NBA Chat With Alex Kennedy 3/23/12

1. matthew

   i love the addition of ramon sessions.. now kobe doesnt have to handle the ball as much. does this move put lakers as a contender in the West?

   • Alex Kennedy

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

     I completely agree with you, Matthew. As I said last week, I’m a big fan of Ramon Sessions. He makes everyone around him better and the Lakers’ offense flows so much better when he’s on the floor. He should be starting; I expect Mike Brown to make the change soon. The Lakers are definitely a contender in the Western Conference. I think the Thunder are the best team in the West, but the Lakers are definitely a contender.

2. Anthony Pascua

   I think the Lakers have one open slot left. Are the Lakers looking for anyone else or is this the team heading into the playoffs?

   • Alex Kennedy

     Don’t expect any big moves for the Lakers. Even if they add someone over the next few weeks, it’s unlikely they’ll find a significant contributor. The free agency pool has dried up. They may be able to add someone like Rasheed Wallace, but does that really help them? How many minutes would he play? This is likely how the team will look entering the playoffs. They may add an extra body, but don’t expect someone who will make a big impact.

3. Martin

   The Spurs are still holding the 2nd seed in the Western Conference despite injuries, retirement and trades. They have also convincingly beat the best teams in the West (except the Lakers whom they haven’t played yet). Barring any major injuries come playoff time, what do you think the Spurs chances are of winning the West?

   • Alex Kennedy

     I have been impressed by the Spurs and it’s never a good idea to bet against Gregg Popovich and his veterans. As you said, they have played well against other contenders, but you have to wonder what will happen in a seven-game series. Last year, we saw the Memphis Grizzlies run circles around the Spurs and make them look like senior citizens. If San Antonio is matched up with another young, athletic team in the first round, can they beat them? I’m not sure. They have losses against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers. Whether or not the Spurs win the West really depends on which teams they have to go through.

4. Jazzfan

   Thanks for the chat Alex, what do you think of the Jazz’s young core of Kanter, Favors, Hayward and Burks? they’ve really started to come on strong the last few weeks and I can see a big future for us, I still think we need to find our PG of the future.

   • Alex Kennedy

     I love Utah’s core group of players. I think they have done an excellent job stockpiling young talent. As you said, they still need to add a young point guard, but they’re definitely heading in the right direction. I’d love to see them draft Damian Lillard from Weber State. He would be a fan favorite from day one and, while he isn’t a traditional point guard, he’s another exciting young player who the franchise could build around. Lillard, Burks, Hayward, Favors and Kanter is a promising core.

5. Will

   What about Dwight recruiting Dwill to Orlando,tell Dwill to demand a trade to Orlando?

   • Alex Kennedy

     The Magic don’t have much cap room so that could only happen if Williams forced a sign-and-trade to Orlando. At the end of the day, I can’t see that happening. I think Williams is going to sign with the Dallas Mavericks.

6. Joe Shafer

   Considering how well Lee and Dragic are playing when giving the opportunity, would it be wise for the rockets to use Lowry and Martin to fetch either an all-star big/swing man or the draft pick required to get one?

   • Alex Kennedy

     That’s definitely a possibility for the Rockets. Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin have some value so they may be able to trade those guys for an All-Star. First, they’ll have to re-sign Courtney Lee and Goran Dragic this summer.

7. Aaron

   What players should the Timberwolves target this off season to complement Love, Rubio?

   • Alex Kennedy

     During free agency and prior to the trade deadline, Minnesota tried to acquire a scorer. They want a two-guard who can create his own shot and put up a lot of points. Jamal Crawford, O.J. Mayo, Courtney Lee and Nick Young are several options.

8. John

   Who do you see as suitors for Courtney Lee if he becomes a free agent? I assume he’s a MLE type of signing… MIN? IND? UTA?

   • Alex Kennedy

     The Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls pursued him at the trade deadline, but the Rockets were asking for a lot in return. I expect those teams to express interest again this summer.

9. Duile

   is vinny del negro gonna get fired, who are the candidates for interim coaches?

   • Alex Kennedy

     He’s definitely on the hot seat. Marc Iavaroni is one of the assistant coaches for the Clippers and he could be the interim coach. He has been coaching since 1997 and has head coaching experience (he was head coach of the Memphis Grizzles). If the Clippers decide to fire Vinny Del Negro, their interim coach will be a short-term fix and then they’ll try to bring in a big-name coach this offseason.

10. Manny

    Can Boston land Boris Diaw?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Boston has expressed interest, but it sounds like San Antonio will land Boris Diaw.

11. Avery

    Who do you think will end up in the 8th spot in the West/East?

    • Alex Kennedy

      In the East, I think it’ll be the Knicks. In the West, I think it’ll be the Jazz. The Bucks and Rockets will make things interesting over the next few weeks, but the Knicks and Jazz are playing very well lately.

12. SportsManRadio

    Hey Alex, Austin Rivers has come out and said he will hire an agent and declare for the NBA Draft. What are your thoughts on this?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I’m not surprised. For years, Austin Rivers has been projected as a first-round pick and he’s ready to start his NBA career. I’m curious to see where he ends up. I’d love to see him land in Boston.

13. Dez

    Orlando Magic need bigs. What’s up with FRAN VASQUEZ and MILOVAN RAKOVIC? Are they coming down soon?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Every few years, we hear that Fran Vasquez will consider playing for the Magic. It’s no coincidence that these stories surface when Vasquez is looking for a new contract. Vasquez uses the possibility of leaving for the NBA to make more money overseas. Eventually, he may decide to come over, but I’ll believe it when I see it. You’re right about the Magic needing a big man though. I don’t understand why they didn’t show interest in Ronny Turiaf, Ryan Hollins, etc.

14. JM

    Is this draft still considered to be the best since 03? Seems like it has 1 allstar, a bunch of high energy PFs, some good roll player wings, and a couple of guy with upside that haven’t lived up to expectations.

    • Alex Kennedy

      This is considered a very good draft class. A lot of trades were held up at the deadline because teams didn’t want to give up this year’s first-round pick. There is a lot of talent in this year’s draft. Even though some players like Andre Drummond, Austin Rivers and Quincy Miller didn’t dominate at the college level, they still have tons of NBA potential. There are a lot of one-and-done players in this class that could develop into stars.

15. Michael Loyd

    Any chance Dwight Howard and Chris Paul consider playing with each other after next season since both are free agents? Or possibly one of them forcing a trade to join the other by next year deadline.

    • Alex Kennedy

      That’s definitely a possibility. Dwight Howard has wanted to play with Chris Paul for several years. On multiple occasions, Howard has presented a wish list of players to Magic GM Otis Smith, and Paul’s name has been at the top of the list every time. Howard realizes how much better Paul would make him. I won’t be surprised if they team up.

16. Mac

    Do you think the Knicks, given the way they play right now with more determination on the both ends of the floor, can contend in the east? They will certainly be a tough matchup for both Miami and Chicago in a seven game series.

    • Alex Kennedy

      I think they’re still one year away from contending, but they’ll certainly make things interesting in the first round. As you said, they have talent to compete with a team like Miami or Chicago. I don’t think they’ll beat either team in a seven-game series, but they’ll be able to win a game or two and keep things close.

17. Cole

    Who do you think the best defender in the
    NBA is? Do you think that player will win DPoY? Who do you think will in DPoY?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Dwight Howard.

      That’s all for today! If I missed your question, ask me on Twitter. I’ll be back next Friday at 3 p.m. ET. Have a great week!