NBA Chat With Anthony Macri 9/12/12

1. Gunnar

   A guy I always find overlooked as the one of the best players of all time is Oscar Robertson. I know he is well before our time but where do you rank him? Is he comparable to Magic?

   • Anthony Macri

     Happy Wednesday everybody! Sorry for the issues yesterday with my normal chat window. I have been experiencing technical difficulties all week. Hopefully resolved now! Let’s get to your questions… I’m starting at 1030a and ending at 1130a EST so you have time to submit Qs now!

     The Big O is certainly comparable, but a better comparison might be Penny Hardaway from a few years ago. If you took Penny and dropped him off in that era he would be really, really good. Oscar was a better player than Penny, don’t get me wrong, but I’m not convinced he is quite in the Top 4 or 5 like Magic is. Top 15, maybe Top 10, I’d give you.

2. Adam

   Pacers fan here. Love the chats and the site. Can’t wait til the season starts. Love our team this year and I see us as #2 seed in the East. Agree/disagree? Pretty deep at every position. Think the 3 guys we just signed make the final roster? Really like the Sam Young signing, good defensive 3. We need a bounce back year from Psycho T.

   • Anthony Macri

     It’s great to get Pacers questions because when that team is up, they have fantastic fans. I’m not sure about the 2 seed. I still think after Miami a team like Boston will be extremely competitive in the East, and I think the #2 seed is probably theirs to lose. Indiana is probably 3 but certainly could rise to #2, or could fall to #4.

3. Chumpalump

   I made my son take down a Kobe Bryant poster as I believe it is important to have a role model you can respect both on and off the court.. Much rather have a Timmy D, Steve Nash, or Kevin Durant poster than an Iverson (alcoholic), Keon Clark (busted for drug dealing), or Kobe poster (accused rapist). If you are a parent, would you simply be happy your kids embrace the sport you love or are you concerned about the type of rolemodel these people are “off the court.” Many fans turn a blind eye to this behaviour, but it may influence a young person’s mindset/outlook on life = win/succeed and it doesn’t matter the type of person you are. Your thoughts.

   • Anthony Macri

     Packed question. I think the key is educating your child about what is desirable about that individual and what is not acceptable in their character. The ability to turn it into a conversation seems like a really worthwhile goal, even if it can prove a delicate topic. I’ve typically felt that taking something away from a child usually makes them want that thing more, rather than less. Using it as an opportunity seems like the better way to go. Both my girls are too young for this discussion at this point, and maybe my mindset will change at some point… who knows?

4. Gerardo Ramírez

   Anthony… do you see the pacers reaching the ECF this season? and if that depends of trading Granger… who would you like to receive to get this team into the next level?

   • Anthony Macri

     I don’t think it depends on Granger, and if they can avoid the Heat in the semifinals, I think they have as good a shot as any other team in the East of making it to the ECF.

5. Mac

   Both John Wall and Kevin Love came out in the media this summer to declare they are no longer satisfied with mediocrity and wanted to make it to the playoffs. If you were a betting man, who has the better chance to fulfill these predictions. Love may have the better team, but easier to get in the East. Your thoughts.

   • Anthony Macri

     It is a much bigger rebuild project in Washington, but the West is no joke. With that said, I’d probably lean toward the Timberwolves having a better shot, barring some major roster moves which we may see before the season reaches the halfway point. Rubio’s health is the biggest key – if he can get back early at full strength, they have a shot this season. Washington is at least a year away, but any improvement there would be a welcome sight for John Wall.

6. T.J. Wilson

   Who’s currently the most underrated player(s) in the NBA? My picks are Luis Scola, Marcin Gortat, Kevin Martin, Ben Gordon..etc….Do you agree? What are your picks?

   • Anthony Macri

     I like your picks, and I’d add Steph Curry, Kevin Love (no one understand, even now, how good that guy is), and I like Wes Matthews a fair amount. Would have to think about it in depth to get more names.

7. michael

   Hi Coach,

   Im looking for some advice on how to get better at freeing myself up off the ball to create more space. any advice?

   how to get better at instinctually pulling off dribble moves when defenders reach for the steal?

   • Anthony Macri

     The key to off-ball movement is change of speed. Too many guys go at one speed all the time, when in reality the best players constantly shift from slow to fast and add stutters and bursts to throw defenders off balance. In addition, work at cutting down the amount of space between you and your defender, then bursting to an open area. This cutting down of space slows reaction time and prevents the defender from achieving the necessary cushion to defend you.

     Regarding getting better at dribble moves, I would say that the real key is to improve your overall body control and vision such that the defender in front of you is largely irrelevant to what you’re doing. Do this by practicing much faster and harder than you ever would in a game. If you are practicing your handle and you’re not losing the ball, you aren’t practicing hard enough. Don’t practice so you make no mistakes, practice hard enough that mistakes are inevitable, and that’s how you get better. The rest will come naturally once you have that confidence.

8. Saulo

   Coach, I wanted you to see this and share it. White Mamba is simply amazing heh. I think this helps people realize that even the “worst” of the players in the NBA are still truly amazing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnXQsJ8ung8&feature=player_embedded

   • Anthony Macri

     Epic.

9. Roger

   Don’t know why but I always got to ask you a question. Which team and why would you give the nod. Team 1: PG Gary Payton, SG Joe Dumars, SF Ron Artest, PF Dennis Rodman, C Ben Wallace. Team 2: PG Allen Iverson, SG Kobe Bryant, SF Tracy McGrady, PF Dirk Nowitzki, C Shaquille O’neal. One team plays great defense, the other scores with ease. We have seen each players prime so who would come out on top?

   • Anthony Macri

     If those two squads laced em up for 100 games, I think Team 2 would win 75-80 of the games. Just too much offense, no matter how good the other guys were as defensive stoppers, they would struggle to score against Team 2 as well.

10. rb andy

    Don’t you think people are way too consumed with the Harden situation. He is contracted to OKC for another year with the ability for OKC to retain. Presti is going to do what Presti does and means making decisions that is going to permit OKC to challenge for years to come. End of the Day, Harden Stays and someone else will go!

    • Anthony Macri

      I have no idea what will happen eventually with the Harden situation, but I think it’s a case of there being a lack of anything else to talk about, so his situation is the next best thing.

11. David

    Hi Anthony,

    Good day to you! Question, isn’t there any asset for Lakers to trade for Daniel Gibson as their back-up PG? I heard Cavaliers are looking to trade him. I don’t think Lakers can rely on Blake, Duhon, etc to back up Nash. Lakers need at least one young athletic PG in their roster. Cavaliers took Luke Walton last year so I think anything is possible.

    • Anthony Macri

      If anyone can get value for nothing, it’s the Lakers.

12. Jackie_O

    Is there any truth to the rumors of hawes and richardson to bulls for boozer?

    • Anthony Macri

      Hadn’t heard that, but I will admit to not being in tune with the US rumor mill at the moment.

13. LA in LA

    Hey Coach, does part of you ever wonder how Westbrook would do with his own team? I understand they like/love each other unlike Shaq and Kobe but I’d REALLY love to see Westbrook on separate but still quality teams. Not to be stat obsessed but I think both, especially Westbrook would score 30+ppg.

    • Anthony Macri

      Would this Westbrook-led team win a ton of games? I’m not convinced. I believe the Durant team would, though.

14. Naj

    Hello there! What can you say about Japeth Aguilar from the Philippines. You think the spurs will consider him?

    • Anthony Macri

      Can’t say much as I have not seen his game except for very short clips. The Spurs do find diamonds in the rough – have to believe the impossible dream!

15. Cain

    How good can OJ Mayo and Darren Collison be in Dallas, both as individuals and combo?

    • Anthony Macri

      Eh. I like Collison when paired with the right teammates, and I don’t think OJ Mayo is a great pairing with almost anyone. My main question is – do they have the kind of shooters that allow Dirk to be Dirk in the mid-post area? I don’t think OJ is that kind of guy, and I wonder what his production will look like as a result.

16. Dwight Howard

    Shaq is a old bitter superwoman. I’m D12 baby. To all Lakers Nation question, I’m a Laker forever bby! Ima say this now we getting that ring! Kobe gonna be Kobe, Nash is gonna be nashty, pau gonna be pau and meta gonna be crazy but they my ninjas. Humpdee dumpdee I mean coach brown is gonna make me 1st option Cus I’m d12 bby! Do you agree coach?

    • Anthony Macri

      This must totally be what SVG felt like. Amirite?

17. LA fans

    can lakers still afford Leandro barbosa even if the team have $100 million salary cap

    • Anthony Macri

      If they want to pay that good old luxury tax, sure (I don’t see it, but hey, I’m not writing the checks).

18. dub

    I mentioned this to Stephen Brotherson on Monday and i want to get your take. If casey had been at the helm when bargs, ed davis and derozan were rookies do you think we would see those as better progressed players than they are today? I think he demands so much more than Jay Triano or Sam Mitchell ever did, and i think we saw glimpses of this last season. Thoughts?

    • Anthony Macri

      I have heard nothing but fantastic things about Dwane Casey. Some people just “get it” and by all accounts, he’s one of those people. Hate to do revisionist history, because who knows he he handles rookies, but I’d tend to believe that guy would get a lot of different jobs done.

19. Will in Cincy

    Hello, hope all is well with you. I want to know your take on this. Barring some mistakes in key instances the lakers would have beat okc in last years playoffs. But now that they add the best center in the league(Howard), the assist leader and top three shooter(nash), and 6th man of the year candidate(Jamison), rising great shooter, steady back up pg(duhon). How in the world are people figuring that they MIGHT not get past okc??? I respect okc but they are not as talented as this current Laker team. I know right now its just on paper, BUT that’s a hell of a sheet of paper! what is your take sir?

    • Anthony Macri

      OKC barely scratched the surface of how good they could be last year. Just assembling talent doesn’t necessarily translate to playoff teams. This Lakers team is talented, especially if they can stay healthy – but the West is really tough, and the margin for error isn’t too great. I like OKC to win more games in the regular season, and having to play on their homecourt if you are the Lakers is no easy proposition.

20. Gunnar

    Which retired/out of work NBA coach would you most like to see return to the game? Phil Jackson, Jerry Sloan or even Don Nelson?

    • Anthony Macri

      Out of those choices, probably Phil Jackson, but only if they also pull Tex Winter back into the fold. I love watching the Triangle in all its glory.

21. Young Cali

    wasup coach?
    ive been getting by off talent my whole life; from high school to division II ball back in ’06. now i have a tryout with the all Air Force team coming up, do u have a training regiment u can recommend? detailed with weights, cardio and bball stuff too? do u have a link. Appreciate the love

    • Anthony Macri

      There are no quick fixes. Where do you live? Best bet is to find someone who can help you specifically, even if it might cost more. Otherwise, I’d recommend videos by Alan Stein for basketball strength and conditioning and as for bball stuff, I’d need more detail as to what kind of player you are.

22. Andrew C

    Okay coach, could you as an expert in the game, tie break this hoopsworld writers basketball game?
    3 vs 3 in a 3 game series between these hoopsworld writers:
    C-Yannis, F-Lang, G-Bible VS
    C-Page, F- Kyler, G-Pincus
    Who wins and why? 3 point shooting, size, chemistry, etc.,?

    • Anthony Macri

      How does Bill Ingram not get a slot on one of those teams? Lean Team 1 because there is at least a decent chance that Kyler would find an injury to keep himself sidelined (love you Steve).

23. Young California

    when comparing players of old and new, do you strictly go with what they did against the players of their era? because theres no way Bill Russel has the same success KG does if he played 96-present. He would get bullied against Ewing, Drob, Zo, Shaq, Duncan, Hakeem, CWebb, even Dirk. Not to mention hes not nearly as talented offensively. Lastly, those 11 rings, were against sub par talent. Whats your take?

    • Anthony Macri

      I think you have to do a little bit of contextualizing. Bill Russell would be a different player today given the kind of preparation players get as they grow up. I think you have to look both at what they did given their era and what they might be capable of given the game conditions today. I’ll put it this way – if you take a LeBron and put him in the 1960s or 70s, he wouldn’t be anywhere near the player he is now, because he never would have received the freedom to do the things he can do today.

24. Chumpalump

    Some people seem to believe referring to Kobe Bryant as a second fiddle during his first three championships is a slight, citing his stats and contribution to the Lakers titles. However, this line of reasoning may be missing the overall point. No one could possibly argue Kobe didn’t contribute. Rather highlights the fact Bryant wasn’t the MAIN reason for this success. But when speaking of Jordon, no one could ever argue Pippen, Rodman or Horace Grant ever contributed MORE than Micheal (but were still vital contributors). When you are judging best players of all time, is overall championships the number #1 factor. Or how much influence they had in winning those titles? (Ex. Robin who wins 5 chips more important than a Batman who wins 3)

    • Anthony Macri

      I try to avoid thinking about championships at all when I think about the best players conversation. Maybe it is inevitable when looking at their career arc, but you have to get really lucky to win a championship – they don’t just happen because you’re good. You need situations to break just right, injuries to not occur, other teams to lose their way, etc. It just isn’t a terribly reliable indicator of greatness in my mind. To me, had LeBron continued having seasons he has been having, and never won a championship, he’d still be a Top 6 player, maybe Top 4 player, by the end of his career.

      Getting to your question about Kobe – the great ones all had help. No one does it alone – Jordan had the second best player in the game at the time, Scottie Pippen, on that team. And the year Jordan wasn’t there, that team did pretty darn well without MJ.

25. Sweet Dee

    My current standings for the West after this coming season 1) Thunder 2) Lakers 3) San Antonio 4) Clippers 5) Nuggets 6) Dallas 7) Memphis 8) Utah. If you could choose one team to move up or down in my standings. Which one would it be and why?

    • Anthony Macri

      I really like the Nuggets and I think they could slide up a spot. I’m not convinced Dallas will be as good as 6 either. The real question is which of those teams will the Timberwolves replace if they are able to make a playoff push?

26. Leo

    A second unit with

    Barbosa
    Meeks
    Ebanks
    Jamison
    Hill

    That in my opinion makes the Lakers the best team in basketball if they can find chemistry. Whats your take and do you see Duhon being traded or Blake if we get Barbosa

    • Anthony Macri

      Your “if” is an awful big one. Chemistry is not easy to achieve, and I am not convinced their staff is creative enough to introduce a multiple options offense like the Lakers need to be successful. The acquisition of Barbosa would likely mean movement from other players, yes.

27. Young Cali

    Coach-
    I’ve been told my game resembles nick van exel (obviously not as good) but i take more pride in my on-the-ball D. Thanks I’m looking up Alan Stein now…

    • Anthony Macri

      So a point guard then? Ball-handling stuff by Ganon Baker (videos are available) is solid for individualized workouts in a short period of time, though it isn’t so much about thinking the game through. If you want more thoughtfulness, study ball screen execution non-stop. Jeff Van Gundy has some great videos on execution that you can look into. Also, read books by Dick Divenzio – his books are the basis for the curriculum at the Point Guard College, which is a great place to start. Good luck!

      Hope all are well – sorry again for yesterday’s problems, but it looks like things are fixed for the future! Be on the lookout for more and more team previews that include a Coach’s Perspective section from me and a friend, Brett Koremenos. Enjoy the rest of the week – one step closer to the NBA season!