NBA Chat With Anthony Macri 5/1/12

1. Brad

   Is Shawn Marion a good NBA comparison for Michael Kidd Gilchrist?

   • Anthony Macri

     Happy Tuesday morning everybody. Shaping up to be a great day here in the DC area – and looking forward to all the games tonight. Lots of great storylines shaping up from the first few games of the postseason – let’s get to your questions…

     I actually think that is a very good comparative. It’s hard now for some to remember to when Marion was one of the best defenders and most dangerous scorers in the league – and it’s a great aspirational goal for MK-G to get there. I wonder if Kidd Gilchrist’s frame can handle the kind of pounding that Marion did on the rebounding side of things, and I’m not sure he has quite the handle that Marion has – but it’s a great starting point for consideration.

2. Brad

   Any word on North Texas’ Tony Mitchell? Has he declared yet? Also, what is his NBA comparison and where will he likely end up in the draft?

   • Anthony Macri

     I did not really study him this past year. Word is out he is staying in school (and he would have had to declare by this weekend) so I expect him back at North Texas next year. He looks like a lottery pick right now (top 13ish) and a good year can vault him up boards. He seems like a guy with the tools to be an excellent rebounder and decent scorer around the rim, though I’d like to see him be a little more ferocious more consistently. I will need to watch more for a good NBA comparison.

3. matt from Oz

   Hey Anthony,
   Just wondering on your thoughts with JaVale McGee.
   Where would he need to end up in Free Agency to “grow up” and get some consistency going?
   Is Boston a possible suitor? Rondo would get him easy looks, he’s a defensive weapon, and surely would respect Doc Rivers enough to pull the attitude into check.
   cheers, from a hopeful Celtics fan.

   • Anthony Macri

     I think you are pretty optimistic thinking JaVale is ready to get serious about his career, no matter who the coach is. JaVale is a mystery wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a conundrum. He is confounding and stupefying and impressive all at the same time. Defensively, he can do nearly anything you want him to – except it looks like most of the time he is trying to be in the wrong place, and he has to make up for that poor game understanding with outstanding athleticism. I think in the right situation he could be a lot more effective, but I think there are a limited number of right situations. Perhaps Boston is it – the locker room is strong enough to maybe pull him along kicking and screaming.

4. Aristotle

   Hey there Anthony,

   With New Jersey now starting fresh as Brooklyn, who do they make their star if Deron leaves?

   Do you try and trade for Melo from NY? Or any other superstar preferably from the area?

   Do you try and trade for Anthony Davis and have him as the face of this new franchise?

   Surely one of those All-Stars out there would love to be the face.

   • Anthony Macri

     I’m not sure it’s that attractive to be there without Deron. Why just wallow with no one else to have fun with? Can’t just move the team and expect players to want to be there.

5. Kevin

   I know Perry Jones is listed at 6ft 11″ and he’s more of a PF, but do you think he could make the transition to SF in the NBA? I remember everyone commenting on how much of a athletic freak this kid was. I understand he dosnt have the 3pt shot yet, but in terms of guarding NBA SF do you think he could pan out at the 3 spot? It’d make a team very tall on the defensive end and could cause mismatches on the offense especially if he is posting up. Your thoughts?

   • Anthony Macri

     He might be able to guard 3s but is that really what you want from him? I like the idea of a guy who can actually defend wing ball-handlers coming off the pick and roll, which is more likely what he’d have to do as a 4 in the NBA. In addition, more time on perimeter takes him away from his most valuable operational area, near the rim. I don’t see him as a real post up threat yet, so that point seems to be putting the cart before the horse. Let’s see him be more productive and efficient as a basketball player first – something he really wasn’t in two years at Baylor (at least not to his potential).

6. B. Carroll

   I have been pleasantly surprised all season with the growth of Josh Smith personally. In my opinion he is easily the Hawks most indispensable player. Outside of injuries, what has surprised you the most in the first 3 days of the playoffs?

   • Anthony Macri

     I have also been impressed with Smith, who has really filled in with the absence of a guy I think is underrated in Al Horford.

     As for things that have surprised me – I’m not sure it was a surprise, but I am happy to see Miami is back to defending the way they were earlier in the season (and I am surprised a bit that New York hasn’t been able to find any groove whatsoever – didn’t expect them to win, but expected more of a fight). Also surprised by Los Angeles’ commitment to go big and stay that way: their inside passing was so stellar that few teams can beat them when they just go to it like that. Let’s get a few more games in and I expect a couple more surprises.

7. raps4ever

   Hi Anthony, If Illysova and Glen Davis, has shown dramatic improvements, don’t you think DeRozan, was a wasted pick base on his improvement? Inspite of his opportunity to play significant minutes, he has not performed the way Illysova and Davis has. Both these guys were late round picks, but they have shown that they have a big impact every time they play. Should the Raptors trade him for Cole Aldrich, or a FA SF?

   • Anthony Macri

     DeRozan has ability but he will never be a #1 guy and I think it was wrong for people to assume he ever would be. With that said I’m not sure Aldrich is the answer, and I don’t know what FA SF you are going to get that is better than DeRozan on the whole. I actually like their team when Jonas arrives, along with whoever they can select in the upcoming draft, and would want to see those pieces together before making any major roster changes.

8. Josh

   Anthony,

   Jazz have a number of ways they can go about the offseason. They can stand pat and run with this team again next year and most likely make the 7th or 8th seed again or they can make some bold moves by trading Al, Millsap, Harris, Bell. I think it is apparent that Favors needs 30+ minutes a night next year. If you were GM of the Jazz what would you look to do. Personally, I would look to trade Harris for Tyreke Evans and try to sign Dragic as a free agent.

   • Anthony Macri

     I think moving Devin Harris makes sense especially if they can target trading to select Kendall Marshall in the draft. Not sure that Evans is the answer though he might work next to a distributor similar to Marshall. I want to keep Millsap if possible because I like having depth int he frontcourt, but moving Al Jefferson isn’t a bad idea (provided you can get someone to take him and give you value in return). Dragic isn’t a bad option if Kendall Marshall isn’t available.

9. Shawn

   If the Cavs get the 3rd overall pick, don’t you think it would be wise to trade down to maybe 4 or 5 (trade with NO or SAC) because either way, they end up with the same player? ( Bradley Beal)
   The kings and hornets would love to have thomas robinson and the Cavs already have Tristan thompson, so they may be willing to move up in a trade with Cleveland.

   • Anthony Macri

     Sure, if they can get value in return and still get their man. Things seem to rarely be that easy, though.

10. Shawn

    If you were the gm of the Cavs, do you throw money at Eric Gordon and/or Roy Hibbert? If so how much?

    • Anthony Macri

      I don’t throw money at either guy (though I really like where Hibbert’s career projects), but I do consider them solid to very good targets. I try not to overspend in free agency if I’m the Cavs – they are building well right now, don’t push things too quickly.

11. Lucas

    Good morning coach, couple of questions for you. If the Magic (I hope win the series) does management keep SVG past this season, or is he out for sure to convince D12 to stay. Why doesn’t SVG invest in Daniel Orton’s development? He seems athletic and strong, he just need playing time and he could be a solid contributor to the team. Why do you think he’s not allowed to honed his skills? Thanks

    • Anthony Macri

      I don’t think either Dwight or SVG will be in Orlando at this time next year. Not sure on Daniel Orton – you have to prove you belong in practice… we often get way too limited a view of what a guy is capable of by just watching games. Like making a decision on a major car or home by looking at a single snapshot or two. It might turn out you were right – but you also might be majorly disappointed.

12. Charlie

    Russell Westbrook moved from shooting guard at UCLA to PG in the NBA very successfully. In your opinion, rank the top three players who have made this transition as smoothly from college to the pros?

    • Anthony Macri

      I’m not sure I’d call his transition smooth, but I think he’s effective because he’s a really good basketball player. As for guys who made a similar transition, I’d have to think about that a bit – maybe folks can list guys in the comment section below! Wasn’t Chauncey Billups more of a two guard in college?

13. Patrick

    Going to say that I disagree with the heat Thibs has gotten for the D.Rose fiasco. What are your thoughts on it?

    • Anthony Macri

      I think it is pretty ridiculous as well. It’s easy to blame someone for something after the fact. I also think it’s silly to blame it on the pounding of the season – I want to see hard stats on the number of injuries being that much different from years past… people have anecdotes and observations, but I need something a little more concrete, personally.

14. Casey

    Who has the best chance of being in a blazers uniform next year? Nash, Williams, Dragic, Lillard, or Marshall? Why and why not?

    • Anthony Macri

      Oof – hard to say. Seems like you are pretty sure that Felton is out – I hope he is able to get on a more professional path this offseason. I couldn’t pick any one guy on that list, cause I think you can make cases for all of them. If I had to pick one, it’d be Marshall just because they’ll be in position to draft him.

15. Wil

    Hi Coach, a lot of naysayers about the Nicks because they are losing to a better team (guess when it is NY, everyone becomes a 20/20 expert!). But what are your thoughts, and how would you maximize the players they have (both in this series and next year)?

    • Anthony Macri

      Not having Amare may actually make them better. He has been very disappointing – not that hey are going to win the series, but hopefully it makes them a little more competitive. Sometimes the pieces just don’t fit together – and unfortunately, his contract makes him nearly un-tradeable. I want to see how they can look with Lin back and Melo working to be on the same page.

16. Mac

    Jan Vesely had some big words on draft night, calling Blake Griffin the American Jan Vesely. But looked like a lot of talk and little substance behind it during the season. In your opinion, was Vesely the most disappointing lottery pick this year and how do you project Jan as a pro?

    • Anthony Macri

      Fredette was pretty disappointing as well. I think Jan is more of a long-range player. He’ll look better as Washington brings in other skilled guys. He plays hard and runs the floor – those are two positive traits. I wouldn’t look for him to be a star.

17. Sweet Dee

    During last night’s TNT coverage, both Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley called Steve Novak the best shooter in basketball. Rank your top three current shooters in the NBA?

    • Anthony Macri

      Novak is pretty impressive. I really like Steph Curry as well. Ray Allen is still one of the best. There are a lot of really good shooters… anyone else want to nominate the best?

18. Joe

    Is it just me, Anthony or is this upcoming draft a bit over rated?Every draft year their are sleepers that exceed expectations based on where they are drafted.Who is your suprise PF,C and PG for this upcoming draft?

    • Anthony Macri

      I think nearly every draft is over-rated as many folks expect every lottery pick to be an impact player, and the reality is that if a guy has a solid 13 year career, they are disappointed. That is sad – because that career is about the best you can expect from 95% of drafted players. Here are a few guys to keep an eye on as potentially exceeding expectations in this year’s draft: Will Barton, Henry Sims, Tyshawn Taylor. that doesn’t mean those three guys are franchise guys, but I think they will have decent long-term careers and they are late first round / second round guys.

19. PDX_Fan

    Re: Shooting guards who transitioned to point guards. Didn’t Oscar Robertson average a triple-double?

    • Anthony Macri

      I love Oscar – no idea what position he played in college – well before my time… throw in other suggestions to the comments!

      That about does it for me today! Enjoy the games and I’ll have a new Coach’s Notebook out later this week with some specific team / series / player analysis. See you next time!