NBA Chat With Anthony Macri 11/29/11

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 his new time of 11am EST every Tuesday.

  1. dyrese

    now that the lockout is over will jerome jordan be joinings the knicks or will he play overseas?

    • Anthony Macri

      Happy Tuesday morning everybody! I’m here at my new chat day and time, hoping to discuss some NBA with everybody. Lo and behold, there is a season to be had after all! Plenty to discuss, let’s get right to it.

      Could not tell you Jerome Jordan’s individual plans but I would expect most NBA players to find their way back to the league pretty quickly, provided they didn’t sign in China with no escape til the end of the season there. Jordan should not be any different.

  2. dyrese

    what do you think about josh harrelson i think he can be a good pf/c he has desire to play hard any projections on what he play like?i see him as the guy who will do all the dirtywork

    • Anthony Macri

      I think he is a solid guy who will earn rotation minutes and have a long career. 6’10 guys that can handle the ball enough to not make bad decisions in screen roll and dribble handoff situations are rare, and he also has some size to boot. He isn’t a scoring threat in the post, but he doesn’t have to be, on the right team, he can give a little versatility along with his size.

  3. Efren23

    What do you think Of this schedule breakdown or the 66 games
    There are 30 teams (given).
    Playing 2 games against all 29 teams one home one away equals 58 games. You have 8 games left to complete 66 game season. The last 8 games can be played against their own division one at home and one away for total of 4 against there division like in the regular 82 games season and that will total 66 games and you get it see every team and make it as real as the 82 game season.
    My concern as a clipper season ticket holder is there is only 18 games against east and I pay over 20k in season tickets I was just concerned cuz I might now see Knicks celtics heat bulls magic etc at home and that’s one main reason I have great seats and have season tickets! Is there anyway to file complain with league cuz I know they don’t refund you! I’m a little upset:( !

    • Anthony Macri

      I think conference affiliations should have some meaning as well. It’s ultimately hard because the divisions don’t all line up evenly. Ultimately I think they are trying to get as many games into the schedule as they can for this year in order to create revenue. I do tend to favor less games with a little more even spread – not sure if your proposal is exactly what I’d be looking for. As for complaining about your ticket package, you can always do that – not sure it will get you very far, however.

  4. matt from Oz

    Hey Anthony,
    Stoked to here that BBall is (pretty much) back!

    i’ve asked previously about possibility of Josh Smith to the Nets, with D12 to sign there next season (because of their friendship).

    Could something similar be possible with the Wizards? with sign and trades possible for the next 2 seasons, could the Wizards possibly make a package of around JaAvale McGee, a s&t player and picks for D-12? are the Wizards a big enough market for Dwight? or could they instead trade JaVale + Player for Josh Smith and sign D-12 as a free agent?

    a lot of questions, i know, just a thought.

    cheers Jas.

    • Anthony Macri

      Interesting thoughts. The most important thing when it comes to Dwight’s situation now is the exact wording in the CBA and the way they can structure sign & trades, etc. I certainly hope that a friendship with Josh Smith is not what gets Dwight Howard to leave one place to go to another, and I’m not sure McGee will ever have enough value as a piece in a trade for Howard. The other idea for a trade, however, is interesting – getting Josh Smith for JaVale and then looking to get Howard the other way. I want to see what Vesely can do a little first, but that is definitely worth considering. I hate making trades that then require to make three or four other deals – it isn’t easy to predict all the moving parts.

  5. matt from Oz

    Hey Tony,
    Another trade scenario.
    Big C’s fan, not sure if i love this one, but want your thoughts -

    Celtics – Trade Rondo + Sign and trade Jeff Green

    Utah – Trades Devin Harris + Al Jefferson

    it seems the C’s might consider shopping Rondo for scoring presence, and Utah may be shopping Al Jeff to make room for their youngsters.

    is it possible? Does it work?

    cheers.

    • Anthony Macri

      Hate it for C’s. Not sure if it works. I don’t really like either Harris or Jefferson all that much to want to trade Rondo, who I like a lot.

  6. Dong of Dayton

    Hello Again Anthony,

    I’m on the fence about picking up Marc Gasol on my fantasy team. His numbers dropped from 09-10 but dominated in the playoffs. What’s your outlook for Marc assuming he stays in Memphis? Will he be included more in the offense like in the playoffs?

    • Anthony Macri

      Gotta look in Rudy Gay’s direction here. Is he ready to compete at a high level again and do they keep him or move him to give room to some of their other pieces? I think he’s a valuable pickup but it depends on what role you expect him to have for you in Fantasy. I’m not a Fantasy basketball expert, so you’d be better asking this Q to someone else who is.

  7. Rafi

    Morning coach! A lot of teams will have to prepare for the season on the fly. How would you set up training camp if you don’t know your entire personnel / some players are in excellent shape and others are out of shape?

    • Anthony Macri

      So much of it depends on whether you expect to contend and how much work you have to do to get into contention. My fall-back theory is to always teach to the head of the class and let everyone else catch-up with regard to conditioning / strategy. Sometimes that works beautifully, other times not so much. I will offer some more thoughts on this in my next Coach’s Notebook this Thursday, along with some observations on Kendall Marshall.

  8. Ken

    Hey Coach, If you were a GM shopping for a big, who would have more trade value? Paul Millsap or Al Jefferson? What could the Jazz expect to see in a trade involving one of those players. I don’t think that Jazz would trade them both, but who knows.

    • Anthony Macri

      I like Milsap because he can do more than score, and he can guard at least slightly better. He should also give you better bang for the buck than Jefferson.

  9. Steve

    Coach,
    If the NBA players start now, can most be in game shape by Christmas?

    • Anthony Macri

      If they came in off of doing absolutely no work for the last 6 months, then no, they would not be into tip top shape until at least 10 weeks in. If they were doing work, as I outlined in my ‘how players should use the offseason’ article, then they can be in shape well before Christmas. My guess is most guys will be in shape by around January 15 or the end of January at the latest, except for the handful that decided to gain 25-30 lbs. Those guys might take a bit longer (if they ever make it back).

  10. devonte

    how do you feel about robin lopez to nyk via trade?

    • Anthony Macri

      Who is he being traded for? Hard to know how to feel if you don’t give me more information.

  11. devonte

    what 5 players will be in place to win ROY at the end of the season

    • Anthony Macri

      Five is a lot. Ummm… will give you two. Derrick Williams and Tristan Thompson. Thompson my prohibitive favorite at the current time.

  12. Carlos A

    Anything new on what the bulls are tryin to do in free agency or trade!? And if brandon roy get amnesty should he be bulls top priority!

    • Anthony Macri

      Roy isn’t a bad fit next to Rose, actually. I’m not against that deal as long as he is willing and able to accept a role.

  13. frank_head

    What do you think of Sam Young as a player? And what does the future hold for him in the league?

    • Anthony Macri

      Sam has always been a back-and-forth guy for me. Sometimes I love his game and what he can do for a team as a critical role-playing piece, other times I fall off the wagon and just don’t think he brings enough that is unique to really warrant a significant role. Everything about him screams average, which is both to his credit and to his detriment. Would love to see him excel in just one area above others (not sure what that area should be – that’s for him to decide).

  14. Josh

    Anthony,

    I like what the Jazz have done in terms on their draft picks and see a model much like the thunder right now assuming that their youngs develop. Now, you are hearing rumors of Jefferson, milsap, and Okur being traded. If you were GM what would be your next move for them?

    • Anthony Macri

      I want to see what I have with Kanter and Burks and then I think it is time to put some of those pieces to work as tradable assets. I think Okur could be valuable out on the market, and if you could unload Jefferson I think it’s a good idea. Would like to see a better backcourt put together – never have been a big fan of Devin Harris.

  15. Jj

    Any newS Coming out of Orlando trades , amnesty , free agency

    • Anthony Macri

      I’m not the rumors guy – sorry. Ask Steve Kyler or one of the other folks your rumors questions.

  16. Jon

    Have you heard any rumors in Phoenix? I think everyone knows getting rid of Nash just doesn’t make financial or basketball sense. What about the rest of the team? Do you see Pietrus, Warrick, or Lopez going?

    • Anthony Macri

      So hard to know what is happening in Phoenix. While getting rid of Nash doesn’t make sense, keeping him doesn’t make a lot of sense either. Tough time to be a Suns or Nash fan. I am curious to see if the amnesty provision along with the shortened and frantic free agent period makes it possible to see some things happen we might not expect. That would make it more fun, for sure.

  17. patrick

    Hi coach! Is the best plan for the Raptors this season to keep, for the most part, the same team and develop their young guys (Derozan, Bayless, Davis) while waiting for 2012-13 (i.e. Valanciunas, 1st round pick and cap space)? What about Bargnani? Keep or trade?

    • Anthony Macri

      I tend to want to keep them all, though I’m open to trading Bargnani but ONLY IF YOU GET GOOD VALUE. I think he could command a lot of value if the Raptors play their cards right.

  18. Joe

    what teams could you see taking a chance on greg oden?

    • Anthony Macri

      I think he is a great guy to take a chance on for a lot of teams. Hard to know exactly what he’d command in terms of compensation – but I think he can be productive if he can keep healthy. Since I’m of the camp that tends to believe most of his injuries are more freak situations and players can find a way to get through them to being productive if things start going right, I’d be willing to at least look at him.

  19. patrick

    After a few years away from the game, I’ve started playing pick-up games again. Feels great to get back out there but while my defense is still pretty good (it’s all about effort, even at 31) my offense is severely lacking… I just don’t have confidence at that end and, as a result, I hesitate way too much. Any tips?

    • Anthony Macri

      Play each game looking to start off with an offensive board (either a tip in or a rebound put back) if you can. By looking for something that is very specific and mostly effort related, you may find the rest of your game flows naturally from that standpoint. I really need to start playing again – hard to do as I’m both coaching a team this year and with the NBA returning – but maybe you can inspire me!

  20. englishknick

    Coach,
    Paul/Knicks chat hotting up. Many better offers out there, no doubt, but if Paul says Knicks or bust, would Chauncey/Turiaf ($18m expiring deals) plus 2 of Douglas/Shumpert/Fields (young talent), cash and the willingness to take Okafor get it done? New 150% trade value rule a big help here, no?

    • Anthony Macri

      It’s amazing that I got through the whole chat and this is the first and only CP3 question. I would love to see it happen, as many of you know I grew up a Knicks fan and seeing them competitive would make me happy. I tend to think a deal is in there somewhere, but the exact parameters are unclear. Will be interesting to see how the NBA handles a CP3 trade – weird to have the league controlling a team.

  21. Bjørn Simen Samdal

    Do you know if the Wizards are looking to get better through trades or free agency?

    • Anthony Macri

      Hope so – they have plenty of pieces that need improving.

  22. Dong of Dayton

    How do you see Jimmer doing this year?

    • Anthony Macri

      Some really big games, some non-existent games. In other words, inconsistent.

  23. matt

    What do you think of this: LBJ best allaround/overall player in the league. KD-best scorer. Dwight-best D(without him magic are worse than my raps).

  24. matt

    What do you think of my top ten players of all time (in no specific order): Jordan, Magic, Kobe, Bird, Russell, Hakeem, TD, Shaq, Wilt, Kareem. Close but no cigar: BigO,Pippen,JWest,Baylor.

    • Anthony Macri

      I think I’d need the Mailman in there somewhere. I just loved the way he played. I also am of the opinion that LeBron will be there at some point.

  25. matt

    Do you think the raps looked pretty smart drafting Valanciunas knowing there would be a lockout/no season/shortened season? He reminds me of J.Noah a bit.

    • Anthony Macri

      Lockout or not I think drafting Valanciunas was a good move, he looks like an absolute bear of a pick to me. I really like how he moves and I think he gives great effort, so I can see the Noah comparison. The fact that the lockout brings us even closer to him being with the team makes it even better for the Raptors.

      That just about ends today’s chat. Hope everyone is gearing up for the NBA to get started again – I know I am! The team I am coaching has our first game this Thursday at a tournament in Virginia Beach – we’ll see how things go, I think we’ve prepared pretty well. It’s a good time to be a hoops fan! See you next week, same day & time! Until next time…