NBA Chat With Anthony Macri 10/31/11

Coach Anthony Macri is Director of Business Development and a Player Development Consultant for the Pro Training Center. Anthony works closely with NBA trainer David Thorpe, and writes the weekly Coach’s Notebook column for HOOPSWORLD. Coach Macri gets started at 3pm EST every Monday.

  1. Don-Don

    Do the Spurs have a good shot at landing Dwight (by any means)?

    • Anthony Macri

      Happy Monday everybody! We had random snow this weekend here in the DC area – it has melted away but I’m worried it is a portend of things to come this winter. Getting ready to take my kids out later today for Trick or Treating… but for now, let’s get to your questions!!!

      I think Dwight staying in Orlando is more likely than nearly any other scenario. I think him winding up in Los Angeles (either Lakers or Clippers) is possible, but unlikely. The new CBA will likely have a provision that makes it highly unprofitable for stars to leave their teams. Not sure how the Spurs would really make room for him, anyway.

  2. Jon-Jon

    What are OKC’s weakpoints?

    • Anthony Macri

      Experience on the big stage is probably their biggest weakness. I don’t necessarily think their roster needs a ton of movement – especially if Harden continues to improve and impress. I think they could use more depth in the frontcourt as well, but the main thing they need is what comes from an experience like they had last year in the playoffs. Westbrook and Durant both have things to learn on how to be the stars on a championship team: Westbrook how to better integrate what he does into a team dynamic, and Durant how to be even more assertive and leave an imprint of his own personality on the game.

  3. Antonette

    What non-playoff team do you think will become a playoff team this upcoming season?

    • Anthony Macri

      Houston and Utah are the teams that come to mind as potential playoff teams for 2012 that didn’t make it in 2011. Not sure anyone in the East really has a shot.

  4. Dong of Dayton

    Hello Anthony,

    Danny Granger seems to have cooled of since his all star appearance. Is production leveling off or can he take it to another level?

    • Anthony Macri

      I think it is mainly a result of two things, first, teams are more prepared for him than they were during his All Star appearance, and they are gameplanning for him. Second, I think the Pacers have more weapons that are better able to get the job done on the court. That means they don’t have to rely on Granger as much, which is a good thing. I think he can take it to another level by leading his team to more wins and maybe a first round playoff win.

  5. Matt

    During the 90′s we saw centers like Hakeem, Ewing, O’neal etc. have careers that lasted over 10 years. Today we see centers really stuggling, and the most promising have been badly injured (Oden, Ming for example). What effect does higher tempo in NBA today have on this evolution in your opnion? Are there any other aspects to be considered?

    • Anthony Macri

      The style of play might have something to do with it – but I think the bigger thing going on is that a lot of today’s power forwards that are so good would have been centers growing up a few years ago (like KG and others). Players just tend to be more perimeter-oriented today than they were, and the days of multiple true centers are probably over.

  6. Charlie

    In his chat, Bill Ingram stated an Aaron Brooks/Tyreke Evans would be a solid backcourt pairing. Going as far as saying “Aaron would be crazy good next to Tyreke.” Do you agree? Or is this pairing too undersized and would be exposed on defense?

    • Anthony Macri

      I think they might kill each other rather than play well together, personally. I also think shot selection would be a major issue for that backcourt, as I think both players take way too many hard shots instead of creating easy ones for themselves or others.

  7. Mark

    Do you think Toronto should amnesty Calderon, Klieza or neither?

    • Anthony Macri

      If teams are able to hold on to the amnesty clause, I would be more likely to hold it and maybe use it on Kleiza next offseason. If I’m not able to keep it, I might use it on Calderon right away (and probably would).

  8. Mark

    Do you see the Mavs, Lakers, Boston, Spurs etc. using the amnesty clause on a player in their rotation? In the case of Haywood, Jefferson or Meta cutting them wouldn’t get their teams down under the tax (most likely) so it won’t actually free up space but it will weaken the team.

    • Anthony Macri

      Again, the big question is whether they can use the Amnesty provision over the life of the CBA or if it is this offseason only. I don’t know that Jefferson would be a real candidate, as I think they just re-did his contract (am I right on that?). I don’t like amnesty-ing a guy like Haywood who I think is nearly worth the money he is being paid, but just happens to have a guy who plays well taking up the spot. I would hold that provision if possible and use it in a future year.

  9. Mark

    Is it just me or do you think Kaman is still wearing a Clipper uniform after the trade deadline?

    • Anthony Macri

      Seems unlikely. I don’t think he fits the way they will want to play, and he has value in the market.

  10. Mark

    Of the likely amnesty cut PG’s who do you think is the best fit for the Lakers and Miami? Arenas, Calderon, B Diddy, others?

    • Anthony Macri

      Calderon in both cases, most likely. I think Arenas is a waste and falling quickly, and I have a tough time throwing support behind Baron Davis for the same reasons.

  11. Mark

    Is Miami’s biggest need PG or Center?

    • Anthony Macri

      Tend to think athletic center or wing shooter. I don’t think point guard is as big a need – but that’s partly a function of what I’d be asking LeBron and Dwyane Wade to do (more initiation of the offense in transition).

  12. Anthony

    Would you say that JR Smith and LeBron James are both elite ball handlers for their position? I am starting to think that people are confusing a good first step with ball handling.

    • Anthony Macri

      I look for effectiveness when it comes to ball handling, not necessarily quantity of moves or some other measurable. Both those guys use good change of speed to set up defenders, which is a lot more important to me. I would not list either as a great ball-handler in either case, but they are reasonably effective. I like LeBron at his position more than I like JR Smith at his.

  13. cj

    Other than Lamarcus Aldridge who do you believe will make their first all-star appearance this year?

    • Anthony Macri

      John Wall has a good shot at it. Would have to look at a list of guys who haven’t been All-Stars to go into more depth. That is a good article idea though! Mark that one down for a few weeks from now.

  14. matthew

    How can we expect a deal to get done if the union wont go below 52 and the league wont go higher than 50/50?

    • Anthony Macri

      Cause eventually one or the other will move. I have a feeling as to which one it will be, but I won’t mention here (hint: it’s not the owners).

  15. Ghandi

    How would you feel about the NBA going to a totally uncapped system? Much like baseball has.

    • Anthony Macri

      I would need to know the other pieces of the puzzle to know if I like it. I don’t understand how that could save the NBA, though – how does it not exacerbate the problems the owners say they are having right now?

  16. Ghandi

    If you had Milwaukee’s personnel, what would be your gameplan on defending Derrick Rose? Both in general and in pick and roll coverage

    • Anthony Macri

      Against the pick & roll, I’m going to string him out a fair amount (meaning a soft hedge that attempts to prevent him from turning the corner), and then recover with my big and force them to use multiple passes to get good looks at the basket. In general, I am playing him mostly straight up, but occasionally sending a double team at him after he initiates the dribble but before he attacks. Once he goes into attack mode, our normal help and recover rules would apply. I would also pressure him a little in the backcourt with the hope of inducing fatigue late in games.

  17. Anthony

    It you were coaching Kevin Love, what would you focus on? Also, I’m curious, what should the wolves do to build their team post CBA? I’d love to see a Ty chandler or d Jordan type to clean up for those scorers.

    • Anthony Macri

      I think he could slim out a little bit and get a little more bouncy without losing any of his strength or toughness. I’d also like to work on his triple-threat attack, as I think he can be pretty effective out of face up spots. I like your direction in general for the Wolves, though I am also curious to see what we have. Lots of respect for Adelman to figure things out.

  18. Ghandi

    How evil is college basketball?

    • Anthony Macri

      Not very evil at all – that implies it has some nefarious intent. The results of the way things are set up may be less than savory, but college basketball itself is just sports entertainment.

  19. john

    how would you improve the raptors via trades?

    • Anthony Macri

      Can’t say until we see the new CBA. Bargnani might be involved, though.

  20. matt

    The Magic without Dwight would be worse than my raptors.

    • Anthony Macri

      Assuming they get no one else of value, that seems very likely.

  21. matt

    Harrington and Gallinari for Bargnani.

    • Anthony Macri

      I’m not sure that’s enough value for Bargnani, who I think is worth more in the open market.

  22. Jermaine

    Players shouldnt be forced to play on teams that get no better year after year..just do the sign and trade dont force him to stay or there will be players who are only giving the team like 20%.

    • Anthony Macri

      If players want guaranteed contracts that have to be paid when they don’t perform / get injured / etc., they have to be willing to stay in places they may not want to be in an ideal world. That’s the tradeoff. Having said that, teams should really be evaluating the best bang for their buck based on the attitudes of their players on a year-by-year basis.

  23. John

    Hi Anthony, how would the lottery play out if there isnt a season at all. Also, who do you see being the number 1 pick and is college basketball worth watching this year?

    • Anthony Macri

      Decisions on how the entire draft order would be set would have to be enumerated in the next CBA – there is no real precedent for the situation, so your guess is as good as mine. As for the #1 pick, I have heard such amazing things about Anthony Davis that I think he is the early favorite. I think Harrison Barnes will have a fantastic year for UNC and give Davis a run for his money, though. College basketball is definitely worth watching this year: there are guys who could be franchise changers in at least the first 10-15 picks. Not kidding.

      That does it for me today – time to run. I will be back next Monday to chat, but in the meantime, check out my Coach’s Notebook column this Thursday, when I talk about evaluating physical gifts as it relates to potential NBA prospects. Until then…. see you next time!