NBA Chat With Alex Kennedy 9/23/11

1. Jono

   hey alex,
   what sort of future do you think the wizards have with all their young talent? Could some of their current players develop their games more?

   • Alex Kennedy

     The Wizards are one of the best young teams in the league. They have youth at nearly every position and they’ll continue to develop over the next few years. They had John Wall, Jordan Crawford, JaVale McGee, Shelvin Mack, Larry Owens and Rashard Lewis playing together in Impact Basketball’s Competitive Training Series. They’re also planning a minicamp, which is very important for such a young team. Not only do they have young pieces making up their core, they have a group that wants to work and get better. They’re going to be a very scary team in the future.

2. devonte wilson

   robin lopez to the knicks for 3 million dollars and a second round pick?
   since the suns got gortat they dont really have to worry if robin leaves. robin’s production regressed any way so why wouldn’t they make this trade? if not what would the knicks have to give up?

   • Alex Kennedy

     Everyone seems to believe that Robin Lopez will end up on the Knicks. I understand that Marcin Gortat makes Lopez somewhat expendable, but there are plenty of other teams in the league that could use a seven-footer as well. If Lopez becomes available, I think it would take more than that to land him. He’s still only 23 years old so it’s not like the Suns have already given up on him.

3. anthony k

   I think Miami should take a gamble on iverson and possibly Eddie curry or Greg oden …they seem to always get injured but they are still young wit enough training they probably won’t get hurt anymore like for example grant hill …what do u think?

   • Alex Kennedy

     I do think they’ll take a chance on Eddy Curry. They’ve worked him out several times and have been impressed with what they saw. The only concern was Curry’s weight, but he has been working hard this summer and has dropped over 100 lbs. He’s been in Tim Grover’s ATTACK gym every day and he’s determined to prove he can still play. Don’t be surprised if they sign him after the lockout ends. He’s a low-risk, high reward addition who could make a difference in Miami.

4. Dong of Dayton

   Hey Alex,

   Kris Humphries put up some decent stats last season, enough so to move derek favors. What do you think of this guy, do you see him improving in any specific area this year?

   • Alex Kennedy

     I’m not sure whether or not Kris Humphries will get better or worse this year. Part of me believes he’ll get better because last year was his first time getting a real opportunity to play and he showed what he can do. However, another part of me is hesitant to trust a guy that only plays well during a contract year. I’m curious to see if he re-signs with the Nets and if he can play well for a second year in a row.

5. devonte wilson

   is impactbasketball for iman shumpert finished? if so whats next for him and training? maybe he can stay there and workout with chauncey billups and let chauncey help him with his game?

   • Alex Kennedy

     Impact Basketball’s Competitive Training Series wraps up this week, and then Iman Shumpert will return to the IMG Academy in Florida. In the next few weeks, the Knicks are expected to hold a training camp at IMG so he’ll likely train there until his teammates join him at the end of the month.

6. Ivin V

   I heard Brandon roy is going to be bought out and with Wilson Chandler as a free agent with Knicks as a signing interest, do you think the Knicks should sign both? This could be an amazing line up; we can also send Chancey and Fields to New Orleans for cp3.
   What are your thoughts and possible moves for the Knicks?

   • Alex Kennedy

     First of all, Brandon Roy cannot be bought out unless the new collective bargaining agreement includes an amnesty clause. Also, that’s assuming Portland would want to waive Roy and sign the huge check to make him go away. Second, Wilson Chandler signed a one-year deal in China, where there are no NBA opt-out clauses. Because of this, he’s stuck in China until his team’s season comes to an end. The earliest that could happen is March. Finally, the Hornets aren’t giving away Chris Paul for Chauncey Billups and Landry Fields. Other than that, you’re moves look good! New York will have some options once the lockout ends, but don’t expect a ton of splashy moves.

7. anthony

   If what steve kyler says is true the players will have to essentially accept 53 on bri and a hard cap. Or 50 on bri and a soft cap. Let’s be honest we know it will end up there sooner or later so why don’t the players just say alright 50 and a soft cap and just move on rather than miss money they will never see again?

   • Alex Kennedy

     I think that’s what will happen eventually, but they don’t want to give in just yet. They’re still negotiating and trying to get out of this on top. However, I don’t think the players can outlast the owners here.

8. h

   Do you know anything of the latest proposal from the owners? Also, am I the only one that thinks that whenever this lockout is over (which I hope and believe will be before the middle of Oct but thats more of an optimistic guess) that we’re gonna see a few days of just awesome basketball news with all the free agent movement, trades and training camps?

   • Alex Kennedy

     The owners haven’t presented a new proposal, but made several revisions to their last offer. Basically, they would be willing to move away from capping salaries at $2 billion a year and seem willing to change their stance on how revenue will be split. These aren’t huge changes, but it should be enough to get the talks going again. I completely agree that we’ll have several days of fun once this lockout comes to an end. That’s exactly what happened when the NFL lockout ended because teams had to sign free agents in a hurry before camps started. This year’s free agent class isn’t full of star power like last year’s, but it’ll still be exciting because the entire period will take place over the course of a few days.

9. Mac

   If you were Darly Morey and were offered Al Jefferson for Kevin Martin straight up. Do you accept?

   • Alex Kennedy

     No. I’ve been told more than once that Jefferson has attitude problems and a bad work ethic. Martin is the exact opposite and Morey loves him.

10. Mac

    If you were starting a team from scratch, which big man would you prefer: Andrew Bogut, Andrew Bynum, or Joakim Noah

    • Alex Kennedy

      I’d go with Andrew Bynum, even though he’s battled plenty of injuries since entering the league. He’s three years younger than Bogut and Noah, and he has much more upside than either player.

11. Charlie from Philadelphia

    Grant Hill is now 38 and one of the oldest players in the NBA. The betting line is set at 65 games played next year (assuming an 82 game season). Over or under?

    • Alex Kennedy

      If he’s in Phoenix, I’ll go over. If he signs elsewhere, I’ll go under. Since joining the Suns four years ago, Hill has played in 70, 82, 81 and 80 games. Phoenix is known for having the best trainers in the league so I give them credit for his recent durability.

12. Carlos arroyo

    What sg you think the bulls would start when the lockout ends!? Do we got ay chance of getting mayo?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I think they should start Ronnie Brewer. He played well toward the end of the season and received the minutes during the playoffs. His minutes increased during each round of the postseason while Keith Bogan’s minutes decreased. Unless they can sign someone else, I think Brewer should be the starter.

      O.J. Mayo played well during the postseason and the Grizzlies say they’re no longer shopping him. If he were to be moved, the Bulls would have to give up a significant piece to acquire him.

13. Mac

    A report was just published on HoopsWorld stating current NBA player Kris Humpries was “such a jerk” during his recruitment to KU, the Kansas Jayhawks players all told head coach Roy Williams they can’t sign this guy (who even agreed). Apparently Kris told the team he would lead them in points during his freshman season, and that everyone else needed to take a back seat.
    Does this characterization of Kris ring of the truth to you?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I’ve heard some similar stories about Kris. I know people who worked with him at the the IMG Academy, University of Minnesota and throughout his NBA career. While I wouldn’t go as far as calling him an “absolute jerk” like that article did, I would say that he has a reputation for being high maintenance and a history of rubbing people the wrong way. I haven’t spoken to Kris in about a year so that may have changed as he grew up and matured, but that’s how he has been perceived in the past.