in and be agressive for rondo?

   adding him to their team makes them automatic contenders in the east for years, any chance this happens?

   • Alex Kennedy

     The Pacers love Rondo and, as you mentioned, attempted to acquire him earlier this year. However, talks between the Celtics and Pacers didn’t go anywhere. I’m not sure Indiana has the pieces to get it done. Also, it’s hard to imagine Indiana making a blockbuster deal when they currently sit a 17-8, fourth place in the East.

4. Cain

   Hey Alex, who would rather have on your team now and in 3-4years Paul George or Evan Turner? How good can these two be individually?

   • Alex Kennedy

     I’d go with Paul George. I’m a huge fan of his game. Later this afternoon, I have an article dropping about George’s improvement. I truly believe the sky is the limit for him. He’s 21 years old and has all of the tools to be a top player. More importantly, he has an insane work ethic and wants to be great.

5. Arthur

   Alex, i believe you are one of the few people to read if a person is looking for true things concerning the magic and d12. I’ve read a lot of your texts and chats, but one thing I totally didn’t understand: you say any package that it’s there for the magic now, will be there in July. I don’t think that’s true. See: the nets, Howard preferred destination, will have enough cap space to sign him, and they will have no incentives to make a sign and trade, because they can offer the same deal to Dwight without one, that is a four year deal. So, if d12 wants the nets, which is likely, the magic will lose him for nothing and be stuck with bad contracts. So, could you please give me your point?

   • Alex Kennedy

     The Nets should stay patient and sign Howard as a free agent. It’s looking more and more like Howard will refuse to sign a long-term deal with any team other than the Nets. That means the Orlando Magic may be screwed. Unless they can find a team that is willing to trade for Howard as a rental, the Magic may lose Howard for nothing. While it’s terrible for Orlando, it makes a lot of sense for Howard and the Nets. They keep all of their young assets and don’t have to take back any bad contracts. Not to mention, they get a lottery pick because they’ll play out the remainder of this season with the current roster.

6. longaniza at sili

   Do u believe that russell wesb is worth the max? Klove? I see rwesbrook as a steve francis who only thrive by athleticism , he aint no cp3 who will win u games even without a high vertical.just my opinion. Thanks

   • Alex Kennedy

     I’d give Kevin Love a max contract before I gave one to Russell Westbrook. I’m more impressed with Love at this point in his career and big men always make more money than guards. I agree that Westbrook relies heavily on his athleticism and it’ll be on him to become a more skilled player throughout his career.

7. sinampalukang manok

   Laker fan here but may i say that k.durant is the best in clutch right now in the nba. Even against kobe. Am i wrong? And alot will pick lbj first to build a team. But in my opinion. Kd is 3 steps ahead from being clutch,not being scared to take the ball from rwestbrook in the 4th and being selfish when its closing time. Very kobe n mj like qualities that lbj doesnt have. Am i wrong?

   • Alex Kennedy

     If Kevin Durant isn’t the most clutch player in the NBA, he’s certainly up there. He has a killer instinct and he has become so much fun to watch. I still think LeBron James is the best player in the league and, at this point, this season’s MVP. However, Durant is the only player that makes me think twice about who I’d build a team around. Durant is everything you want from your franchise player, on and off the court. The scariest part? He’s only 23 years old.

8. alvin

   i followed the magic for about 10 years.the one thing i have to say and this is why i think howard shoulded leave.the drafting over that time and some of draft picks they have given away as the year when they where tring to get back a draft pick for amare.so teams can’t just do this expect players to stay.then the player would be stupid

   • Alex Kennedy

     I agree, Alvin. The Orlando Magic are one of the worst teams when it comes to preparing for the draft. They pick players without working them out or interviewing them. When they drafted Daniel Orton two years ago, just about every other team in the league had worked out Orton and come away unimpressed. Orlando picked him without ever seeing him in person and, judging by the fact that they’re letting him become a free agent after this season, they regret wasting that first round pick. Justin Harper, who they traded for in this year’s draft, was the same way. Harper had no idea that Orlando was interested before he got picked. Then, of course, there’s Fran Vazquez. Otis Smith’s draft prep could use some work.

9. Will

   So now that D12 wont lose as much money as expected,do you think he’s walking to Brooklyn this summer?

   • Alex Kennedy

     If I had to predict right now, I’d say Howard walks and signs with the Nets this summer.

10. Zac

    do you think its time for the blazers to move gerald wallace and let batum start maybe package felton and batum for nash or maybe even jarret jack and okafor?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I don’t think Portland is ready to make any blockbuster moves just yet. Raymond Felton and Jamal Crawford are still getting acclimated and this team hasn’t reached their full potential yet. While Nicolas Batum should have a bigger role, I don’t think the Blazers are willing to part ways with Gerald Wallace. They feel like he’s the heart and soul of that team and brings a tough, winning attitude to the organization. Give the Blazers time, I think they’ll start clicking soon and be in good shape by the time the postseason comes around.

11. Ron

    DWayne wade Haslem mike miller norris cole two picks for Dwight Howard and jameer Nelson

    • Alex Kennedy

      Better offer: LeBron James for Dwight Howard. Wouldn’t that be interesting?

12. lopes

    would the clippers be interested in w.johnson? Mo williams seems to having a hard time adjusting to his role maybe clippers need to trade him…

    • Alex Kennedy

      I can’t imagine the Clippers trading Mo Williams now that Chauncey Billups will miss the remainder of the season. He’s too important to that team. He’s certainly not helping his job security by running his mouth and talking about an extension, but they need him on that roster.

13. Jazzfan

    Alex, do you see the Jazz drafting a PG this year? or is a trade for someone like Mo Williams or Jose Calderon more likely? Harris isn’t the answer and Earl Watson is the better PG type for our team but obviously we need to pick for the future.

    • Alex Kennedy

      I wouldn’t be surprised to see Utah draft a point guard. They have done an excellent job of stockpiling young talent and point guard seems to be the only position they have left to address.

14. karthik

    What are the chances that the spurs end up with the top seed in the west, with ginobli back and hopefully gets back to the same game shape he was in before he went down.

    • Alex Kennedy

      It’s definitely possible. The bigger question: Will they be eliminated in the first round again? There are some very talented, deep teams who may land in that eighth seed. If they have to face the Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers or Memphis Grizzlies, they may be in trouble.

15. lakerfan68

    Alex no one ever mentions Steve Nash to the Lakers. I think he’s a great short term fit. He’s got an expiring contract and Suns should be in rebuild. Lakers have some #1′s and the trade exception. I think the Lakers should try and make it happen. Your thoughts?

    • Alex Kennedy

      If the Phoenix Suns decide to shop Steve Nash, they’ll have a long list of potential suitors. The reason that nobody mentions the Lakers is because other teams have more to offer. Not to mention, I can’t imagine Phoenix trading Nash to a division rival.

      That’s all for today! Thanks for submitting your questions. If I missed you, hit me up on Twitter and I’ll do my best to respond. Have a great weekend!