NBA Chat With Anthony Macri 8/7/12

1. B. Carroll

   All this discussion about how this USA Men’s Basketball team compares to the 1992 Dream Team got me to think about how underrated the 1996 Dream Team III was.

   Outside of not having Michael Jordan on the roster – please tell me why this team should not be considered the best Olympic team of all time:

   Guards:

   Anfernee Hardaway
   John Stockton
   Gary Payton
   Mitch Richmond
   Reggie Miller

   Forwards:

   Grant Hill
   Scottie Pippen
   Charles Barkley
   Karl Malone

   Centers:

   Shaquille O’Neal
   Hakeem Olajuwon
   David Robinson

   • Anthony Macri

     Happy Tuesday everybody! Olympics are hitting the home stretch, and it is getting into football season, which means NBA preseason is just around the corner! I have a really big next ten days related to the ABL – exciting times. Let’s get to your questions…

     I think you are right. This team was gross, and Jordan was still in his prime. I have no arguments against your point – but would love for someone to tear us down in the comments section below.

2. Austine

   What happened on DH12 trade talks? Its getting quiet. Something is very fishy.

   • Anthony Macri

     No one likes to make moves now. Assets are hard to move during these periods – expect it to pick up again in mid to late September.

3. Makan_raps

   Morning Coach, If you were coaching Demar derozan what would you tell him to work on this summer,why …..and since this is contract year what do you think he can average with lineup toronto has and do you think they can make the playoffs

   • Anthony Macri

     I’ll start back to front. Yes I think they can make the playoffs, but it’ll be very tight and there isn’t a lot of room for error. Not sure on his averages, because they will have a number of new / different pieces, which is good for him. He should focus on consistent shooting and attacking closeouts better, and decision-making at the second level of defense.

4. tapsilog express

   Wow nba news is so slow right now that some recycle old articles. Well my question is how did the legend ron harper played the point guard position so well yet position wise he is a sg? Is it because of tge triangle offense of pjax? Lastly on a one on one, who do u think will win a game of 21, cp3 or jcalderon???hdjsusijbbs

   • Anthony Macri

     This question is awesome. Ron Harper barely brought the ball up for the Bulls – Pippen or Jordan did that the majority of the time. Impossible to really pressure them because of how versatile they were. Triangle offense made it a lot easier for Harper to be a cog – no one had to direct offense once they got into the flow. I think CP3 wins most games against most point guards in the league. If you mean the game “21″ then CP3 has the strength advantage. In fact, I’m not sure I can think of a game involving a basketball that CP3 would not win against Calderon.

5. Zeeshan

   So, these Bulls fans are waiting for Boozer to be amnestied!! When will it happen?!!??!

   • Anthony Macri

     I’m not sure it will happen. How does amnestying him bring them closer to a championship this year or improve their asset management for the future?

6. Nick

   Do u think nikola mirotic will join the bulls next offseason? If not, when??

   • Anthony Macri

     Not certain, but I’d point to 2013 or more likely 2014. Just seems like when they are targeting their next big roster overhaul (Luol’s contract expires, etc.).

7. Frank

   What star can the Bulls pick up next summer if they do amnesty boozer? Kevin martin? Tyreke? Ellis? Smith?

   • Anthony Macri

     I don’t know that any of those names excite me all that much. I’d want a guy I can pair with Derrick Rose for a few years and really chase championships. Anyone have nominees? Place them in the comments below.

8. tamaraw fx

   Height and athleticism wise rudy gay is like lebron ,how come he dont attack much? He relies too much on his j,is it because of what the defense gives him or do u think he lacks the hunger to be great.by this time kobe shouldnt be any closer to a young gay, but he wont even win one on one against an OG like kobe.

   • Anthony Macri

     Rudy is wired differently than either LBJ or Kobe. Much less take charge, significantly less aggressive. I like him as a second option but he is just not consistent enough to produce at a #1 option level.

9. BM Benz and Bently

   Ok coach put your orlando gm cap and think the way their management are thinking. What are u waiting for?who are the teams you wana give in to get d12? Or are u serius on convincing him to stay? Is it a big poker game right now?

   • Anthony Macri

     I hope that I would not put myself in the position they have. If it was a poker game, this is one of those times when you have to stop throwing good money after bad, cut your losses, and move to the next hand.

     That said, if I were dropped in the situation as it stands right now, I’d probably start the season with him and let him build value via his production. He only hurts himself if he doesn’t go out and perform in what is essentially a contract year.

10. Mutang

    Hey Coach, so gotta ask: Is Paul Millsap as good as gone from Utah? UFA this summer, and certainly some team will swoop in and offer him an absurd contract. Utah may be willing to give him 5 years, but a new team will give him much more per for 4 years, no? Does this mean Utah is moving Paul for a quality player before then so they dont lose him for nothing??
    Thanks

    • Anthony Macri

      Hadn’t considered Milsap’s situation to be honest. I’d want to see who else is on the market that would set Milsap’s price and what other teams might be looking for. What teams are likely to need a player like him that can offer ridiculous money? I would certainly keep trade options open if I’m Utah, but I’m not going out of my way to trade him just to get an asset back in return.

11. paprika

    With tantrums and at times uncontrolled attitude of bynum, as kobe describes it a f! Up attitude that he thinks is a good thing, do u see bynum as a westbrook version of a center? Specially if he gets fully healthy,will we see more explosiveness from him?

    • Anthony Macri

      Are you asking about comparing Bynum’s attitude with Westbrook, or his explosiveness? I think Westbrook wants to win, and wants to win so badly that he has blinders to things around him that might be helpful. I don’t think he’s purposely selfish, but he simply doesn’t see the opportunities that are always present. Bynum is different. I don’t think he always loves basketball, and seems non-phased by winning or losing. I do think losing weight and getting more explosive would help, but I’m not sure he really wants to put in the work to get there.

12. tapang kabayo

    QUESTION EDITED FOR SIZE… With their current roster, which team in L.A. will win the pacific!? why? is it better for lakers if they bring back pau as the second option rather than bynum, bynum should focus on defense rather than wasting his energy in posting up and making plays for himself on offense!

    • Anthony Macri

      I think the Lakers have an advantage over the Clippers, but I think it’ll be relatively tight overall. Maybe a 2.5 game spread max?

      While I would love Bynum to focus on defense, I’m not sure you will ever get much more out of him than you are right now. If that’s the case, he should continue to be a load on the offensive end, where most of the league has no prayer of handling him. I think he could play smarter in a way that reduces energy usage – finding better times to post, not fighting as much for position but using timing and leverage, etc.

13. Chris Guest

    Hey Coach,
    Game of 1 on 1, #8 Kobe v #24 Kobe, who wins?? Then a game of 5 on 5.

    Also, how do you think OJ Mayo will go this season with (hopefully) the starting sg spot and probably the 2ns scoring role behind dirk? if not 2nd, what option do you thin k he will be.

    Thanks for your time.

    • Anthony Macri

      One-on-one is so dependent on the rules. Who gets ball first? Winners or losers out? Score by 1s and 2s or 2s and 3s? I would think overall #24 Kobe has the advantage of experience and more to the repetoire which would negate whatever small athleticism / energy advantage #8 would have. 5 on 5 I couldn’t even begin to think about it.

      Mayo found a great situation in Dallas if he can move around a little bit (not stand still) and attack closeouts when getting the ball from Dirk. Dirk commands so much attention that it really makes a weapon like Mayo valuable if he doesn’t just sit around and wait, but instead moves intelligently and then reads his defender appropriately.

14. Gustavo A Thomas

    If you play college basketball and you play for your country in olimpic game,can you come back to college or you lose your amateur status?for me you are professional athlete,when you get paid to play or when you play against professional athlete in official tournament like olimpic game.How you can keep your amateur status after you play against Kobe,Lebron,gasol,duran,serena,Federer or Nadal.I believe the olimpic erased every borde betweem professional athlete and amateur athlete.what you think?

    • Anthony Macri

      I just don’t see the value in removing amateur status in a situation like you describe. Who does it benefit if they player did compete against those other players? What is the purpose of removing the amateur status?

15. Gustavo A Thomas

    The CH Bulls coming in route to be the Washington General to Miami Harlem Globetrotter.CH have problems with the cba taxes and they no have good talent to win championship right now.I believe is better for them,rebuilding for 1or 2 years.trade Noah and L deng to Houston,Portland.Cleveland,Toronto,GS or kings for young players and draft picks,trade Hamilton for trade exepcion and amnesty boozer NeXT year and they have money to spend on súper star caliber players,no good citizen players again.what you think?

    • Anthony Macri

      Looks like this season will be treading water, then re-assess roster after the return of Rose and looking at the market.

16. AJ

    Wasup Coach-
    i’m re-watching the playoffs from last year & i’m disgusted at Pau being pushed off the block by al harrington and even more so by ibaka who is a shot blocker not a great position defender.. i’m not buying that Pau will be great with nash, he doesnt set good hard screens. anyway would u trade pau for josh smith while he still has some value? After next season he’ll be labeled old instead of aging. plus some cap relief for us…

    • Anthony Macri

      Pau is crafty. He is a terror in the high post area and will make Nash’s probing penetration even more effective. I love him with Nash. That said, I don’t mind looking into his value on the market. Not sure if Josh Smith is the right fit, though. I’d have to think about that in more detail.

17. Kevin

    Hey Coach,

    In your opinion how much are these olympic games going to help out A Davis? Winning a NCAA tournament followed up by a Gold medal at the olympics surrounded by the superstars of the game? Is this the best intro the kid could have?

    • Anthony Macri

      Mega-huge. Yes I think it is a great fit. My original plan was to not write an article this week and maybe next because of the travel-heavy schedule, but if I do get to write one, it will be on this topic. He is getting great coaching in a great environment for learning, and if he applies what he learns, it is just going to pay major dividends down the line.

18. rapluva

    If every team could have an all star, who would that be on the Toronto Raptors? Is it Kyle Lowry or Andrea Bargnani, probably neither. What do you think?

    • Anthony Macri

      I like Lowry plenty but not All-Star necessarily. I do think Valanciunas will be very good though he needs to get out on the court and produce. I just like the roundness of their roster. No huge star or go-to stat stuffer, but decent players at every position with room to grow. Reminds me of the buildup that Indiana has done.

19. bueller

    Coach, what do you think is derrick favors’ ceiling? Is all-star far-fetched? What does he need most to work on? Thanks.

    • Anthony Macri

      All star might be a little much. Championship quality starter and potential 2nd best player on a playoff team seem about the right level for him with things going well. He could have an “a-ha” moment but it would have to be a big a-ha. If I was working with him, he’d start focusing much more heavily on rebounding activity. That’s the key for a guy like him to take a leap, along with understanding pick & pop dynamics.

      That about does it for me. Leaving on Thursday for a seven day / four country blitz of Southeast Asia. I’ll Tweet throughout (@anthonylmacri) and will try to get an article together – but no guarantees! Enjoy the Olympics and I’ll be back to chat on August 21!