NBA Chat With Anthony Macri 6/5/12

1. Quan

   hey Coach, I watch 3 recent game of OKC – Spurs series and realize that Sefolosha defend particularly well against Tony Parker. What should Popovich do with that?

   • Anthony Macri

     Happy Tuesday everybody. Things are well here on the opposite side of the world. Very surprised at the Spurs / Thunder series right now, and feel pretty much on target with regard to Heat / Celtics. Let’s get to your questions…

     I think you are right on Thabo. Seems to me in the last two games Parker has tried to do too much off the bounce, and hasn’t allowed defenders to make mistakes by closing out on him wrong. I’d spend a lot more time moving without the ball if I were him, passing to enter it into offense, then moving to an operational area, and going quick attack on the catch. It will make it much more difficult for Thabo to guard him if he can’t get a bead on his rhythm.

2. Mario

   Hey coach morning to you. Question for you i read yesterday that rudy gay may become available what do you think of this trade i checked it on the espn trade machine rudy gay for luol deng and kyle korver or deng and asik maybe throw in the bobcats pick does rudy gay fit the bulls what do you think. Thx for your time.

   • Anthony Macri

     I’m not sure what Rudy really gives you that you aren’t getting from Luol Deng already, given their roster. They need spacers, and Rudy is not a floor spacer. he might be a more complete scorer than Luol, but he’s not the defender and he doesn’t fit as well with Rose. They need a guy who can make open shots and handle the ball on a part-time basis at the very least. I have long said that Steve Nash would be perfect next to Rose, and I maintain that opinion to this day (and he may be more important if Rose is out for the season!).

3. Marlon D.

   Good morning Marc, looking at how well the Spurs are playing this season with a “aging” roster, will there inspired play tempt Boston to keep there big 3 intact on more season or is definitely a done deal for this celtic team as we know it?

   • Anthony Macri

     Who is Marc? Anthony is my name (though the last name is Macri). Anyway… I don’t think the Celtics would be wise to keep that unit together unless it can happen super cheap. I think building around Rondo is a high priority, or trading him for supreme multi-year value might work too. The decision to re-tool or do a complete rebuild is a big one – would need to see what is available for Rondo before making it.

4. Ax from Manila

   Any defense oriented FA’s that fits into Boston’s system?

   • Anthony Macri

     More worried about offensive guys for them. You can make them fit into the defense.

5. Shawnymoe

   Good morning I wanted too know what plans do the Indiana pacers have too make there team better besides resigning Hibbert and Hill?

   • Anthony Macri

     Not big on the rumors side but I like keeping the core intact and making a run next year, then deciding if pieces need to be added near the trade deadline. Doubt there is a ton in free agency I’m looking for this offseason.

6. Jason

   Anthony, do you think that a trade of Kyle Lowry, Chase Budinger and the 16th for the 6th (Drummond), Elliott & Sean Williams (for cap purposes) make sense for both teams? Hou finally gets the center they want snd PDX adds both a starting pg and depth.

   • Anthony Macri

     It is too bad Lowry wants out because I like him if I’m Houston. Seems like a decent deal on its surface, though I don’t know if Drummond will be there at 6. Feels like Kevin Martin may be moved as well?

7. Ax from Manila

   Regardless of where the C’s current playoff run ends, if KG returns to Boston, where will he play? Back to his old 4 position or he’ll stay put at the 5 position?

   • Anthony Macri

     Depends on who is playing the 5. Seems like he might be better suited for the 5 at this stage in his career and with a lack of really big punishing offensive-minded centers around the league.

8. Golden Refugee

   With the Warriors picking 7th, does it make more sense for them to use the pick to trade for a vet sf like Gay of Iggy or just use the pick on a Barnes or Sullinger? Is a resigned Rush enough at sf with a prospect to get them into playoffs if healthy?

   • Anthony Macri

     I personally think Barnes is the most overlooked player in this draft, and if they can get him at 7, it might be a steal. I also like Sullinger. I don’t think the addition of a vet like Rudy Gay or Iguodala makes them a playoff threat, so what’s the point?

9. Tim

   At this point in their careers and what you have seen so far in the playoffs, who would you want to go to war with, Timmy or KG?

   • Anthony Macri

     KG can still guard. Timmy only in spurts. In addition, KG is much more functional and agile under the rim, making him more difficult to contend with than Tim, who looks a bit lumbering and mechanical. I go KG.

10. Tim

    What causes teams to lose focus when they get big leads, what do the coach/players need to do to put their foot on the throat of their opponents and turn a 20pt lead into a 30 or 40pt lead?

    • Anthony Macri

      It’s really hard to go from 20 to 30 against a good opponent. The best technique I’ve always found is to try to focus on small things unrelated to the scoreboard. Like I would challenge my players to get two straight wing denials on entry passes, or to get a five second call on an inbounds. Small goals are much easier shoot for and keep players from getting complacent seeing a big lead on the big board.

11. Anthony

    Do you see Portland consolidating picks to grab a top talent in the draft, or are they better off keeping their picks and targeting a PG and big?

    • Anthony Macri

      Not sure how many high picks are moving, and for that reason I think the latter option is more likely. If the right deal came along, I wouldn’t be against moving into the top few, however.

12. Tim

    It appears this year that the officiating has been even more suspect, questionable than usual. Do they need better training? Does replay need to be implemented more? Do we need another set of eyes? Do they need to stop taking money under the table? Do you think their outcome on the games has been acceptable?

    • Anthony Macri

      I think the officiating has been inconsistent this postseason, which is maybe the most annoying thing of all. I don’t think the outcome of games has been any more affected than it was in previous years. I do not believe another referee would help the situation. I don’t think anyone is paying them off, and I don’t think replay would help the situation. In the end, I think the bigger problem is the amount of attention that players and coaches are paying to the referees right now. It doesn’t help, you can’t change his call, so move and play better.

13. Peter

    If Rudy Gay is on the block, which I believe is not a smart idea if your Memphis can bring back tremendous value. I’d say the Kings offering the 5 pick with Thornton is solid. Replaces the bench scoring from Mayo while letting Allen stay at starting 2 guard and drafting Barnesto be your new 3. Allows you massive cap savings. Or trade Gay to Wizards for 3 pick, Crawford and Serpahim. You get scoring 6th man in Crawford, great backup center with potential in Seraphim and MKG with the pick as your new SF. What do u think Gay brings back? You like any of these trades?

    • Anthony Macri

      Lots of Rudy Gay trades in there… I don’t think the Kings offering the 5 pick with Thornton makes a lot of sense for Sacramento, personally. I don’t like the Wizards trading for Gay either – 3 pick seems more valuable than that. Off the top of my head, what about Iggy, the #15, and pieces to make it work financially? That is just a rough, completely un-thought through stab in the dark.

14. Wil

    Hi Coach, I don’t get the excitement for the Oshley hire. He hired VDN, gave $43 million to Jordan, $23 million to Butler, broke a handshake deal with LAC (who gave him his start), and essentially ‘traded’ Irving, Gordon, and 10th pick for the privilege to rent Paul for 2 years (and that required the commissioner to intervene not once, but twice). So, let’s say I am less than impressed. Thoughts?

    • Anthony Macri

      I don’t think there is enough evidence to say he is a guaranteed success or enough to declare him a flop at this point. He did do something in Los Angeles that hasn’t been done too well over the last few years: he made the Clippers nearly as attractive a ticket as the Lakers.

15. Darren

    Do you think the Blazers would be interested in trading one or both of their draft picks plus Wesley Matthews for Pau Gasol? The Blazers are wanting a center and would get an great one two scoring punch with Aldridge and Gasol while the Lakers would be able to get younger and more athletic while saving money.

    • Anthony Macri

      I don’t know that the Lakers would do that because no one likes to trade in the same Division, especially if they feel they can get value for him outside the division / conference, which I believe they will. I like the trade in theory, just doubt it would happen in practice.

16. Jason

    If you’re the Magic, who would you hire and why.. Jeff Bower or kevin Pritchard?

    • Anthony Macri

      I have always thought Kevin Pritchard to be an excellent candidate for any and every opening. No offense to Jeff Bower, I just don’t know him as well, though the resume looks pretty on-point. Might be a time to consider personality fit within the organization more than anything.

17. Magic Joe

    Coach in your mind who will be the Gm, coach, and president, and where does howard end up?

    • Anthony Macri

      Not sure on GM, coach, and president, and I think Howard will find his way to NJ in time.

18. Tasos

    Hi Anthony from Greece,

    LA:Gay+Scola
    MEM:Martin+World Peace
    HOU:Gasol
    the salaries are good.

    can be done? thanks!!

    • Anthony Macri

      I like the idea of this. Anyone want to add thoughts, post them in the comments section.

19. Marlon

    Good morning Anthony, I misread your last name, simple question after winning 20 in a row the spurs have now dropped 3 in a row, what do they have to do in order to get past a very hungry thunder team?

    • Anthony Macri

      1.) I’d utilize Tim Duncan more in the high post or even top of the key as a ball swing guy, and then roll him into the post so he can catch on the move and not have to deal with a stationary defense.

      2.) I’d look to zone OKC a little bit in the halfcourt and try to get them shooting a lot of jump shots off of perimeter passes, which are much lower percentage.

      3.) Ball fake, ball fake, ball fake. OKC has started to get a little more aggressive defensively, similar to how they were in Games 1 & 2, but they aren’t making mistakes. Make the defense choose – a ball fake will give them the chance to announce their intentions, which gives the Spurs a chance to counter.

20. Nick

    What do you think pf perry jones III? some think he can be a force in the nba and others think he could be the second anthony randolph

    Greets from vienna

    • Anthony Macri

      A slightly more consistent Anthony Randolph looks likely.

21. keo

    So Memphis is trying to shop gay…would a trade for Paul pierce and two of there first round picks work for both teams?

    • Anthony Macri

      How many years does Pierce have on his deal? That is probably the most important question.

22. Nick

    do you think the bobcats should pick mgk or robinson with the 2.pick?

    • Anthony Macri

      I tend to lean Robinson.

23. Rory

    Hello Anthony,

    Thanks for the great chat!!! Where do you see the Raptors going with the 8th overall pick and free agency?

    Thank you,

    • Anthony Macri

      Planning on Calderon being around? If not, I might grab one of the point guards here – either Kendall Marshall or Damian Lillard.

24. Jazzfan

    Coach thanks for your time much appreciated, I saw on the mock draft on NBA AM posted today that you guys have the Jazz seleting Scott Machado out of Iona I like the pick and think he’s a solid player, do you think he could potentially become a starting caliber PG with some development time?

    • Anthony Macri

      I did not help in the formation of the mock draft… but I will offer a thought or two on Machado. I think he is a great pick for a team that has a scoring point guard already and he can be a change of pace guy, and maybe even play next to the scoring point against certain lineups to act as a facilitator.

      Alright friends, time to get to bed. Right bout 10 hours to go til Miami and Boston square off. Looking forward to seeing which team decides that tonight, they will take no prisoners. Enjoy!