NBA Chat With Anthony Macri 6/19/12

Coach Anthony Macri writes the weekly Coach’s Notebook column for HOOPSWORLD and works for the AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League, the first regional professional sports league in South-East Asia. Coach Macri gets started at his new time of 10am EST every Tuesday.

  1. diehardNFFLbarnone

    Any chance of a Pau Gasol for Andre Iguodala and draft picks trade?

    • Anthony Macri

      Happy Tuesday everybody! Finals game later on, getting closer and closer to the NBA Draft – there is a lot happening out there! Let’s get to your questions…

      I’m not sure about the chances – not a rumors guy – but it seems to me that the Lakers are interested in moving Gasol and they have expressed Andre Iguodala interest previously. It would not surprise me to see something like that or a Rudy Gay deal go down. Not sure if I am a fan of the brothers Gasol together in Memphis with Z-bo and crew, but I think he’d be great in Philly.

  2. Rockets Representa

    Put these five teams(Nets, Rockets, Lakers, Magic and Dallas)in order based on who you believe has the better chance of landing Dwight Howard, Deron Williams or both……mine would be for Dwight Howard-Rockets, Magic, Nets, Lakers and Dallas. For Deron Williams-Dallas, Nets, Lakers, Houston and Orlando. Then for BOTH-Nets, Houston, Lakers, Orlando then Dallas. Agree? Disagree?

    • Anthony Macri

      I’m not sure if Dwight and Deron are a “package deal” and I can’t imagine the Nets getting either guy if they can’t get the other (could be wrong on that – might be Nets history bias talking). I also feel the Lakers are a long shot for either guy. Seems to me I’d rank them in this order (for getting both): Rockets & Nets at the top, followed by Magic, Mavericks, and Los Angeles.

  3. Peter

    Hey Coach, Read an article yesterday on Hoopsworld about Deng’s possible departure from Chicago. According to the article, Chicago are looking for a high draft pick in return for Deng and the Warriors and Raptors seem to be in the mix. Do you think the Rockets have a shot? Offer their first pick (14) plus a player. The pick is not as high as the other 2 teams, but they can add in a player like Kevin Martin to sweetened the deal. Martin’s contract is up next year and should be an enticing asset for the Bulls. Thoughts?

    • Anthony Macri

      I think giving up Kevin Martin and a pick for Luol Deng is giving up way too much value. I like Luol (worked with him for a year and a half) but Kevin is one of the top 4 or 5 most efficient scorers in the league.

  4. David Rivas

    What do you think about this?
    Cavs: Tyreke Evans
    Kings: #4 pick and Luke Walton
    Who says no?

  5. Deven

    Hi Coach Macri. I heard St. John’s associate coach, Mike Dunlap, has been named the new head coach of the Bobcats. What are your thoughts about this hiring and what kind of system can he bring to this Bobcats squad?

    • Anthony Macri

      I love Mike Dunlap. When I was a young coach, I found some videos by him on footwork and on teaching a very interesting matchup zone called a 1-1-3 that employed concepts from other matchup zones and the pressure man-to-man principles of Bob Kloppenburg (former Seattle Sonics ass’t during the Payton / Kemp years). I sent him a few notes and he sent back some great materials and was very gracious in his response. He also has a lot of interest in player development as he used to work / run the Pete Newell Big Man Camp. I feel like Dunlap will get young players very focused and they will be one of the best defensive teams in the league by the end of the season. Offensively I’m not quite sure what to expect, but his last NBA stop was in Denver, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see a spread-out open court attack. They will force and cause a lot of turnovers, get very physical. He is a guy I’ve been promoting for quite some time in closed circles, I hope he does well with this shot!

  6. Kenny

    I understand that the Blazers can’t sign Roy, but can another team sign him and trade him to the Blazers?

    • Anthony Macri

      I don’t know how that works with the CBA – ask Larry Coon!

  7. Deven

    Weren’t you based in DC a couple of months ago?

    • Anthony Macri

      Yes. I have taken a job consulting to the ASEAN Basketball League, the first and only pro sports league that operates regionally in southeast Asia. Big challenge but a lot of fun. Been based in Indonesia for just over a month. Still get to watch games though!

  8. Ryan

    How seriously are th Sixers looking to move up in the draft?

    • Anthony Macri

      Uncertain, but I think multiple moves are necessary.

  9. Chris

    Where do you see Sullinger going now that the red flags came out?

    • Anthony Macri

      I’m not sure why a shortened NBA career would hurt his draft stock unless docs are saying he is a risk from Day 1. Remember, rookies get a 3-4 year deal, after which they are done with their rookie contract. Let’s say the docs are right and he only lasts 6 years… so you get a pretty good player for 4 years at below fair market rates (rookie scale). How is that a bad deal? Same thing happened with DeJuan Blair. He probably falls into the late teens or early twenties. If he is there after the lottery, I grab him almost no matter what team I am.

  10. Deven

    Flip Saunders says KG will stay with Boston. Are you buying this? Because I’m not.

    • Anthony Macri

      I’m not sure about what Saunders said, but I think KG has as much of a chance of playing there as he does anywhere else next season. In fact, I’d say stay with the Celtics is about 55-60% likely, and go anywhere else is split up amongst the other 40-45%.

  11. Myron

    Do you think Andrew Nicoloson can grade out to be a better prospect than Tristian Thompson?

    • Anthony Macri

      Doubtful. Seems like another Thompson – Jason Thompson with the Kings. I really like Tristan, by the way. I think he can be really good.

  12. pacquiao punch

    Should houston go for j.sloan? And will session be the LAL STARTING PG for years to come?

    • Anthony Macri

      I don’t know if Sloan’s heart is really in it, but you have to consider him a long-term solution and give him room to operate if you hire him. Does he really want to take on that challenge at his age? Not sure.

      Until something better comes along, Sessions in LA as the starter seems likely.

  13. pacquiao punch

    Will rondo be the boston’s franchise player for the next 4 years?

    • Anthony Macri

      As much fun as I think that would be, I don’t think they will put up with him over that long a period, because I think they may want to blow up and start over during that time frame, and he becomes the most valuable asset to deal.

  14. Arky

    Serge Ibaka:
    “LeBron is not a good defender,”
    “He can play defense for two to three minutes but not 48 minutes.”

    Is Ibaka:
    a) wrong
    b) trying to goad James into wasting his time guarding Ibaka instead of Durant; or
    c) thinking that blocks is the only stat that matters for defence?

    • Anthony Macri

      Definitely choice “A” but I want to add another option, and that is “D – desperate” – I don’t know why you would say that except if you feel like there isn’t a lot you can do and you have to say something to get your teammates motivated?

  15. This is bull

    Whom would trade for deng and what type of deal could we get?

    • Anthony Macri

      Why do you want to trade him? Maybe I’m missing all the Deng hatred – you realize you had a team that was best in the league most of the year, and only a freak accident stopped you from going to the Eastern Conference Finals, right?

  16. keo

    I Jus have the perfect solution for the griz…trade gay for Paul pierce and their two first round picks

    And a random thought from watching game 3 do you think Perkins and fisher hated each other ( coming from two rival dynastys ) or is all that bad blood gone once they were team mates

    • Anthony Macri

      I can’t imagine the Celtics giving up PP and two first rounders for Rudy Gay… he’s just not that good. I don’t think they hate each other at all – these guys are pros and tend to hang out and relax before and after games, in the offseason, etc. Some guys may have personal problems with other guys, but rarely is it on-court related.

  17. Aristotle

    Hi Coach,

    Would Nash be suited for Miami, and would it take more than say just amnestying Miller to sign him?

    • Anthony Macri

      Not sure what it would take to get him, but he’s a perfect fit guy for a number of situations (Miami included). I have said for a long time that he would be great next to / filling in for Derrick Rose in Chicago as well.

  18. Ben

    Mike Dunlap who? Is this another MJ control play, or is this guy worthy of this opportunity? McMillan, Shaw and Quinn are quality names in Basketball.

    • Anthony Macri

      Quality names aren’t necessarily the best choices by definition. Jordan himself is a great example of that. Dunlap is super high quality. Only danger is his personality might be a little grating over time (he is a pretty intense guy) – he needs to avoid Scott Skiles syndrome, but if he does it right it could be Thom Thibodeau.

  19. michelle salzar

    is jonas valuncinias the real deal? what do you see him averaging? is 15ppg, 9rpg, and 1 bpg asking too much?

    • Anthony Macri

      At first that might be a little much, but I think he has All-Star potential in time. I’d say yes real deal, but give it a couple years before passing a verdict.

  20. darren

    how much money do you think jamal crawfords gonna get as a free agent? what do you think of him to the clippers?

    • Anthony Macri

      Why have Jamal Crawford when you already have a younger, significantly more extreme version in Nick Young?

  21. Josh

    Any idea of any FA the heat will take this fall. Also if Perry Jones III goes to golden state does he play the 3 or the 4?

    • Anthony Macri

      I don’t know about HEAT free agency – still want to see if they can make my ESPN Insider prediction come true. I can’t imagine Jones being successful at any position besides the four.

  22. Josh

    Hi Coach! Since you spot,train and groom talent – from your perspective, who is going to be a better player? Harrison Barnes or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist? And between the two who should Cleveland pick to run next to Kyrie? Thanks!

    • Anthony Macri

      Let me make clear that I am not right 100% of the time. No one is.

      I really like Barnes. I think both guys can fit in Cleveland. However, this is one spot where I could see Drummond being a fit even as high as the #4 pick. That’s because I am really impressed with Kyrie Irving as a young leader and I think he can be a great asset to a guy with Drummond’s talent. I also think a case could be made for Beal. I don’t see MKG being available at 4.

  23. Tasos

    Hi Anthony

    LAKERS:Rudy Gay+Jason Smith+25th MEM pick
    MEMPHIS:Okafor+10th NO pick
    HORNETS:GASOL

    the salaries are good.

    can be done? thanks!!

    • Anthony Macri

      Is that enough value for Memphis? More of a question than anything…

  24. martay

    I don’t think the the nets or mavs could give Orlando a better deal than the lakers do u agree

    • Anthony Macri

      It more depends on what Orlando is looking for – do they want to blow up and start over, do they want to remain mildly competitive, do they want to go young but exciting? Seems like a situation where Orlando is in the driver’s seat by setting their priority values.

  25. PDX_Fan

    Love your chats!

    Many have likened Damian Lillard as a “lite” version of Rose or Westbrook. Others say he’s more a combo like Jerryd Bayless.

    What do you think and can he be a legit NBA starter at PG?

    • Anthony Macri

      I think he’s a better shooter than Rose or Westbrook are / were. I also think he’s more of a lead guy than Jerryd Bayless. I hesitate to say who he compares favorably to – not sure a guy currently playing really makes sense. I am not sure if he is better suited as a starting point or a backup combo. I like Kendall Marshall more for a number of reasons, but in the right situation I think Lillard could make a lot of sense (team that needs a scoring from the backcourt).

  26. Anthony

    Is Waiters one of the bigger enigmas in this draft? Some mocks have him going top 10, others have him going at the end of the lottery. Is this kid for real, and where do you see his best fit?

    • Anthony Macri

      Just hard to know if he is really good or just ok. That is most of the guys in the 9-15 range, though. Sometimes you just have to take a leap if you really like a guy. I do like him more than Austin Rivers, to be clear.

  27. ian

    boozer and rip for #20,#21 picks and KG in a sign-and trade.
    bos gets a chance for a last title run for nearly nothing.
    chi gets financial flexibility, 2 picks to move up in the draft paired with #29 pick and a great player
    who says no?

    • Anthony Macri

      Boston isn’t winning a title with that group, and they basically give away a chunk of their future. I don’t see it.

  28. David Rivas

    What dou you think should Kings do in the draft night? Trade their pick, trade Evans for another top pick?

    • Anthony Macri

      Maybe a little bit of both? I don’t know that I trust them to make a good pick anyway…

  29. Rory

    Where do you see the Raptors going with their 8th overall selection? Also have you heard who they might target in free agency?

    Thanks Anthony!!!

    • Anthony Macri

      DraftExpress has them taking Lamb, but I’m not sure they don’t have a guy that is a lot like him already in Derozan. This is one of those places where Lillard might be a good fit if they are also shaking up their point guard slot.

  30. Sean M.

    Where would you rank Jonas Valanciunas had he been in this draft? TO doesn’t seem interested in even considering trades for JV; would you trade him and the 8th for Davis?

    • Anthony Macri

      I love Anthony Davis in a way I haven’t loved a draft-eligible freshman since Kevin Durant. Yes, I make that trade.

  31. Juhasz in Perth

    Any idea how baron davis is going?

    • Anthony Macri

      No clue. Hope weight watchers is working out in addition to re-hab.

  32. Kevin in Tokyo

    Just watched some Royce White tape, potential steal of the late first round?

    • Anthony Macri

      If he has figured out his commitment issues, I think he could be a matchup problem for teams. However, he presents some challenges with regard to how to best utilize him. He seems strong, but does he really love basketball enough to become a pro about it?

  33. Alex

    The Washington Wizards – HELP!!!

    • Anthony Macri

      This sounds like a plea from John Wall. Unfortunately, there just isn’t much that can be done… May God have mercy on your soul.

      That does it for me folks! Enjoy Game 4 and I’ll have a Coach’s Notebook out later this week. See you next week – when we might already have an NBA Champion for 2012!