NBA Chat With Anthony Macri 1/3/12

1. dyrese

   josh harrelsons game kinda reminds me of klove he shoots 3 and rebounds well should he be focused on conditioning? he looks a little to bulky for his play style

   • Anthony Macri

     Happy Tuesday Morning everybody! A chill is in the air and the New Year is here. The NBA is in full swing and I’m excited about a lot of what I’m seeing. Let’s get right to your questions!

     I guess Harrellson’s game and Kevin Love’s are comparable, as long as you are using a light year as the measuring distance. Love is a sick three point shooter and the best rebounder not named Dwight Howard in the league. He has the market cornered on those talents right now. Harrellson is shooting like 26% and won’t see the floor much when Stoudemire returns.

2. Focuslja

   Are there any teams that would be interested in Tyrus Thomas or Corey Maggette this season?

   • Anthony Macri

     I would think there will be a few as things start to sort themselves out. Manu’s injury might make the Spurs look in that direction just to get more bodies. They wouldn’t be the only ones either.

3. maestro

   Lets talk trades!
   Trade # 1
   Sac sends Cousin to Washington for McGee/Blatche. Both teams trade their headaches.
   Trade # 2
   Clippers send Mo Williams to Memphis and Brian Cook to Cleveland. Cleveland sends Varejao to Clippers. Memphis sends Mayo to Clippers and Henry to Cleveland. Memphis gets a back-up point/two guard. Cleveland gets a back-up center + a young two guard to pair with Irving, a trade exception (about 4 million) and save a ton of money. The Clippers get a back-up four/five and a solid two guard to replace Gordon.

   • Anthony Macri

     Are you saying McGee OR Blatche in trade #1 or McGee AND Blatche? Someone asked me on Twitter (@CoachMacri, btw) the other day if the Wiz should trade McGee and some other pieces to get Cousins. I just thought to myself – you want to put John Wall on a team that includes Cousins, McGee, and Nick Young? Yeesh.

4. lion mitchel

   Is blake griffin overrated?
   Does he know he is playing nba ganes instead of dunk contests.
   His defense is embarasenent. Never seen him move around or guard anyone. seen lots of pf shoot jumpers in his face.
   His free throw shooting sucks. If they r free points how cone he dont take advantage of them.
   His Free-throws are awful and his dunk over the kia was the hood and not very good McGee had way better dunks so did ibaka .He gets way to much credit for his dunks which is the only way he gets points

   • Anthony Macri

     A very smart man once said, “if you can score an easy basket, and the defense can’t stop it, why do anything different?” In Blake’s case, until teams are able to stop him from getting to the rim constantly, he should go to the rim a lot. Plan B should also be to go to the rim. Same with Plan C. He does have some work to do as a defender, and eventually, either because defenses will start to play him a certain way or because he no longer has the explosiveness, he’ll have to learn and incorporate other things into his game. That is what my article was about last week – check it out. I don’t think he’s overrated at all – but he is going through a growth process right now.

5. Saulo

   Do you think Rubio can lead the league in apg eventually? He’s top 10 through 4 games at 7.2 (and every game there’s always 3 or 4 that should are wide open jumpers that his teammates miss). What’s impressive is that only Nash, Calderon, Rondo and Lowry are ahead of him in AP48M. Also, you think he’ll be an all-star eventually?

   • Anthony Macri

     I will admit that I have a man-crush on Ricky Rubio. I can’t not put on Timberwolves games because he is so much fun to watch. I told a friend last night that I think he is able to read the 2nd line of defense and deliver passes accordingly as well as anyone I’ve seen since Jason Kidd in his prime. That is pretty high praise. I’m not sure if he’ll lead the league in assists – but I think he’s a guy who can be right in the conversation for a number of years. I think All-Star is possible because he’s going to be very popular as a fan pick, but it’s hard to select him over some of the big names in the West right now. Need to get the T-Wolves going in the right direction for a sustained period.

6. Kevin

   I’m willing to bet the Durant/Westbrook spat is more than they say. I give it one more year and then it gets big. Heed my warning. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Right?

   • Anthony Macri

     Not necessarily. Team dynamics are such that players can fight all the time and still able to be professionals and get it done on the court (in fact, high level teams without some conflict don’t usually remain high level for very long). The reality is that Westbrook and Durant fitting together might not be the best long term solution for the Oklahoma City Thunder. If that’s the case, the fact that they fought doesn’t mean a whole bunch – it is more of a result of an underlying issue, not a cause.

7. Alec

   Hey Coach, how much is to much for King’s D.Cousin? Yahoo reported this guy is a nightmare, bully and whatever else comes with all that. If you were any team’s GM in the league, who and how much are you willing to give up for a troublesome player? Or should we just let him play himself out of the NBA?

   • Anthony Macri

     It is hard to say no to talent. Cousins has considerable ability. In the end I think if I was a veteran club that could use a scorer in the middle, and I had a strong locker room that could keep him on track, I might consider giving it a whirl. I would not want him in a place to corrupt others or in a place where his personality becomes dominant (i.e., Washington). I wonder if a place like Philly could work – yes, they have young talent, but a coach who is very good at getting guys to buy-in. Just a thought.

8. Dennis

   Which Minnesota Timberwolves rookie is the more promising prospect: Ricky Rubio or Derrick Williams?

   • Anthony Macri

     Rubio could be among the top 5 point guards in the league within the next 4 years, so that’s pretty good. I don’t think Derrick Williams will be among the top 5 tweeners in the league in that period. However, I like a lot of what he does, especially when it comes to rebounding and economy of motion on the floor. He still has some things to learn about positioning, but I would be very pleased with both of those guys if I’m Minnesota.

9. Peter

   I think the best deal the Magic make to still be competitive and get an even better than NO (who I thought made an awesome deal of value in return for CP3) would be Howard, Turkoglu, possibly Nelson to the Warriors for Curry, Wright, Thompson, Udoh and possibly Biedrins to a descent filler and great cap relief. Thoughts?

   • Anthony Macri

     Does it work in the salaries department? If so, I actually don’t mind that deal for either team – definitely makes both teams different and interesting to watch. Creative!

10. Marvelous Marv

    Happy New Year AM,

    I can’t tell whether the Knicks signed retired Henry Bibby or Mike Bibby; based on the play I can’t tell the difference. Besides their starting point guard issue, what can the Knicks do about the lack of scoring in their second unit — it’s horrible? Do you agree? We need a Chinese infusion (JR Smith & K-Mart)!

    • Anthony Macri

      A friend of mine texted me when the Knicks signed Bibby and was so impressed, he is a Nets fan and he was bemoaning the signing like it was the final piece of the puzzle. And I texted back and asked if this was time machine Mike Bibby – because the one who has been playing the last few years has been horrific. Not sure he was the answer to having Billups leave (grab another over-the-hill PG). Not having Amare is a tough situation for the Knicks as he does so many things for them. However, adding talent like JR Smith and/or K-Mart would be interesting.

11. Ron

    Where do you see Howard going at deadline?

    • Anthony Macri

      I’m not a big rumor guy. I assume a deal will get done but not sure exactly where. West coast seems likely.

12. Aristotle

    Hey Coach,
    Just want your opinion on Joel Anthony. Is he really that bad that Miami need to look for a better Center? I think he’s underrated when you see what’s available. I’m sure Houston, Toronto, Golden State, Boston, Atlanta, and Orlando as a back up to Howard wouldn’t say no to him. For what Miami has I think he fits fine. Also, is Cole looking like when Rondo started with the C’s? The kid seems to have it all so far and if I was Chalmers I’d be worried

    • Anthony Macri

      I think Joel Anthony is a fine fit for Miami though I wouldn’t mind them picking up a guy who can shoot with range at the center spot (an Okur type). Anthony is good in the sense that he is long and fits what they do defensively because he has some versatility and athleticism. I like Norris Cole and what he is doing, but I don’t think Chalmers needs to be looking over his shoulder too much. Cole is a great change-of-pace guy. Chalmers defense has been excellent and fits exactly what Miami needs to establish a mentality right from jump.

13. Brandon

    How much longer should the magic let j rich start

    • Anthony Macri

      Are you starting JJ Redick instead? I actually don’t have a problem bringing a guy like Redick in off the bench. He is able to watch how the team is defending, get a sense of weaknesses, and go up against a fair number of reserve players where he can be pretty effective.

14. JP

    Do you think that KG can return to Minne the next year? Is it possible to trade Beasley and Milicic with a pick to get an upgrade at the c or Anthony Randolph can develop in that position?

    • Anthony Macri

      I don’t see KG returning anywhere. Trading Beasley and Milicic are definite possibilities, especially with Derrick Williams looking very good. Anthony Randolph would be a little undersized at the 5 but the way they want to play it might be a fit. I actually don’t mind that especially when Martell Webster returns from injury.

15. jake

    What can russell westbrook do to cut down on his turnovers?

    • Anthony Macri

      Some guys seem to feel the need to be involved in every single play, like they are making up for lost time or something. Westbrook will (hopefully) mature into the kind of player who is able to set a play up via two passes in advance. Some guys can see the future so well (like Malcolm Gladwell’s BLINK) that they can impact an entire situation on the floor. That is what Westbrook should be striving for.

16. jake

    It seems like everyone (including the timberwolves) have forgotten about Derrick Williams. A lot of teams could have used him, but the Timberwolves aren’t one of them. What would you do if you were GM?

    • Anthony Macri

      Let it play out a little more, make sure I am confident in Williams long term future, then shop Beasley.

17. david loya

    I feel the Lakers are very weak at the point guard position. Do you see them going after a point guard rather than Dwight Howard? If so who is out there?

    • Anthony Macri

      I see the acquisition of Dwight Howard making everyone feel better about the rest of the roster in Los Angeles. I also see a point guard being part of whatever deals are made to bring him to LA.

18. ed

    Whats your thoughts on the pacers so far. Do you think they can make it as far as the ec finals this year.

    • Anthony Macri

      I have to watch the Pacers, they are on the list to watch this week. No impressions on them yet. Just based on what I have seen, I’d be shocked if it isn’t Miami and Chicago in the Eastern Conference Finals this year.

19. Tee

    What do you think about the Raptors this year? Who should they draft in june?

    • Anthony Macri

      It is basically impossible to tell you, mainly because it is hard to know exactly how bad Toronto is. Harrison Barnes would be the pick if they drafted in the top 3, I think aiming at the small forward spot is a good idea. Maybe Terrence Jones? So hard to do that kind of analysis right now. Ask me again at the beginning of February.

20. j. Bizz

    Who has more left in the tank? Vince, T- Mac or Arenas and any word on Arenas? thanks

    • Anthony Macri

      McGrady was pretty impressive last night. Vince actually did some good things though Durant gave him problems (who doesn’t Durant give problems to?). I don’t think Arenas has much remaining – he doesn’t have the physical gifts of the other two and I’m not sure he can change his approach like they have either.

21. Juan Carlos

    How far do you think it can go Rubio and Love partnership?

    • Anthony Macri

      Championship quality with the right pieces around it. No joke. They make it very hard to guard ball screen action on the floor together.

22. B-Man

    who is the best unretired coach who can motivate his troops and show proper guidance and direction to a team? JVG? Larry Brown?

    • Anthony Macri

      I assume you mean the best coach not currently coaching in the NBA or NCAA who is also unretired. JVG would be on my list, though I’m not sure he’d coach again. Not sure Larry Brown is able to give it one more complete run. I’d have to see a list of who else is out there. I expect the next round of coach hirings to be current or recent assistants like Brian Shaw, Sam Cassell, and Mike Malone.

23. Anthony

    Did the kings mess up their draft picks? Could have had Rubio/Monroe instead of Tyreke/Cousins.

    • Anthony Macri

      In a word, yes. I mean Tyreke and Cousins are talented, but I don’t think it would have been crazy of them to get the other two, and the headaches would be a lot less than they are now. I wouldn’t count it as a total loss until we get to year 3 or 4, but right now, things don’t look good.

      That brings my hour to an end. Be on the lookout for the Coach’s Notebook this Thursday. I’m tackling some off-ball footwork from Kevin Durant and maybe a little Pacers breakdown if I get a chance to watch them. Enjoy the week!