NBA Chat With Anthony Macri 09/04/12

Coach Anthony Macri writes the weekly Coach’s Notebook column for HOOPSWORLD and is the newly appointed CEO of the ASEAN Basketball League, the first regional professional sports league in Southeast Asia. Coach Macri gets started at his new time of 10am EST every Tuesday.

  1. WBS

    You recently indicated you were not enamored with the Laker roster after the first four. Can you elaborate? Seems Metta, Jamison, Meeks, Hill, ebanks, blake aren’t that bad.

    • Anthony Macri

      Happy Tuesday everybody! It’s the day after Labor Day and we are less than 60 days from the start of the new NBA season… plenty of questions abound regarding the Lakers and other topics. Let’s jump to them!

      I feel that Metta is a shadow of his former self and would likely not be a starter on 4/5 of the teams in the league. Jamison has to prove he can play. The other guys are ok (Blake is eh but fine in limited role), but nothing special. I don’t see any of those guys as being title-winners off the bench. The Lakers will live and die with the top four – and a very good top four it is!

  2. Peter

    Hey Coach, Had nothing to do last night and was watching some old T-Mac vids on youtube. Man i really miss that old McGrady! Do you think he and Carmelo Anthony are very similar players in terms of their style? Melo is athletic but prefers to take jump shots just like T-mac. They are both exceptional one on one players and are natural scorers.

    • Anthony Macri

      Tracy McGrady was significantly more gifted off the bounce and more creative / explosive than Carmelo. Melo’s midrange game and catch and shoot game, particularly off of screening action, is way better than McGrady’s was. I tended personally to like McGrady’s game more because I think he could do more things on the court than Carmelo.

  3. PC

    How you doing coach? Do you think NBA teams should start giving college/university coaches a chance to caoch at the highest level? Coaching and playing are 2 completely different skills. One can be a great player but may not possess the qualities to teach. Hence, hiring former NBA players may not be the best option. I think coaches with high level education (i.e. Masters degree) and extensive coaching experience at a collegiate level should be given a shot in the NBA. Your thoughts?

    • Anthony Macri

      To be a successful NBA coach, you have to really desire coaching at that level. Coaching pros is not the same as coaching college kids. However, some college coaches are infinitely more suited to coach at the pro level than they are at the college level. I would be more open to many college coaches than I would to NBA retreads who I don’t think can bring the right mentality necessary to connect to today’s pros. In short – definitely giving the college coach a shot, provided that coach is really ready to make the pro leap.

  4. Zeesah

    Tyreke Evans is a FA next offseason right? The inly 2 destinations i see him going to are staying in SAC or going to CHI. I think the Bulls have a solid chance at Tyreke cuz he has size to play D, Bulls need a second option, and Tyreke comes $4-6M cheaper than Ellis or Harden. The Bulls dont have the money now but they have amnesty provision and they dont have to resign some if their FA’s. Also, Tyreke is UNHAPPY in Kings. Your thoughts???????

    • Anthony Macri

      It certainly seems that could be a fit. I’m not sure he’s the right kind of shooter that would be best paired with Derrick Rose but he does fit for some of the reasons you mentioned. I’d prefer him next to a guy that can really shoot it, like Steph Curry (at least in theory). Chicago wouldn’t be the worst place in the world, however. They have some retooling to do, given their roster uncertainties.

  5. Wil

    Hi Coach, for the Blazers, what do you see as the floor/ceiling for Leonard and Lillard. And as a Coach, would you be worried about the lack of depth at C or would you be comfortable with the platoon of PFs?

    • Anthony Macri

      I love, love, love Lillard. I’m not sure how he fits with Leonard at this point (just want to see their on-court chemistry for a bit first). However, I would put the ball in Lillard’s hands and trust that the right things would happen a lot of the time. Not too concerned about the center depth. Platoon of power forwards is fine in today’s NBA.

  6. The Philippine Eagle

    Is it legal to shot fake your last free throw shot? And for what reason one would do that?

    • Anthony Macri

      I have no reason why a guy would do that, and I believe it is actually a violation to ‘shot fake’ a free throw, as it throws off the players on the lane and can cause early entry violations. Patrick Ewing and Shaq used to get called for this violation from time to time, as I remember.

  7. Rory

    Anthony, love your chats, big OKC fan, if harden and OKC cant get deal done, do u see draft day trade for Shabuzz Muhammed?? alotta scouts tabbing him as JH 2.0 (lefty, similar height/build, high volume scorers) would allow us to avoid luxury tax, and resign maynor and hope he, jones and shabuzz can carry the bench for another couple of years?

    • Anthony Macri

      I like Muhammad a fair amount though I don’t think he’s quite as shifty as Harden. Harden plays the game at a great pace to set up his change of speed actions. I don’t think Muhammad is quite the same level on that score. I think your move might be a good one though just from a future assets perspective. Let’s see how Muhammad does this year, and this can be a solid backup option as necessary.

  8. Jake Springer (Go Cavs!)

    How well do you see Dion Waiters playing this year? And speaking of potential, do you see Tristan Thompson making big strides in his 2nd year? Love your chats!

    • Anthony Macri

      I’m back and forth on Dion Waiters. He seems to me to be a inconsistent kind of guy at the NBA level. But I think there are enough long term pieces in Cleveland for him to be successful. Yes I see big things out of Thompson this year, particularly as the season hits its midpoint and beyond. Year 3 will be a particularly important year in his development next season, but let’s see how far he can get now!

  9. Charlie

    What do you think of the possible Andre Blatche / Brooklyn rumor. The Nets are awfully thin up front: Lopez, Hump, Teletovic and Evans. Is this a good insurance policy or subtraction by addition because he is such a knucklehead?

    • Anthony Macri

      My opinion on Blatche has been and will remain “knucklehead” until he proves otherwise. Not sure his talent helps them win games even if he WASN’T a knucklehead.

  10. LA in LA

    When you say that you don’t like the Lakers perimeter defense, are you referring to Nash and Blake’s lackluster defense? Because I feel confident in Kobe (when he puts in the effort), MWP, Meeks (not good man-to-man but good off-ball) and Ebanks perimeter defense…

    • Anthony Macri

      MWP’s defense has been by reputation only for the last 3 or 4 seasons. He is no where near the defender he was. Meeks is ok, and I like Ebanks. I also think Kobe can be fine but he tends to get caught up in this one-on-one stopper stuff and ignore some of his other responsibilities. I definitely think Nash is an issue, same with MWP. Quick backcourts have the ability to give them major issues.

  11. Sweet Dee

    Tyreke Evans is asked to play out of position by the Sacramento Kings, trying SF due to the play of Marcus Thorton. Instead why is the possibility of him playing the 6th man role not discussed (ala Jason Terry + James Harden)? And if you were in charge, would you start him at the 3 or first guard off the bench. Justify your decision.

    • Anthony Macri

      Justify my decision? What is this, a 6th grade essay?

      I am fine with him in either role, I’m not sure it would make a big difference to the way he plays. That also means I am likely to give it a try with him coming off the bench. It’s not necessarily a “good” reason, but sometimes a change like that can liberate a player, where he can really focus on what is happening on the floor before taking part in the action.

  12. glen

    Do you think that Galinari is looking to be a starter as oppose to be 6th man for the Nuggets. He would fit really nicely in NOH PHI SAC WAS…They have Corey Brewer,Iggy,Chandler and QMiller…

    • Anthony Macri

      Galinari can do things those other guys can’t. He will get chances because of that. Being able to shoot like that can go a long way.

  13. ???

    if this the draft jordan,magic,shaq,kareem,bird,kobe,lebron who’s your 1st pick and 2nd pick.

    import and naturalize player is the same?

    how many naturalize player can get by a country to play in fiba/olympics

    • Anthony Macri

      You talking about guys in their prime? Jordan, Magic, Kareem, Bird, Shaq, and then Kobe or LeBron would be my order right now – though I think LeBron can move up that list into the top four or so. Not certain on Olympics rules… as for FIBA, it depends on what kind of competitions you are talking about – national team, club championships, etc.

  14. WIZARD

    Where would you rank coach wittman and gm grunfeld(both wizards)?In top of nba,middle,bottom of nba in these category?

    • Anthony Macri

      Couldn’t say on Wittman, I need more information. Ernie Grunfeld I would put in the lower third in terms of achievement for the last few years. He can redeem himself now with recent moves, since he was able to ship Blatche and McGee out – if he can get the roster functioning correctly, he should and will get props.

  15. Luka

    Who would you rather have wall or kyrie?

    • Anthony Macri

      Given all available evidence, Kyrie. Wall could have a breakout year coming up though and force me to change my mind. But it would have be some kind of special.

  16. james

    I really like the rookies branes and lamb do you think they can become all stars

    • Anthony Macri

      Lamb is a question mark still. I think he could be good but he needs to prove consistency. All Star is certainly possible if he can get his situation squared away. I could see a trajectory similar to Paul George (not comparing their talents, just their career arc – we don’t know where Paul George will be in 2-3 years, same as Lamb).

      Barnes however I think is going to be really good. All-Star is definitely in the cards. Love the way he plays with tempo and change of speed. Just plays like he knows hat he is doing.

  17. Phil

    What do you think sepearates great players from the others? In your experience how is there work habits or dedication different.

    • Anthony Macri

      A borderline psychotic desire to be the best is a common quality among the great ones.

  18. kimba

    Hi Coach, Everybody compares Lebron James game to magic but I feel that his game is much more similar to clyde drexler! Both of the guys attacked the rim aggressively, reb, and pass the ball exceptionally. What are your thoughts?

    • Anthony Macri

      I don’t think Clyde was anywhere near the passer than LeBron is. But that’s why LeBron is top ten all-time and Clyde isn’t. Thinking of him as a mix of Clyde and Magic might be ok. I’d have to think about that a bit more, but I do tire of the comparisons to Magic… LeBron’s mix of strength and explosiveness is out of this world (and Magic’s on-court leadership is plenty impressive).

      Ok folks, that does it for me this week. Hope all are doing well and see you next time!