NBA Chat With Anthony Macri 5/22/12

1. Aristotle

   Heya Anthony

   Whether Miami wins it all this year, or loses in any of the next few series, Coach Spo sent packing and Phil to get the Big Three playing Triangle?

   Lovely weather, and another dynamic duo to base his next 3 peat around? Jordan/Pippen, Shaq/Kobe, Wade/LeBron…?

   And do you think the Big Three could play PJ’S Triangle?

   • Anthony Macri

     Good evening from Jakarta, everybody! That’s right, it’s Tuesday night where I am in southeast Asia, so I’m chatting from the future… don’t let it freak you out too much. I watched the games this morning (chuckle) and am amped for the OKC / SAS series like everyone else. Let’s get to your Qs…

     If they win it all there is no way Spo is sent packing. He might leave the circus, but he isn’t sent anywhere. If they get by Indiana and Boston and into the Finals, all without Bosh, that would be pretty darn impressive. Because this team is really, really flawed even with Bosh, so without him they are crippled (yes, it is possible to be crippled with two of the best 8 players in the world on your roster). It is looking more and more like both OKC and the Spurs are the class of the league, however, and everyone else is playing for second place.

     With regard to the big three and the Triangle, Phil Jackson got away from it his last two or three years in Los Angeles anyway, so I’m not sure it’d be the full blown treatment. Truth be told the offense can fit any personnel because it is very versatile (anyone who tells you different is wrong) but I prefer them to focus on transition opportunities and then ball screen actions.

2. schnik

   so now that the lakers are gone lets start with the rumors.what Do you think of this trade:bynum,blake for iggy,holiday and young?

   • Anthony Macri

     Can’t imagine it happening … how does it really make the Lakers better in the short term or the long term? Bynum is a guy you can build a team around. All the guys from the Sixers are complimentary pieces.

3. CJ

   Coach could you explain to me the Pacers rotation on Haslem yesterday? Towards the end of the game, David West would constantly double team leaving Haslem wide open. The thing I don’t get is, Haslem is a consistent mid range shooter and West was forced to go running back to him each time because no rotations were made on him. Was this intentional on Vogel’s part?

   • Anthony Macri

     It looked to me like they were daring him to shoot, and considering the kind of shooting performances he had put up in the few games prior, it is probably a sound strategy. Sometimes, you pick a direction and go with it even though it might not really work the way it’s supposed to. I also think Haslem started spacing the floor differently to create a longer recovery for West, et. al.

4. keo

   Let’s say its the celtics vs spurs for the finals…I think it will be a great match up because those two teams has so much chemistry ..its not like okc and Miami when one person gets the ball everybody gets out the way …what is Ur opinion ?

   • Anthony Macri

     The Spurs would crush the Celtics over a few games. I like the story lines better when it’s Miami vs. anyone. But the basketball would be solid either way. I think the narrative that Miami and OKC rely on isos and hero ball is only marginally true – where the real power would be watching those teams in transition. They are a thing to behold when they push the pace.

5. Kg3335

   After the magic get a new gm then coach what players should they trade away what players should they sign to keep Howard stay in town?

   • Anthony Macri

     Not sure he stays no matter what they do. The question is not necessarily which players they should move, but which ones they should acquire. My guess is that Dwight’s wish list and the actual ability to get things done will have a canyon between them.

6. john harries

   Was kobe right in calling out Gasol after the last game? does that really help or does it just make it harder to rally and win 3 in a row?

   • Anthony Macri

     I don’t think it really mattered to their chances after their loss last night. Sometimes guys need a pat on the back, sometimes they need a kick in the ass. Kobe probably goes to the stick a little more than he does to the carrot, but Gasol should be used to that by now. I think Kobe tries really hard to do everything he can to win, but he doesn’t recognize that it’s when he just tries to play the game the right way that things tend to line up properly.

7. Greg

   How did Kobe have the ball so much last night but not rack up a single assist? He’s a good passer, did the Thunder do anything special to make him a scorer only?

   • Anthony Macri

     He went into tunnel vision mode. It was an impressive performance, but don’t let it distract you from the fact that Kobe has plenty of seriously off nights as well.

8. Larry

   What can Philadelphia do against Boston to create consistent offense? (Besides asking refs to call handchecking)

   • Anthony Macri

     I think doing a better job of pushing the ball in transition and hitting the offensive glass should be at the top of the list. In the halfcourt, they need to do a better job taking full advantage of screening situations. A reminder that the most dangerous player after a screen (on or off ball) is the screener. Philly needs to screen and open up, slip a bunch of screens, and screen, rescreen and cut. By standing around as screeners and not be an available receiver / option, they become easier to guard than they should be.

9. Tim

   What do the Pacers need to do to get it done tonight against the Heat? Also we all realize Lebron can put up whatever statistics he likes, but I wouldn’t call him a winner in the category of a lets just say Johnson Bird or Jordan. Why is this?

   • Anthony Macri

     Probably because he hasn’t won a championship yet. I’m sorry but if you can’t appreciate the kind of games he has had this entire season, when he set the record (correct me if I’m wrong) for highest single season PER in the history of the NBA, then you just don’t like good basketball. The guy has gotten better in every phase of the game and is about to enter his prime. Try appreciating him for what he is instead of trying to make him fit some image of what you think a player should be.

10. Tim

    Your thoughts on the ridiculous firing of Stan Van Gundy who won 59 games every year and got his team into the playoffs to satisfy Dwight Howard who can’t even commit to the team long term?

    • Anthony Macri

      I really appreciate the way you weave your own opinion into the very fiber of your question. It is makes it fun to answer. I tend to agree that it seems a little ridiculous, but if you feel like it is time to move on, then it is time to move on. Van Gundy will be in fine shape, either taking a year off to fix his voice or jumping right into it with another contending team that decides not to roll with their current situation. The guy is a top 5 coach in the league – I wouldn’t worry about him too much.

11. Karilo

    The Lakers looked their best with Artest at the 4 and Gasol in the middle, it opened up their spacing and Artest can really pass. His strength mitigates his height disadvantage on the other end. Do you think this is the next step in his career?

    • Anthony Macri

      He probably doesn’t have too much of a choice given his lack of spring or lateral quickness. He really has become a liability against anyone who has some quickness. His strength can only help him so much at the three. At the four, however, he can be more effective for longer periods. I do like the idea of him and Gasol at the 4 and 5. I also like the twin towers look when they are the primary option in the offense.

12. Pablo

    Any news on the coaching search for the Trail Blazers???

    • Anthony Macri

      Haven’t heard a thing in terms of rumors. Keep checking HW, they’ll have rumors as they erupt.

13. Sam

    What should Tristan Thompson work on this summer as he continues his development for the Cavaliers?

    • Anthony Macri

      Developing a simple plan of attack would be the primary thing on my list. A single go to move with a counter if and only if that first move is taken away. Maybe incorporate more face-ups in the post. The rest will take care of itself. Love where he could be in a year or two.

14. benny

    bledsoe played great in the playoffs, so what about a trade of eric bledsoe for iman shumpert? then the knicks can get someone like ray allen or jet with the mle.

    • Anthony Macri

      Why would the Knicks trade for a guy whose knee got blown out in 17 places?

15. Nick

    Frank Vogel joked in his in-game interview before the 4th started last game that they were just going to go to a zone defense b/c of what Wade and Lebron were doing to the Pacers. I didn’t laugh too much b/c I thought that would be a good idea. Wouldn’t a zone D help out the Pacers chances b/c lets be honest they do not have anyone that can lock down Wade or Bron one on one.

    • Anthony Macri

      I don’t think anyone has players that can lock those guys down one-on-one. Teams really don’t practice a ton in their zones, so it would take a measure of trust on the part of the coach. I tend to like the idea of playing a little more zone and always being in position to help on any penetration (via the pass or dribble). Indiana may want to sneak a few possessions of zone in during the next game – just a little exhibition so they are prepared for Game 6, no matter what happens in Game 5.

16. Tim

    How can the Pacers cool off the Heat tonight?

    • Anthony Macri

      Establish Hibbert in the post early and often. Play quietly (in other words, if Miami is competing half-heartedly, don’t wake them up! Keep them sleeping). Be quick but don’t rush (in other words, look for chances to push the ball in transition and take advantage of times when Miami’s defense overextends, but they cannot move so quickly that they become careless).

17. Rick

    The Pacers seems to be consistently going over the screener when LeBron and Wade have the ball and then have a tough time catching up to them and stop them from getting deep in the paint…They aren’t deadly outside shooters, so why not go under?

    • Anthony Macri

      Usually it has to do with something they are trying to accomplish on the weakside. I will take a look next game to see if i can pinpoint it.

18. Peter

    Hey Coach! I read the article on hoopsworld about breaking up Miami’s big and that Wade should be the one to go. I absolutely agree with it. I think Houston has a legit shot at landing Wade if he were to be traded as players like Martin, Scola and Lowry can be a great supporting cast for James. They all can catch and shoot which is what James need around him. Thoughts?

    • Anthony Macri

      Interesting scenario. I can’t say that I mind it for either team… Kevin Martin is so low usage as a two guard it is pretty ridiculous, and he would get better playing with a guy like James (Kevin has always wanted to play with a guy who consistently demands the opponents best defender). I like it in theory, doubt it happens in practice.

19. Jazzfan

    Coach thanks for your time, better move for the Jazz try and sign Dragic, Trade for Calderon, or if the lottery balls bounce GS way try to trade back into the first round to get Marshal or Lillard?

    • Anthony Macri

      I like the Marshall option if possible. Not a fan of the Calderon one, and only lukewarm on Dragic (whom I like a great deal but mainly as a change of pace guard). Wouldn’t be in a huge hurry to make the wrong move on this point – patience is a virtue, I think.

      That just about does it for me. Gonna go to sleep so I can wake up and watch Indiana / Miami bright and early. My Coach’s Notebook this week will have a few preview-y thoughts on OKC / SAS… see you next time!