NBA Chat With Anthony Macri 11/27/12

1. B. Carroll

   When you are doing your analysis of how good a player is or can be: how much does pain tolerance factor in to your evaluation of any player? Players like Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis look like 5 star players – but, in my opinion, their inability to play through pain have to be a red flag when evaluating their long term potential. How much do you value durability in assessing talent at the NBA level?

   • Anthony Macri

     Happy Tuesday everybody! Plenty to chat about in the NBA as we get ready to hit December. It’s been almost a month! Doesn’t that mean we should know who is going to win the title? Let’s try to figure it out this hour.

     I think durability is an interesting question. I look at a guy like Greg Oden and obviously durability has been the big issue with him over his career. However, there was really no reason to think durability was a problem before he arrived in the NBA. As I remember, he competed for a national title with a broken hand and performed pretty well. Sometimes guys are just plain unlucky. I think it is fair to look at this issue, but I think basing entire evaluations on it is a recipe for disaster, because you’ll be wrong more often then you’re right.

2. Cain

   How good can Lance Stephenson be? He reminds me of Tyreke Evans with a better jumper, he was a top prospect with Wall just 2 and a half years ago.

   • Anthony Macri

     He’s been a lot better this season than either of his first two. I don’t know that I’m ready to move him into a starting role yet but solid bench contributor is certainly right on. It is amazing to me that he is only 22 – I feel like he’s been around a lot longer, but that is probably because he was talked about way back in like middle school as being the next big thing. If he keeps scoring efficiently and rebounding tough, then I like him a lot and think he can have a long, productive career.

3. Cain

   Ar the Pacers just simply missing a pure PG? They are built like Memphis apart from pass first guard.

   • Anthony Macri

     Not sure that’s it. While I agree their roster has some resemblance to Memphis’ roster, which starter on the Pacers would you take over his corresponding starter on the Grizzlies? I just don’t think they are as good at each position, and they are probably missing a top notch lead guard as well.

4. Aristotle

   Would Al Jefferson be the kind of C that Portland needs next to Lamarcus for the Blazers to excel? Could it work out or has Portland invested too much money in Batum and Aldridge to afford Jefferson?

   • Anthony Macri

     I’m not a fan of putting a space-eater next to Aldridge. Would prefer a guy who can stretch it a little bit and unlock the floor for Lillard and Batum to drive. I don’t think Hickson is a bad fit, honestly. The biggest problem is they are getting absolutely nothing from their bench – need more talent there to compete, and not necessarily star talent.

5. Aristotle

   Hey Coach

   How late in the season can Miami sign a few big men to have spare to take on the likes of the Playoff teams they’ll face? And who do you sign? Bring back Big Ben?

   • Anthony Macri

     I wouldn’t make any decisions like that until after the trade deadline. Re-assess constantly and don’t get wrapped up in winning games now. The point is to be peaking in May.

6. LA in LA

   Hey Coach, do you believe in Memphis long term? As a legit Final contender? I think with their size and defense, they have the best shot of any team outside of a potential healthy Lakers team (that I presume will play D).
   Sure they don’t have anything close to a Lebron stopper but I think they can limit Bosh and Wade.

   • Anthony Macri

     I am buying Memphis. Love how hard they play and their unselfish and workmanlike approach on the offensive end. Rudy Gay has been mature and impressive. I think the Lakers will get it together but OKC is better positioned to make a run than either LA group.

     By the way, I don’t think anyone is a LeBron stopper, so why bother trying? I’d be working at frustrating Wade, keeping Bosh from making an overwhelming impact, and taking care of the ball against Miami’s defense so they can’t make turnovers into easy points.

7. clippzmare

   Would a new arena and name for the clippers be better for the laker clippz rivalry? How about dropping los angeles ,build.a gym in hollywood and name them hollywood clippers?

   • Anthony Macri

     I like San Diego Clippers a lot more than Los Angeles Clippers. LAC should look at all the success the former New Jersey (now Brooklyn) Nets have had with their rebranding project. Everyone should do it! We even did it with the ABL (http://www.aseanbasketballleague.com).

     As long as they don’t become the Hollywood Stars or something. That would be cheesy.

     Quick LAC renaming contest in the comments! No prize except the enduring love of HOOPSWORLD readers everywhere… let’s see your suggestions in the comments below.

8. stephen

   As a lifelong bets fan I’d like to set the record straight on Brooke Lopez. Yes, he averages awful rebounding numbers….HOWEVER, it had always been because he leaves the paint to contest every shit he can, boxes the shooter or best rebounder he can get to, and leaves Humphries the board. Do you agree*

   • Anthony Macri

     I think Dwight Howard does all the stuff you just said Brook does, and has led the league in rebounding. So no, I don’t agree. I think Brook in the past has not turned 50/50 balls into 80/20 balls and generally speaking did not exert himself to get into great position after making a single play. However, he has certainly been better this year. That is a tentative topic for my Coach’s Notebook this week. Watched the Nets / Knicks last night and will try to watch them again before my next article.

9. Peter

   2 questions for you today. One don’t you think Delonte West would be a great fit on this Lakers squad. I think they could get em for the minimum and he is much better then Blake, Duhon or Morris. He’s good insurance for the Nash injury and I think he could be a nice piece off their bench especially with their lack of scoring and playmaking. Also Kobe and Nash could keep his crazy self in check just like Artest. Second question how crazy would it be if the Clippers went after Phil Jackson next summer if Clips underachieve this year? I think Phil would like the incentives of coaching Blake and CP3 in the same city as the Lakers who just recently embarrassed him. The media would have a field day!

   • Anthony Macri

     On your first point, I like sane and productive Delonte West on nearly every team in the league, Lakers included. He is just a unique kind of talent when he isn’t acting like a crazy person. I just wish they could find a way to bring in someone better than Metta World Peace who is awful.

     While I think it’d be entertaining, I don’t know that it’s a great roster for Phil Jackson to coach. CP3 is a little more hands on, and I can’t imagine either Deandre Jordan or Blake Griffin in the post and passing to split cutting teammates. Maybe I’m over-thinking it though.

10. Bryan

    How do you feel about this trade idea, The Mavs send Shawn Marion future pics and Beaubois or Crowder to the Hawks for Josh Smith?

    • Anthony Macri

      What’s the reason that Atlanta would find that a better offer than any other they can get for Josh Smith?

11. Silassie

    Hi Coach.

    I know this isn’t your job but maybe you can relay this to the techie guys at Hoops World. I click on articles and I can’t read them until the ad plays but the ad won’t play so I can’t read the articles at all. If this is a problem with your website I thought you guys should know.

    Aside from that, what is your take on the slide from the Clips? Losing to OKC is ok, they are elite and you can’t win them all. But from there on out the team seemed to play worse and worse and the bench pretty much went into melt down against the Hawks (zone maybe?). And then to top it off we lost to a team that was missing two of its stars and have been on a dire losing streak (Hornets).

    Is this just a blip or is something seriously wrong at Lob City?

    • Anthony Macri

      Thanks for the heads up on your technical issues. I’ll mention it to the guys – not sure what can be done but at least they’ll know!

      I think it’s a little bit of a blip. Give it another week or ten days. If the blip extends beyond, then it becomes a trend and I get worried. I did not watch their game last night but I’ll try to catch them again later this week. My guess is they get it figured out a little bit.

12. lakers#1 Fan

    Hey Coach, hope all is well oversees! 2 questions for you. Heard on your competitors website that Del Negro is on his way out and that the Clip’s have reached out to Phil and are working towards an agreement. Next many rumors about Gasol being traded. have you heard anything? If so which one (rumor) is most likely? Thanks!

    • Anthony Macri

      Gasol situation seems more likely to me because they need to make a change to contend. LAC will contend even without making a change at the top – not saying they couldn’t perform better with someone else, I’m not sure about that. They’ve never been the kind of franchise to make those kind of changes, but when you finally have the horses you want to make sure you’ve got the right trainer.

      Looks like I’ve got a few minutes left and plenty of room in the queue for your questions – submit them now!!!

13. Quai

    Hey Coach,
    With Favors & Kanter only getting better, would it be smart for Utag to trade Jefferson or Millsap sooner than later? That way there would be more co-hesion among the new teammates around playoff time.

    • Anthony Macri

      I’m not sure that I’d be too active in shopping them (hard to get max value then) but I certainly would listen for all available deals. I also wonder if they should be moving both at the same time or stagger their departure a little bit. I guess that would depend on what you are getting in return… and I’m not sure Kanter is quite ready to assume a monster load right now. Favors seems to be much more prepared, however.

14. alex

    Hey Coach. Huge raptors fan. I was wondering which small forward or 2 guard would you try and trade for if you were BC. Do you think Demar Derozan would be better off playing SF. Could this work. thank so much.

    • Anthony Macri

      My gut is that he is better off at the SF slot than the shooting guard slot, and getting a more natural shooter / ball-handler might be better for them at this stage. The real question is what kind of player could they actually get and what would it take to get him… suggestions in the comments please!

15. Ludwig

    what about my kings? is a deal around saölmons and jimmer enough to get a starting caliber small forward? or should they draft one?

    • Anthony Macri

      Put yourself in the psoition of a team with an NBA-average quality starting small forward. If someone offered you that package, do you take it? I tend to be skeptical. Of course, the draft option is not a lot better, because there does seem to be quite a bit of luck involved. I’d listen for some kind of equitable trade, but be prepared to draft the best available player. Not sure the Kings are in a position to be both beggars and choosers.

16. JR

    Where do you think Eric Bledsoe will be next year. He looks like a prospect that is going to get a lot of interest.

    • Anthony Macri

      I’m going to try to watch him more over the next few weeks. Hope to have a report soon.

17. Alex

    So much talk in the preseason was how Paul George was going to break out. With him not being as efficient as he is with Danny Granger in the lineup. Is it safe to assume he is just a role player and will never reach that star potential?

    • Anthony Macri

      Don’t assume too quickly. That Nic Batum fellow is doing well – sometimes the situation only needs time and the right fit to blossom. I’d be willing to work with Paul George if I was his coaching staff – him having to adjust to the team’s best scorer not being around is allowed to take some time.

      Alright folks, that just about does it for me… enjoy this last week of November, and I’ll be back next week for another chat. In the meantime, I should have a new article late this week… talk soon!