NBA Chat With Anthony Macri 1/31/12

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. Sabin C

    Hi.Otis should call Raptors for Calderon and get him.He’d be a great fit for Magic.I don’t think that Raptors will ask much in return.Your thoughts ?

    • Anthony Macri

      Happy Tuesday morning everybody! Warm day here in the DC metro area. Plenty of NBA action to discuss – sorry I’m late, but I’m having some trouble with the internet in my office. Will do my best to stay a little later than normal. For those interested, the high school team I’m helping (Paul VI) is having a pretty special year – top 30 in USA Today, MaxPreps, and ESPN national rankings. We host Gonzaga, also top 30 in the country, tonight at 7:30p. You can watch the game online at http://wapo.st/wr0DiY – enjoy!

      I do like Calderon and I think he would be a good fit in Orlando with their roster as presently constructed. However, Dwight is definitely not going to be there long term, and adding Calderon while taking away Dwight really doesn’t do altogether too much. I think that domino has to drop before anything else can happen.

  2. alan

    dwight howard said he would be open to plaing on the bulls. how much would you give up for him

  3. Kevin

    People talk bad about Gilbert Arenas’ game, but I guarantee you it would be an upgrade over Fisher’s game right now! He would get you more than the production Fisher is doing right now. Agree?

    • Anthony Macri

      More production in a vacuum is possible, but that doesn’t mean that Gilbert Arenas is the right fit in LA. I’ve never been a big Gilbert fan. I tend to think it’s time for new blood there, but I am not sure he is the one you want.

  4. Cain

    The Mavs have been playing really well lately. Is it because J-Kidd has been out of line-up and Beaubois offering a new dimension of play? Also how good have Terry, Carter and Marion been?

    • Anthony Macri

      They definitely have been playing better. Having Dirk out of the lineup probably has helped them more than anything – it gave other players a chance to step up, and now that he’s back, they can start playing well again. I do like Beaubois as giving them a different kind of pace, and Delonte West looked great last night. I am surprised by how well Vince Carter has been playing – I thought he was on his very last legs, but things were going well. Hope it continues, I enjoy watching them play.

  5. Ray

    What was your take on the Bulls/Heat game? Is it going to be a 7 game series in the playoffs with a healthy Rip/Deng? Or are the Heat too good?

    • Anthony Macri

      Neither team deserved to win that game. I hope it isn’t as much of a slogfest in a potential playoff series … and I do think the Heat are better htan the Bulls over a seven game series. My guess is the Bulls go down in 6, although whoever wins home court advantage may change that prediction.

  6. Anthony

    Does Varejao have any chance at being an All-Star reserve this season? It would be tough with the way Hibbert has been playing, but with Hordford and Bogut out, it at least has to be a possibility.

  7. Kenny V

    The only issue I have with D12 is that he doesnt know what he wants and that is affecting the whole org. and thats why they are underperforming. He needs to state what his future is so everybody can move on, right?

    • Anthony Macri

      I think he should be playing his best no matter what the situation is around him, but I realize that can be a little unrealistic. I am pretty sure his play is showing what he wants, to be honest… and it isn’t good for Orlando.

  8. James

    Isnt it refreshing to have NBA stars without huge egos like Durant and Rose? Carmelo the team killer, Howard the finger pointer, Lebron the Egomaniac and Wade the egomaniacs protector. Blake should tread lightly hes coming close.

    • Anthony Macri

      I think both Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose have huge egos. However, they may not broadcast it the way that some other players do. I don’t think there are many players who can be truly successful who don’t have huge egos. While it is easier to appreciate the players who don’t showcase their egos on display all the time, I just try to admire their talent and critique what is good and bad about their play.

  9. James

    Do you think Philly should pull the trigger on Iggy and Nocioni for Stat and Shumphert? I think its time for Philly to swing for the fences thoughts?

    • Anthony Macri

      Not sure that really swings for the fences. I think they can do better.

  10. Charlie

    In your opinion, which player is more detrimental to a team’s chemistry/lockerroom: Gilbert Arenas, Metta World Peace, Andre Blatche, or Michael Beasley

    • Anthony Macri

      That is like when Matt Damon’s character in Good Will Hunting talked about having to choose between the belt, the stick, and the wrench as to his method of beating. None sound good.

  11. Phong

    Hi,
    Otis Smith said that he has no plans to make a major move to alter his team’s roster in the near future. Is he drunk or something? The last 3 games, Orlando have been playing out of syn. A lot of turn over, they have been playing like a college team.

    • Anthony Macri

      Not an easy position he finds himself in. Can’t appear to eager because you want to get the most for the pieces he has. A move will have to be made, and soon.

  12. Patrick

    So, would a deal between Houston and Orlando be at all appealing to Orlando? The Rockets got an army of young promising forwards that they could part out with. A trio of Lowry, Martin and Dwight would be an interesting concept. but I guess the question does Houston have enough to make Orlando pull the trigger?

    • Anthony Macri

      I think they could put together one of the more attractive packages for Dwight. I don’t like speculating on potential deals too much because that stuff turns to rumor… the real question is whether Houston, by having to give up so much to get Dwight, would be any better off than Orlando is now.

  13. Christian P

    Why do the warriors keep dropping games? They have enough talent to win games.

    • Anthony Macri

      Talent is not everything. There is rebounding, and defense… having a plan on possessions is part of it as well.

  14. rel

    since courtney lee wants to be traded, anyway the rockets can put a package together for beasley?

    • Anthony Macri

      Interesting thought for both teams. Wolves should be happy with that kind of deal. Not sure he really fits in for Houston unless they are making some additional moves.

  15. Chris Mendoza

    How nasty was Griffin’s dunk? Also, I remember C.Webber stating that Perk is an overrated defender. What do you think?

    • Anthony Macri

      It was very nasty. I liked it very much. I don’t think that one play can determine anything – I like the way Perkins uses his body overall. I tell our players all the time that it’s hard to be a good defender if you don’t get dunked on once in a while.

  16. NowthenSteve

    Good morning coach… My boys 7th grade traveling b-ball team has been coached very poorly by the same 2 coached since they have been in 3rd grade. It’s making me sick to watch the team losing by 20 pts to teams they beat just 2 years ago by 40 pts. My question is is there any good way to address this without looking foolish? I need good info for these coaches before it too late and they fall further behind. Thanks for your time.

    • Anthony Macri

      If you feel like the coaches aren’t doing a good job teaching your son how to play (I’m not worried about wins and losses as much as the way they are being taught), then you may need to find a new team for him… if you are looking for the coaches to get better and keep your son there, focus on something aside from the wins and losses and instead look for things he can focus on to make himself better. I’m not sure there is much more I can say on here, but email me and I will try to offer thoughts – amacri@hoopsworld.com.

  17. Pete

    Hey.. Im a Pistons fan through better and worse and its bad right now.. Am I wrong in thinking Joe Dumars needs to be let go?

    • Anthony Macri

      You aren’t wrong thinking it, but that doesn’t mean it should happen. Things don’t look good right now, though. I think we may see a number of changes in this coming offseason.

      Thanks for all your questions this time around! Sorry for the random interruptions in my chat – will try to get the internet working better next time. Looking forward to the Gonzaga @ Paul VI game tonight! See you all next week.