NBA Chat With Alex Kennedy 3/30/12

Join HOOPSWORLD’s Alex Kennedy for his weekly NBA chat this Friday at 1 p.m. ET. Submit your questions early because this chat fills up fast!

  1. calvinzero

    Is OKC matured enough to make strong push going to the NBA Finals? What is your analysis regarding that? Thanks!

    • Alex Kennedy

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

      Last season, I thought that Oklahoma City was too inexperienced to win a title. However, after watching them advance to the Western Conference Finals last postseason, I no longer think their maturity is an issue. This is a legitimate contender and they have veteran leaders on that team such as Kendrick Perkins, Nazr Mohammed and Derek Fisher. Right now, I think they’re the best team in the West and one of the top three teams in the league (alongside Miami and Chicago). They have really impressed me this season and I can see them advancing to the NBA Finals.

  2. Doug

    What is Tyreke Evans trade value? Would he return an all-star? Lottery pick?

    What is the relationship with him and DMC – still bad?

    Will the Kings trade him this summer?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I don’t think Tyreke Evans would return an All-Star, but he’d definitely return some talent and a draft pick. At 22 years old, he still has a lot of potential and I’m sure there are a number of executives around the league who would love to have him. I don’t know about his relationship with Cousins, but I do know that Sacramento views Cousins as their franchise player rather than Evans. There have even been rumors that the Kings won’t offer him a contract extension, which could suggest that the team will trade him rather than losing him for nothing in free agency. It’ll definitely be interesting to see how the situation plays out this summer.

  3. Charlie

    Alonzo Mourning was the main trade piece the Toronto Raptors received in return for their star Vince Carter. He then cried and complained like a little girl on her first day of preschool, forcing the Raps to trade him to the Heat. Alonzo then wins his first championship with Miami that year. Question: If you were in the identical position as Alonzo (and knew the outcome) would you rather be the douche with the championship or the respectful team guy who helped develop the young bigs in Toronto (be honest)?

    • Alex Kennedy

      There’s no question that this affected Alonzo Mourning’s image. A lot of people lost respect for him because of how he handled the trade. I would have went to Toronto and helped develop their younger players, but I’m sure it was tough for Alonzo. Having to relocate to Toronto isn’t easy, especially if you’re a veteran who has settled down with a family. As a 20-year-old, my answer would be to go Toronto, honor the contract and chase a championship later. But Alonzo was older and had a family so it’s different. Ask me in 10 years and see if my answer changes.

  4. David from Portland

    Hey Alex, enjoyed your article on my Blazers a few weeks back.

    What coach do you think would be a good fit for the Blazers next season? D’antoni, maybe Stan VG if doesn’t want to be around the circus anymore.

    And who should we get in this years draft, with the Nets protected pick and possibly another pick in the top 15?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Stan Van Gundy would be excellent in Portland. If, for some reason, the Magic let him go this summer, he should be atop the Blazers’ list. Mike D’Antoni is also an option, especially considering the Blazers will have flexibility and will able to bring in players that fit his style of play.

      As far as the draft pick goes, the Blazers will be in great shape if they have both picks. That would allow them to select two players with star potential to put alongside LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum. I’d love to see the Blazers select Bradley Beal and Andre Drummond.

  5. Mark ryan

    After the Kobe, Wade and Melo era which players do you see being the next Big Time Scorers and Players in this league(besides the obvious in Durrant, Love, Rose and Blake Griffin)?

    I See guys like John Wall, Paul George, Demarcus Cousins, Austin Rivers, Marshon Brooks.

    • Alex Kennedy

      Marcus Thornton, MarShon Brooks, James Harden, John Wall, Kyrie Irving and Paul George are some of the scorers that come to mind. Bradley Beal and Damian Lillard will be in this draft class and I could see them joining that group of elite scorers as well.

  6. Roon

    What are some possible scenarios you see for the Charlotte Bobcats this offseason? Will Silas be fired? Part of me would like to see Scott Skiles in Charlotte. This team could use a fire lit under them.

    Hopefully they can land Davis in the draft and start to turn things around. Do you think they will be active in free agency?

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Bobcats have a lot of holes and they better be active this offseason. Anthony Davis is a start, but they’ll need to sign some veteran leaders who can help this team. A coaching change may be smart as well, and Scott Skiles would make sense in Charlotte. They need a strict coach who can teach that young group how to be professionals. It’ll be an interesting offseason for Charlotte. After a season like this, they have to be active.

  7. Art

    Alex, what are the chances the Magic trade Anderson and a piece, ie Duhon/Redick for Josh Smith this summer? Atlanta knowing he wants out and would prefer playing with D12.

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Magic would love to make that trade, but I think the Hawks could find a better offer. Orlando knows that acquiring Josh Smith would appease Dwight Howard. They are best friends and have played together since elementary school. With that said, Atlanta isn’t going to do Orlando a favor. Would they trade Smith to a team in the same division for a mediocre package? Unlikely.

  8. Will

    Could you see Orlando going after Joe Johnson this offseason in a trade?

    • Alex Kennedy

      His name has been brought up before and it wouldn’t surprise me at all. I’ve this before and I’ll say it again: What Orlando lacks in assets, they make up for in their willingness to take on bad contracts. They were willing to take on Golden State’s bad contracts to acquire Monta Ellis. They know that other teams can put together better packages so part of their pitch is that they’ll take back an ugly contract or two to acquire a star. That’s why it was so important for them to get a commitment from Dwight Howard. They weren’t going to make a move that would put them in salary cap hell if Howard was going to leave shortly after. Now, with Howard opted in for one more year, don’t be surprised if they make a splashy move this summer that yields a star and an ugly contract.

  9. Bobby Y

    Given the choice, which would you bet to have the more productive week next week? I have one move left in my fantasy basketball league and it is going to come down to dropping Lin for one of these two: Kawhi Leonard or Kemba Walker? Both have 4-game weeks. Nobody can predict what goes on in Charlotte but if Kemba was to start the rest of the year he may have higher value, but Leonard is the safer pick. What do you think?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I would go with Kawhi Leonard. He’s putting up nice numbers and they’re winning games, which means they’ll keep going to him. As you said, Charlotte is unpredictable. I’d go with Leonard.

  10. Scott

    Nice job on the radio interview. I like hearing your take on the Utah Jazz.

    • Alex Kennedy

      Thanks for the kind words! I love jumping on the Red and Blue Show.

  11. cody

    Do the jazz have the best frontcourt in the nba right know?

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Jazz certainly have one of the best frontcourts, if not the best. I’ve been extremely impressed with Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson this year. They have really stepped up this season and they’re a huge reason for Utah’s success.

  12. Marvelous Marv

    Any thoughts on why no team has picked up AK47 for the playoff stretch and playoffs at the veteran’s min$?

    Is this something the NYK should think about with A’mare out and Jefferies” health questionable?

    • Alex Kennedy

      During the lockout, Kirilenko signed with CSKA Moscow of the Russian Professional Basketball League. He wanted to honor his contract and chose to remain in Russia for the remainder of the 2011-12 season. He’ll likely return to the NBA next season. A lot of people around the league believe he’ll sign with the New Jersey Nets since fellow Russian Mikhail Prokhorov has made it clear he wants to sign him.

  13. Josh

    Alex,

    What do you think the Jazz need this offseason. I dont think drafting a PG to groom with the new guys is the way to go but I think getting a PG with NBA experience that is up and coming is the better idea. Your PG has to be the floor general….someone like Lowry, Dragic, Lawson

    • Alex Kennedy

      This draft class doesn’t have many stud point guards so that may not be an option for Utah anyway. Damian Lillard makes a ton of sense since he would be an instant fan favorite after starring at Weber State. However, I think he’ll dominate pre-draft workouts and go before the Jazz are on the clock.

      Utah will weigh all of their options, including trading for their point guard of the future. They have done an excellent job stockpiling young talent so trading some of those pieces for a starting-caliber floor general is an option. They could also throw some money at Goran Dragic or Aaron Brooks, who will be restricted free agents.

  14. MikeM

    Hi Alex…As a Spurs fan I wasn’t as worried about the Lakers pre-Sessions, but even with their current inner turmoil they seem a huge roadblock for my team. Do the Spurs have a real chance in the West?

    • Alex Kennedy

      There’s no question that Ramon Sessions makes the Lakers better. When you push all of the drama aside, the Lakers upgraded their weakest position. By the time the playoffs come around, they should be on the same page and a roadblock for most teams in the West. As far as your Spurs go, it’ll be tough for them to come out of the West. Even if they get past the Lakers, I just can’t see them hanging with Oklahoma City in a seven-game series.

  15. Sweet Dee

    There are differing opinions on the approach of Mark Cuban and the Mavericks this year . After winning the NBA title, they decided to tank for a year to set themselves up to get Deron Williams. If they do, then mini-money. If they don’t, one less year with their star Disco. If you were Mark Cuban, would you have done the same thing or brought back the title winning squad to look to repeat?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I would’ve brought back the championship team and tried to repeat. Blowing up a title team for the chance to acquire a superstar or two is very risky. Mark Cuban is where he is today because of taking risks and making the right decisions so it’s hard for me to question him. If they land Deron Williams and/or Dwight Howard, then he made the right decision. If not, his plan blew up in his face. I would’ve taken the safe approach and brought back the winning squad.

  16. LL cool jon

    do you think iman shumpert has all-star potential??

    • Alex Kennedy

      Iman Shumpert has a lot of All-Star worthy guards to compete with in the Eastern Conference, but he’s going to be a great player either way. He has an excellent work ethic and he’s very coachable, which means he’ll continue to develop and expand his game going forward. When I first saw Shumpert play at IMG Academies during the pre-draft process, I said that he had star potential. That was back when he was a projected second-round pick. He went on to dominate workouts and climb into the first round. I still feel the same way. If put in the right situation, he can be a star in this league. He’s good enough on both ends of the court.

      I’m out of time. Thanks for submitting your questions! If I missed you, ask me your question on Twitter (@AlexKennedyNBA) and I’ll try to respond. See you next week!