NBA Chat With Anthony Macri 1/17/12

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. michael

    What do you think of a lakers raptors trade? With the main pieces being pau gasol & andrea bargnani? I think this could help both teams, andrea would open the floor for bynum, and pau gasol could help give demar derozan an inside presence and even make the raptors a playoff team, what do you think? Win win?

    • Anthony Macri

      Happy Tuesday morning everyone! Plenty going on and the NBA is rolling right through the season. Let’s get to your Qs – there is a lot of room for more, so drop them in now!

      In theory I don’t mind that trade except I would imagine the Raptors would have to give up something more than Bargnani – it doesn’t really work “straight up” in the court of public opinion and I’m not sure anyone could justify that 1-for-1. The description of opening up the floor definitely works, though – I do wonder, however, if Bargnani and Bynum together would be too much of a liability defensively against teams with super athletic / fast frontcourts.

  2. a different matt

    Do you see the Nuggets moving Andre Miller before the trade deadline? If so, what teams would be interested?

    • Anthony Macri

      I hope not from the perspective that I like the way they play, but if a guy doesn’t want to be somewhere, he simply doesn’t want to be somewhere. I get the feeling Andre Miller has been trying to get out of wherever he has been for years. Other teams will have interest, not sure which ones – let’s brainstorm which teams would be looking for a guard whose scoring, assists, and shooting percentage are all down, but still need an aging lead guard with some ability…

  3. spricmi

    Coach what r the diferences in style between coach Sloan and coach Corbin? And what is your assesmant on Corbina and Jazzso far?

    • Anthony Macri

      Great question. I am going to watch the Jazz this week to get some insights… anything specific you want to me to watch?

  4. James

    Watched NYK play and is it me or the coach has idea how to use Melo and Stat? Strange to me to see Stat beast out last year before the trade. After the trade, its painful to watch this offense, thoughts?

    • Anthony Macri

      Two talented pieces like that can be difficult to put together on the offensive end, especially when their abilities don’t really compliment one another directly. Ultimately, I think there are ways to get Carmelo more touches ‘on the move,’ which would prevent some of the ball-stopping that goes on there and provide more free-flowing freedom to the offense. Of course, we saw the way his departure from Denver allowed that team to get free offensively, so he might be unwilling to change.

  5. Drew

    Which SG should Minny target? Ellis, K Martin, Mayo, Other (If so who)? And what would we have to give up to get them? Knowing Rubio, Love and Williams are off limits….

    • Anthony Macri

      Hard to imagine being able to get a player like Monta Ellis or Kevin Martin given your restrictions on availability, though perhaps a package involving Beasley and others might be attractive (doubt it). I actually think they are better off not going after a top tier shooting guard but a complimentary piece shooting guard who can hit open shots and can defend a little bit. Ellis isn’t as much a fit because he needs the ball in his hands a lot to be successful. The types of players I might like there include JJ Redick, George Hill, or Courtney Lee.

  6. CJ

    I’ve got the following for USA basketball

    Chris Paul, D Will, rose
    Kobe, Wade
    lebron, melo, durant
    LA, CB
    d12, Love

    • Anthony Macri

      What about Blake Griffin? Just a thought… Not sure who I’d take off, though my leaning is actually more to Melo than anyone else.

  7. CJ

    In your article about Rudy and Carmelo’s styles you said that Rudy Gay catches the ball while in motion and doesn’t stop, as a guard more times than not I find this hard to come by, any tips?

    • Anthony Macri

      A few thoughts. The number one thought is to search out spots to space, and then circle behind an attacking teammate. This gives you a chance to receive a pitch-back on the move and attack. Another option is to look for chances to curl off of screens – way too many guards pop straight up or fade, which often puts them in a stationary position on the catch. Instead, a curl might give you a chance to catch the ball on the move. Let me know if that makes sense.

  8. pimplyteen

    Would you recommend raising or folding A10 off suit from early position and why?

    • Anthony Macri

      As you know all too well, so much of my answer depends on the situation – cash game or tournament? Early or late stages? How aggressive is the table? There is no answer in a vacuum… hehe.

  9. SaberTJ

    What are your thoughts on the Cavs? Keep the veterans around and try and get the 7th or 8th seed or trade Jamison/Varajeo for picks/young talent?

    • Anthony Macri

      I definitely explore all options with regard to what I can get for some of the pieces you mentioned – and I might consider making a deal in order to get better, but I wouldn’t make the decision first, then figure out what I can get.

  10. Vlad

    MN trades Derik Williams and Pekovich to Suns for Gortat and this years unprotected 1st rounder. Do you think Suns would go for it?

    • Anthony Macri

      It is possible, but I don’t think the Suns would go for it, though it doesn’t sound like a terrible idea to me if I’m in Phoenix. I definitely like the idea if I’m Minnesota.

  11. jayjay

    Why didn’t the new cba take into account the fact that some teams live in “no” state income tax states. That seems a huge advantage which essentially wipes out the advantage that teams have to resign their own players. All you would have to do is create is create an equalizer against the salary cap…

    • Anthony Macri

      Great question. Obviously there is some imbalance with a team in Canada as well. I would think there might be some equalizer – good thing to think about. I do wonder how much of an issue this is – do players really make decisions including this reality? Also, do we start making adjustments based on the cost of living in different cities? An interesting question nonetheless.

  12. charliechu

    If Kyrie can keep putting up the same numbers and the cavs manage to remain around.500 any chance he can be an allstar reserve this year?

    • Anthony Macri

      Good question. I’d have to take a look at this list of players in more detail. Let’s give it another week or two and reassess. At first blush, I’d say it seems pretty unlikely, but there is a lot of games to be played before decisions are made.

      Not a lot of questions in the queue today, but I answered most of the non-trade rumor ones. Feel free to throw more questions into the comments section, or I will see you next week!

  13. Mitch

    Do u see Derrick Rose and the Bulls winning it all this year? If so, What u think its gonna take for them to get the job done?

    • Anthony Macri

      PS – saw this Q come in just after I finished my last one – I see the Bulls being able to compete for a championship this year, but that does not guarantee success. It would not surprise me if they won it all, but they also might need a little more. Not sure it is anything but time and the right circumstances preventing them now.