NBA Chat With Anthony Macri 12/4/12

Coach Anthony Macri writes the weekly Coach’s Notebook column for HOOPSWORLD and is the CEO of the ASEAN Basketball League. The first regional professional basketball league in South-East Asia. Coach Macri gets started at 10:30am this week.

  1. Jim in CyberSpace

    Non All Star team. I’ll take a rotation of Chandler, Ibaka, Varejao and Collison for the big guys.

    Izzo, is the Coach and “chooses” his wing players… Who U betting on?

    • Anthony Macri

      Sorry for all the delays. Plane landed on schedule, but rain + Jakarta = traffic jam beyond reason. Let’s get right to your questions…

      Interesting question. I assume you are looking for All-Star just-misses. I’ll give three names. DeMar DeRozan, Paul George, and Ramon Sessions. Anyone with other suggestions? Enter them in the comments!

  2. Aristotle

    Hey Coach,

    I’ll give you a few names that are being heard in terms of trade or starting to appear on other teams list, and you can tell me which team would best fit them.
    Pau, Verajao, Bargnani, Jefferson, Millsap, Redick, Evans, Williams (Minnesota)

    • Anthony Macri

      Not sure if going player-by-player / team-by-team really works. So much would depend on what a team is willing to give up to get said player. I think the more interesting question is whether some of these guys could be traded for each other. I tend to think Bargnani would be pretty decent with the Lakers, for example…

  3. Aristotle

    Coach,

    Not sure if you’ve seen the Uncle Drew commercials, but is that a sign of the next big duo of Love and Irving wanting to play together once both their contracts are up?

    • Anthony Macri

      I have not seen the one that ties the two of them together, but I’ll be on the lookout. I don’t think there is any reason to read too much into it. Sometimes the decision of who should get cross-branded with who happens at a much different level than player-to-player relationships. With that said, I like that combination (though I think Rubio is a great guy to play with no matter who you are).

  4. Aristotle

    Coach,

    All Star Ballot… Center no longer on the list. As a coach do you still feel the need to pick traditionally, or do you pick your faves? I personally vote who I think is performing each 24 hr vote.

    • Anthony Macri

      I don’t think traditional positions matter too much. Haven’t felt they mattered too much for a while. That’s like Tim Duncan getting listed as a power forward so he wouldn’t lose to Shaq all the time… just not worth too much time and consideration. I try to get loose definitions to: Post, Wing, Guard. That’s about it.

  5. Deven

    Hey Coach. What’s your take on Dwight losing to his former team on Sunday night? Was that a statement game or just another game?

    • Anthony Macri

      I don’t too many statements are made before February.

  6. Deven

    How many games will it take for the Lakers to finally mesh together?

    • Anthony Macri

      Are you asking about the Lakers with their current roster, or with the roster they will almost definitely have after the variety of trades happen? To be honest it will start and end with Nash. If he gets healthy and integrated, the learning curve is severely shortened for anyone trying to mesh. He just makes scorers happy.

  7. Deven

    Is Amare better off playing the sixth man role when he returns, or should he return to the starting lineup?

    • Anthony Macri

      I prefer sixth man, but I’m actively looking to move him, not sure anyone will take him but not sure he can really bring huge value considering where the Knicks are right now.

  8. Todd

    What’s your opinion of Kyle Singler at this point of his career?

    • Anthony Macri

      I have always liked Kyle’s game and passion. He just gets it and doesn’t take no for an answer. He may not be the quickest or most athletic, but he is adequate in both areas and makes up for it with smart, heady decision-making and an exceedingly focused mind. He is still young enough to make mistakes, but at least the ones he is making now are not directly impacting the outcome, and if they are, he addresses them.

  9. Vic

    Will the jazz trade Jefferson or milsap at the trade deadline to free up time for favors or will they go for a playoff run, and let them become free agents?

    • Anthony Macri

      I don’t know what they WILL do, but I will say that I believe they should explore any and all options. I would not, in their position, close my team up for the right to make some trades. At the same time, be prepared to go right to the wire before trading him or making any big decisions.

  10. Paul

    who do you see the rockets possibly trading for?

    • Anthony Macri

      So many names, so little time. Write your suggestion in the Comments section below!

  11. HoBo

    Hi Coach, I’m ready to see the Cavs start playing NOW to win. They have 4 draft picks next year so they don’t need any more. I’d like to see them keep Varajao and make a trade for a scoring forward like Bargnani. I’d offer Tristen Thompson and Luke Walton. Who would say no?

    • Anthony Macri

      I’m not a fan of dumping Thomspon this early – he still needs a bit of time to assert his situation and have a chance to break-through. I think it’s a pretty good deal for Cleveland on the face of it, and if any of our teams or other investors are looking for reasonable benefits sharing. How would you approach the situation?

  12. robb

    do you see the pacers trying to get a starting 2 guard. Lance is ok but that production should be coming off the bench.

    • Anthony Macri

      I think they’d want to make sure they are prepared in every situation throughout. I also thin its pretty easy with most teams go in, hold up their PV up game

  13. Tasos

    Hi Anthony from Greece,

    TOR:Gasol
    LAL:Calderon,Smith
    CLE:Bargnani,Duhon
    ATL:Varejao,Blake
    Can this trade done??

    Gasol can play in the post near Valanciounas and help him to develop.Cleveland will take a young player and can put Thompson at center who is more effective.Atlanta will take a double-double center and Horford can finally play power forward.
    Thanks

    • Anthony Macri

      Idea looks brilliant but I tend to favor much smaller deals. The big ones happen way too infrequently to predict them. I also don’t see as much a value for LAL as you might considering what they would give up.

  14. SenseiOfSoul-Chicago

    Good morning, Coach – Assuming that Chicago amnesties Carlos Boozer in the off season, who do you think would make sense for them to pursue in FA? Names that come to my mind are Tyreke Evans, Josh Smith, and Monta Ellis. I would think that they would look to shore up their front court with Asik’s departure, and add a legit scoring threat to pair with Rose in the backcourt. Also, when is Mirotic slated to join the NBA, and is he regarded more of a 4 or 3? Thanks!

    • Anthony Macri

      I like your overall plan a great deal. I think Josh Smith is most attractive name of the ones you mentioned, however, though the other two might be better immediate fits. I definitely like the second scoring threat, though I’m not convinced it needs to be a backcourt mate for Derrick Rose. Most of everything I’ve read and heard on Mirotic is that he is more of a 4 than a 3.

  15. Paul

    do you a see the spurs trading leonard, gree, and splitter for bynum?

    • Anthony Macri

      Really?

      It was a quick one today. Sorry again for the crazy delay, and my answers were probably not the best consider I can barely keep my eyes open. Shoot some follow-ups into the comments and I’ll be sure to get through those soon! Thanks again. See you next time!