NBA Chat With Alex Kennedy 4/6/12

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. Gaddis

    You know what’s funny? despite having an off season, dirk is still better than lefraud and durant but the media decides to pimp its golden boy players instead.

    • Alex Kennedy

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

      LeBron James and Kevin Durant have been the two best players in the NBA this season. Dirk Nowitzki has been playing better in the last few months, but he is having somewhat of an off year, as you said. James and Durant deserve the press they’ve been getting. It’s not because they are golden boys, it’s because they’re putting up huge numbers and winning games. Also, I wouldn’t call James a “golden boy player” these days. The media likes to write negatively about him more often than not. However, this season, he’s been so dominant that the media has no choice but to acknowledge his excellent play.

  2. calvinzero

    For me, Dwight Howard’s attitude is killing the Magic now. What can you say about the brand new dispute between Van Gundy and Dwight?

    • Alex Kennedy

      This is nothing new. Stan Van Gundy and Dwight Howard haven’t been on the same page for awhile and Howard has been asking for Van Gundy to be fired since training camp. The only reason it’s a “brand new dispute” is because Van Gundy spoke about it to reporters and air the organization’s dirty laundry. I think Van Gundy will finish the season with Orlando and then he’ll be fired this offseason. Then, Howard will be involved in the search for a new head coach.

  3. Lou

    Who is a better fantasy player for week April 9-16-Terrence Williams, Charles Jenkins or Donald Sloan?
    Thanks.

    • Alex Kennedy

      I’d go with Charles Jenkins. He has been playing a lot over the last 10 games and he’s scoring the ball well. Terrence Williams isn’t a bad choice either.

  4. brendan

    do you see phx making the playoffs? does phoenix as a team scare any other team in the playoffs as constructed?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I think the Denver Nuggets will hold onto the eighth seed in the West. They’ll be a very good team once Wilson Chandler and JaVale McGee find their rhythm and Danilo Gallinari returns from injury. Come playoff time, I think Denver is a scarier team than Phoenix. I don’t think the Thunder would have problem with the Suns in the first round.

  5. Will

    If SVG is gone after the season,who do you think is the next Magic coach?

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Magic will look at Nate McMillan, who is close with Dwight Howard after their stint together with Team USA. They’ll also look at a number of assistant coaches around the league. At the end of the day, Howard wants a coach that he and his teammates can have a relationship with. He feels that Van Gundy is too negative and he doesn’t think that style of coaching is conducive to winning. They’ll look for a players’ coach and I’m sure Howard will be involved in the hiring process.

  6. Matt

    Is Jrue Holiday available or could he be available? GM saying he can play SG, coach saying Turner is a PG, team needs bigs.

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Sixers really like Jrue Holiday. A team would have to offer a very nice package for Philly to consider parting ways with him this summer.

  7. Kendal

    Hi Alex, which 1 2 punch would you take (assuming all players are in their prime), Jordan and Shaq, Lebron and Kobe, Oscar Robertson and Wilt. Thanks.

    • Alex Kennedy

      If I’m starting a team today, I’m going with Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal. That’s as good as it gets. I’m not sure if Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson would be as effective against players in this era. Jordan and O’Neal, on the other hand, would be dominant. That would be a scary duo.

  8. Deven

    Fact or Fiction: SVG and Dwight will not be around for the 2012-2013 season.

    • Alex Kennedy

      Stan Van Gundy will be fired this summer and Dwight Howard will likely be dealt at the trade deadline or leave as a free agent next summer. That’s how I see this situation playing out.

  9. Derek, Lake Mary

    Hi Alex, this Magic rollercoaster is just getting worst. I don’t think the fans deserve this. After the Dwight Howard saga, thins were “cooling” down and VanGundy comes out and just makes another mess. How would YOU fix this mess? Starting from Ownership, Management, Coaching and players.

    • Alex Kennedy

      They have to play out the remainder of the season. Then, this offseason, I would fire Stan Van Gundy and Otis Smith. Let Dwight Howard be involved in the hiring of a new head coach and general manager and show him that the franchise is heading in the right direction. I would try to make a blockbuster trade to give the Howard and fans something to be excited about. I would also throw my mid-level exception money at J.R. Smith, who Howard likes a lot. He’s someone who can create his own shot and run the pick-and-roll with Howard. Then, I’d cross my fingers and hope Howard wants to sign a long-term deal.

  10. Jazzfan

    If you’re the Jazz and you draft a PG this year do you keep Earl Watson and Tinsley and let Harris go or do you keep Harris?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I’m sure they’ll try to move Devin Harris, but that’s easier said than done since he’s owed $8.5 million next season. Earl Watson and Jamaal Tinsley will likely be back.

  11. Prem I.

    Hey Alex if Portland gets the nets pick this year do you think Andre Drummond would fit alongside LA and also do you think Damian lillard is the answer for the jazz at the point? Thanks

    • Alex Kennedy

      Andre Drummond would make a lot of sense for Portland. He’s still pretty raw, but he has a lot of potential. He could be a very good center in this league and I think he complements LaMarcus Aldridge very well. As far as Damian Lillard goes, I think he’s the perfect pick for Utah. He would be a fan favorite after starring at Weber State and he’s the best point guard in this draft class.

  12. Trevor

    Why does Duhon still get minutes on an NBA team? JJ would be a better backup pg than Chris and lays better D and Hedo does most of the ballhandling with the 2nd unit. Also why does it seem Otis is getting a pass here when he put this overpaid over the hill roster together?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I wouldn’t say that Otis Smith gets a pass. A lot of criticism is directed at him and most Magic fans want him fired this summer.

      The crazy thing about Chris Duhon is that the Magic had other options that summer. There were a number of backup point guards that wanted to come to Orlando for less money, but he still chose to sign Duhon.

  13. Jared

    Do you think if the Rockets dont make the playoffs this year that they will rebuild? and when will Donatas Motiejunas come to the NBA?

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Rockets want to make a blockbuster move and acquire a star player to build around. That has been the story of the Rockets for several years now. They’ll give up anyone on their roster if that allows them to acquire a superstar.

      Donatas Motiejūnas could come to the NBA after this season. He’s currently playing on a one-year deal overseas, which means he could join the Rockets this summer.

  14. Dan

    If the lakers let go of Mike Brown after one year, who are the best candidates to replace him other than Phil Jackson?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Jerry Sloan, Nate McMillan, Mike D’Antoni, Brian Shaw or Stan Van Gundy (if the Orlando Magic fire him).

  15. George

    I still don’t get how Devin Ebanks goes from starting and playing good basketball early in the season and then NOT playing at all. I’d rather have him play behind Kobe then see Steve Blake come in and loose the lead everytime the Lakers go to their bench.

    • Alex Kennedy

      I don’t understand it either. He can still be a contributor for the Lakers off of the bench, but Brown buried him on the depth chart.

  16. big kev

    If you were starting an NBA team right now, who would you pick to have in your starting line-up as well as the 6th man?
    I would probably go with CP3, Wade, Durant, Lamarcus Aldridge, and Andrew Bynum… as well as James Harden as 6th man.

    • Alex Kennedy

      Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Durant, Kevin Love and Dwight Howard. Can I make LeBron James my sixth man?

      That’s all for today. If I missed you, ask me your question on Twitter (@AlexKennedyNBA). Have a great weekend!