NBA Chat With Alex Kennedy 2/22/13

1. paul

   How bout them Rockets? Harden has turned into one of the best. People are saying Kyrie is better hands down. Im not so sure. I mean Harden has played great all year. When Kyrie had that unbelievable game against OKC everyone was bowing at his feet. No one has talked about how unreal James played against OKC. Why do you think that is? Also, when I watch NBA countdown or the ESPN halftime show, it makes me sick. They cant talk about anything for a period of time if it doesn’t involve purple and gold. Bill Simmons gave a perfect example when he change the the subject from the rockets to Jalen Rose and his pitiful mustache. If your gonna talk about facial hair, talk about the most famous facial hair in the league…… THE BEARD!

   • Alex Kennedy

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

     James Harden has been amazing. He’s putting up monster numbers, making his teammates better and playing extremely efficient basketball. I’ll be honest, I thought Harden would be good as the man in Houston, but I didn’t think he would be this good. He has taken his game to another level and seems worth every penny that the Rockets game him. The scariest part is that Harden is only 23 years old. I’m very curious to see how good he is in a few years when he has reached his full potential. Harden is a very special player. Other people may not have talked about his performance again OKC, but I was tweeting about his stats, shooting percentages and how he outscored Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combined in the win. If you can’t tell, I’m a big Harden fan.

2. Deven

   Was this the worst trading deadline ever, Alex?

   • Alex Kennedy

     It’s up there. It’s definitely one of the worst in recent memory. I thought it was going to be slow since there so many deals over the summer (31 deals involving 96 players), but I didn’t expect it to be that slow. One agent that I was talking to throughout the day left his office to go play golf because nothing was going on. Hopefully the weak trade deadline means we’ll have a fun free agency period. Because players like Josh Smith, Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Monta Ellis, etc. didn’t get traded to new situations, we’ll likely see them test the market, which should be fun.

3. Deven

   Why did Ainge make a minor move? I thought for sure Pierce and KG were gonna be gone.

   • Alex Kennedy

     It sounds like Danny Ainge tried to make a bigger move, but couldn’t find any takers at the asking price that he set. Several reporters have said that Boston initiated the trade talks with Brooklyn that would’ve sent Pierce to the Nets. Clearly, Ainge was looking at all of his options and he felt that holding onto those guys was his best move.

     Also, I think Ainge was considering how the fans would react. It’s much harder to sell a Pierce or Garnett trade to the fans when the team has been playing well since Rajon Rondo’s injury. Can you imagine what the reaction would have been like in Boston if Ainge gave up Pierce for Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks and a first-round pick? The Celtics weren’t going to move those guys unless they had a deal that they were blown away with, which is why they were demanding another first-round pick from Brooklyn as well as Mirza Teletovic.

4. Deven

   Out of all the trades that took place, which one did you like the most?

   • Alex Kennedy

     I loved Houston’s acquisition of Thomas Robinson. They gave up Patrick Patterson, Cole Aldrich and Toney Douglas for the fifth overall pick in this year’s draft. That’s incredible. He had only played 51 games in his career. I spent a lot of time with Robinson over the summer while he trained for the draft, and he’s an incredible physical specimen who has a ton of potential. I think he’s going to thrive in Houston. If I’m a Kings fan, I’m pissed about the deal. But if I’m a Rockets fan, I’m loving it. Daryl Morey has done a great job this year.

5. Deven

   What happen with the Josh Smith trade talks?

   • Alex Kennedy

     Josh Smith will play out the season in Atlanta and then weigh his options this summer. I can’t see him re-signing with the Hawks, so Danny Ferry may lose him for nothing. If he’s lucky, he’ll be able to put together a sign-and-trade and get something back in return this offseason, but his options will be limited to teams that Smith wants to play for and those teams won’t be offering very much. I don’t understand why they didn’t trade him yesterday. Big mistake.

6. Deven

   Why does Danny Ainge do this to us? Why? Look I know they’ve been playing well without Rondo, but still, all they can afford was Jordan Crawford? Are you kidding me?

   • Alex Kennedy

     Like I said, it sounds like he tried to make a bigger move. He was linked to Tyreke Evans a few hours before the draft and he was literally working the phones all day. At the end of the day, I can see why you’re upset, but you have to admit that snagging Jordan Crawford for Leandro Barbosa and Jason Collins is a pretty good deal for the Celtics. I’m looking forward to seeing how Crawford plays under Doc Rivers, who should be able to get the most out of the 24-year-old.

7. James Turbeville

   Which big NAME do you think the Rockets will lock up this free agencie coming up? Will it be a Center since just got Robinson or do you think well try and get someone like J.Smith or Paul Peirce?

   • Alex Kennedy

     They will make a run at Dwight Howard, Josh Smith and Andrew Bynum among others. They really want to pair James Harden with another star and they’ll have the cap room to sign a big-name player or the assets to acquire one via sign-and-trade.

     Don’t be surprised if Howard changes his stance about the Rockets. That situation is much more attractive now than it was last offseason when Houston was trying to pry Howard from Orlando. While I know for a fact that Howard isn’t in love with the city, I think Harden will make him look long and hard at the Rockets. If Houston can sign Howard and then another veteran or two, that team is very, very good.

8. tapsilog

   I know this might be one of the boring deadlines ever so kindly excite us and tell us who are the guys who will get cut that contenders might pick up? And will gilbert arenas recieve a call in the next days??

   • Alex Kennedy

     A few players are already available after being waived such as Hakim Warrick, Ronnie Price and Lou Amundson. Also, there are still some decent free agents who contribute for an NBA team like Derek Fisher, Delonte West, Maurice Evans, Michael Redd, Mike Bibby, Josh Childress, Donte Greene and Quentin Richardson among others.

     Also don’t be surprised if teams start signing some of these veterans who are returning from China once the CBA season is over in March. You mentioned Gilbert Arenas, but there are also former NBA players like Tracy McGrady, Quincy Douby, Marcus Williams, Gary Forbes, Lester Hudson and Shavlik Randolph available. It’s not like last year where high-quality players are returning from lockout stints, but it should still be interesting.

9. Prismelk

   If the Spurs get the best record by, say 4-5 games over the 2nd best, and Tony Parker continues to play at this level, what are his chances to win the MVP award?

   I believe we can insert the “best player on the best team” principle here as other players in just the last 10 years have won the award because of this.

   Your thoughts, please?! Thanks!

   • Alex Kennedy

     He’ll definitely be in the conversation, as he deserves to be. However, I think the award will go to LeBron James or Kevin Durant, simply because those guys are household names and it’s much easier to see how they dominate a game. While that’s not fair, I think that is what will happen.

     Last year, Parker said that he has given up on winning awards and being recognized for his talent. He said that’s what happens when you play in San Antonio, you get overlooked individually because everything is about the team. He seems to have accepted that and is just focused on winning.

10. MagicJoe

    Everyone is upset about the Redick deal why is that? Three years ago you couldn’t give him away, plus Hennigan just shaved two million off the cap, and knocked payroll down to 45 million at most for next season. Rebuilding hurts but every team goes through it, thanks D 12.

    • Alex Kennedy

      Magic fans wouldn’t be so upset about the Redick deal if there weren’t so many reports about Orlando’s high asking price. When a fan keeps hearing that their team is going to land young talent and a first-round pick for a player, and all they get is Tobias Harris, Doron Lamb and Beno Udrih, it makes sense that they’re let down. Also, most casual fans have no idea who those guys are so in their mind, they’re trading a fan favorite in Redick for three “scrubs.” Once Harris and Lamb play in Orlando, and fans realize just how much cap space Udrih will give them, maybe they won’t be so upset.

11. MagicJoe

    What is the plans and priorities for the magic in the off season besides the lottery? Have a good weekend Alex

    • Alex Kennedy

      Stockpile draft picks (first-rounders as well as second-rounders) and try to sign young free agents. Everything in Orlando is about bringing in young talent and developing them. The Magic are copying the Oklahoma City Thunder model that Rob Hennigan is very familiar with. Also, don’t expect the Magic to be competitive next year. Expect another rebuilding season where they play the young guys a ton. That will give those guys experience while also putting Orlando in position to possibly draft Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker, who are two very special players.

12. Devonte

    Whats Your take On the Moves the Knicks Made Yesterday. Ronnie brewer for what is suppose to be the first pick of the second round in the draft and also signing Kenyon martin. Do You Think They Could of Made A better trade Yesterday? Is this team how its constructed now able to beat a heat team that looks like they starting to peak with 9 straight wins heading into the second half of the season? Also What happens to the team if they arent able to win a championship this year?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I like the moves that New York made. I know Knicks fans wanted a blockbuster trade, but they don’t need to go out and make huge moves at this point. Moving Ronnie Brewer will free up minutes for Iman Shumpert and, like you said, give them an early second-round pick in next year’s draft so that they add another young contributor. I also like the Kenyon Martin signing. I had been hearing all season that they were monitoring Martin (and I wrote about it a few times), I’m just surprised it took this long to bring him in. I think he’ll do well. He has been working hard and he’s determined to prove to teams that he still belongs in the NBA. It’s a low-risk, high-reward addition.

13. PapaLegba

    Based on PER, CP3, J. Hard, Lebron, Timmy, and B. Lopez are the most efficient players at their respective positions. Would you consider each the best at their positions THIS season? Who would you change on the list? Subjective

    • Alex Kennedy

      That list looks good to me. That starting five would be unstoppable, by the way. Very unselfish and they complement each other well. I love PER and I think it’s a great way to measure a player’s contributions.

14. Enrique

    Which players that will probably be at the top of the draft seemed to fit what the Magic are doing? McLemore, Noels, Smart, Zeller, Bennett?
    Thank you and keep up the good work.

    • Alex Kennedy

      I see them going after McLemore, Smart, Muhammed or Oladipo. They make the most sense. I can’t see them going after a big man like Noel or Zeller since they believe Nikola Vucevic and Andrew Nicholson have bright futures. I see them going after a perimeter player.

15. Anthony

    As a Cleveland’s sports fan, I try to temper my enthusiasm, but I am seeing a lot of good things with this young Cavs group. With the way Thompson and Waiters have been playing the past couple of months, combined with a healthy Varejao and a top pick this summer, do you see the Cavs making the Playoffs int he near future?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I love this young Cavaliers team. It wouldn’t surprise me if they managed to take one of the final playoff seeds in the near future. This team is going to be very fun to watch over the next few years as guys like Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters, Tristan Thompson and whoever they select this year continue to develop. Then, this is going to be a very scary team once these guys realize their full potential.

16. Zac

    How do you think maynor will fit in off the portland bench? and it seems like it would have made more sense to waive an injured elliot williams than a healthy ronnie price?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I like the Eric Maynor addition a lot. Neil Olshey admitted to us last month that the Blazers intentionally didn’t sign a starting-caliber point guard to backup Damian Lillard because they didn’t want to put any pressure on the rookie. They didn’t want Lillard looking over his shoulder or worrying about losing his starting job. They wanted to show Lillard that he was their starter from day one. That’s why they signed Ronnie Price. He’s a decent reserve, but he’s not starting anytime soon. The fact that he and Lillard were friends and had worked out together in the past also helped. Now, Lillard has clearly solidified himself as a starter so they can bring in a better reserve like Maynor to bolster the roster for a playoff push without worrying about how it’ll affect Lillard. I like the move a lot. I think Maynor is a very good player and I’m excited to see how he performs in Portland.

17. nick

    kyrie irving or james harden? who do you build your team around and why?

    • Alex Kennedy

      That’s tough. Give me Kyrie Irving because he’s younger and I think it’s important to have a superstar point guard as a cornerstone of a franchise. But it’s close because I love Harden, as I displayed in the opening answer of this chat.

18. Chris

    Alex:

    Please explain to me why Mitch Kupchak went ridiculously overboard in his statement that Dwight is the Lakers’ future. Isn’t it time for GMs to call the bluffs of superstars in situations like this? From all accounts, Dwight can’t possibly give up that extra 30 million dollars…your thoughts?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Mitch sounds desperate to keep Dwight so he’s sucking up and trying to do damage control.

      I agree with you, I don’t think Dwight leaves that money on the table. He can’t make it up with endorsements because everyone hates him now. I think it would be great to see a GM call a star’s bluff. The Magic considered doing it with Dwight, but they just got sick of the drama and off-court stuff that came with having him on the team.

19. Miguel

    Do you think that Kenyon Martin would be the answer for the “defensive weakness” in those Knicks?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I don’t know if he’s New York’s savior, but he’ll certainly help. Earlier this year, George Karl described Kenyon Martin as “a bright player and one of the more dominating defenders I’ve ever coached.” It also helps that Martin has some chemistry with Carmelo Anthony, J.R. Smith, Marcus Camby and Jason Kidd since he played with them earlier in his career.

20. gilbert

    who are the top 5 players in the nba at this moment?

    • Alex Kennedy

      LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant in no particular order. When Dwight Howard is at full strength, mentally and physically, he’s on the list.

21. Chris

    Hi Alex. Who do you foresee the HEAT signing to fill their 15th spot? Thanks.

    • Alex Kennedy

      I think they should sign Derrick Rose’s brother, Reggie. That’ll start some real drama within the Rose family.

22. Devin Brooks

    OK Alex, you loving Cleveland, what about Detroit Pistons.. what your take on them,, I know B.Knight isnt as good as Irving.. So, to me Detroit need to go get O.J Mayo to go with Jose Calderon.. that could be our backcourt for the next 4 season with Knight coming off the bench.. go make a trade for Danny Granger or give Josh Smith 15 millions to play here wow Smith, Monroe and Drummond sound or look better on paper than Cleveland to me..

    • Alex Kennedy

      I don’t think the Pistons’ future is quite as bright as the Cavaliers’, but I do like Andre Drummond, Brandon Knight and Greg Monroe. If I’m running the Pistons, I’m trying to draft Ben McLemore this summer and trying to sign a solid small forward. If they do that, they’ll be set.

      Thanks for all of your questions. Have a great weekend!