NBA Chat With Anthony Macri 9/12/11

1. Tony

   Hi Coach. How well would the following players fit on their new team based on the following results.
   Bulls: Gain R. Hamilton & W. Ellington,Lose K. Korver & R. Brewer & K. Bogans.
   Pistons: Gain M. Beasley & M. Webster & N. Pekovic & L. Hayward, Lose R. Hamilton & R. Stuckey & K. Singler
   Timberwolves: Gain R. Stuckey as SG & K. Singler & the expiring contracts of K. Korver & R. Brewer & K. Bogans

   Appreciate your feedback

   • Anthony Macri

     Hey everybody. Beautiful day today… and there are rays of sunshine at the end of the lockout tunnel. I don’t wnat to get too optimistic just yet, but I’m not quite as pessimistic as I was two weeks ago (and to be honest, I was never that pessimistic). Let’s hope this week gives us some answers. Either way, time to answer your questions…

     The Bulls get a little worse in terms of their ability to pressure the perimeter, but I really like what Hamilton can bring them offensively, and I think Ellington can do good things in spurts. I’d like to see someone who can run the offense on occasion, moving Derrick Rose to the two a little more (my bullseye has been on Courtney Lee, and I think Aaron Afflalo can fill the same role) but I think your move for the Bulls makes sense.

     Things for the Pistons are a little harder to diagnose cause I think it would depend on what the plans are with Tayshaun Prince. He and Beasley fill the same position (albeit in two completely different styles) and I’m not sure they really fit next to one another.

     The Wolves gains are obviously longterm more than short term. I like Singler more than most and the ability to gather expiring contracts is attractive, especially in exchange for Beasley (he probably is the guy you want to move the most). I’m not as big a Stuckey fan as others but I think he is a great change of style from Rubio if you can keep him focused and in-the-game.

2. Kevin in Tokyo

   If you were B.Roy would you get a meniscus transplant (cadaver)? Why or why not?

   • Anthony Macri

     I can’t answer that question – it would be pretty inappropriate for me to give medical advice considering: 1.) I’m not a doctor or medical expert, 2.) I don’t know exactly the impact of such a procedure, and 3.) he’s not a player I’m advising. However, I would advise that the player get a lot of opinions and try to remember there is a limited window to make $$$ playing the game you love.

3. AJ

   I got out of the habit of jumping high
   (because I couldn’t) after an injury. I can usually shoot about 40% from
   three in games with my current shot. But I do have difficulty shooting
   over people because my feet barely get off the ground. Any advice on
   getting the jump back in my jump shot without messing it up?

   • Anthony Macri

     Two interesting thoughts here. First, there really are two ways to shoot jump shots. There is the old Glen Rice “barely jump at all” method, and there is the Courtney Lee “jump as high as possible” method. Really this is a matter of personal preference. The reality is that you need to assess how either method will impact your game. For example, the fact that you are struggling to jump during jump shots may mean you need to find ways to create more space so that your shot can’t be blocked or bothered by a defender whether you jump or not. Your body will adjust to getting back into the rhythm of jumping higher for jumpers as you continue your rehab. If you want to accelerate that growth, I would recommend spending some time (maybe warm up time before you play) standing in the middle of the lane, about 8-10 feet from the rim, jumping as high as you can and shooting at the top of that jump, grooving your shot from that distance. As you feel comfortable (100+ reps), move back a step. Rinse, repeat. It will take you time to develop that strength and coordination back – and to be honest, it may never come back. Sometimes injuries force people to change the way they play.

4. AJ

   What are your thoughts on
   Greg Oden? Looking at their games and potential for development, do
   you think Luke Babbit, Elliot Williams, and/or Armon Johnson can
   become impact players at an NBA level?

   • Anthony Macri

     I think Oden is a guy I would take a one or two year flyer on if I had the space to do so. Sometimes it all comes together for a guy – look at the way Grant Hill battled back after years of debilitating injuries. I’d rather have him on my roster than not if that ever comes through. As for the other guys, I think you are looking at role guys at best, which isn’t necessarily non-impact. Very situation-dependent. Hard to get more specific than that though – a little too much crystal-balling.

5. Eric P

   Hi Coach, why do many potnetial superstars come into the league without understanding the basics of basketball? Is it becuase they were so talented in HS that it was “give them the ball and get out of the way”?

   • Anthony Macri

     There are a lot of reasons. One of the things that happens to most gifted “geniuses” of any pursuit is they never really learn the traditional or fundamental approach. They have their own way that has always worked for them, so they don’t bother learning how to do it any other way. This also makes it incredibly hard for them to teach how they do what they do to others who are not as gifted. There is also a fair amount of enabling going on, and most coaches at all levels focus on winning before development because that is why they have a job (winning) – and it’s more sexy.

6. Eric P

   Hey Coach, if a player didnt come into the league with a “killer instict” , can that be devolped over time? Or is it either you “got it or you don’t”?

   • Anthony Macri

     I definitely think you can help players become more of a beast. Killer instinct is a little hard to quantify. I think guys develop that over time as well, but they have to be given opportunities to let it shine or it just stays dormant, even if you have it. By the way, when I play, I always want to be the guy who makes the game-winning play – but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea that I am the one taking the shot. Does that mean I have the killer instinct? I’m not sure…

7. Eric P

   Coach, I wondered if you have had an opportunity to watch Darren Collison at all? Is he a “me first point guard” or can he be a “true playmaking PG”?

   • Anthony Macri

     I don’t really like your definitions, as if one is all that different from the other. Which category does Derrick Rose fit in? What about Chris Paul? Tony Parker? Those kind of labels don’t really fit the majority of guys. I like what Collison brings to the game and I think he can be a starter on a championship quality team. Needs the right pieces around him like 94% of the league.

8. Ruben

   In your opinion coach,what is the most Houston could offer Marc Gasol,if the new cba stays close to what we have now?

   • Anthony Macri

     I like Marc Gasol a great deal. I don’t want to get into contract specifics until the new CBA comes out because things are going to change especially the salary cap amount. I’m not sure he is the best fit there, and part of it depends on what your plans are with Scola. Full disclosure: Coach Thorpe got to spend a little time with Hasheem Thabeet this offseason and is hopeful he can start to find his way in the league – doubt that should have a real impact, however, on decisions with Scola and Gasol.

9. devonte wilson

   shelden williams, renaldo balkman, jared jeffries, anthony carter,are most likely gone once the off season starts do you have any idea of guys the knicks might target in free agency to fill those holes?

   • Anthony Macri

     I think we will have a ridiculous amount of shuffling during the free agency period (assuming there is one). Teams will be wheeling and dealing to make things fit under the new rules. It might be cheaper in the long run for the Knicks to re-sign some of the players you mentioned – that would not surprise me.

10. devonte wilson

    chauncey and iman for monta ellis?

    • Anthony Macri

      Shudder… you want to put Monta Ellis on a team with Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire, and expect none of them to kill each other, and probably want continued development from guys like Landry Fields? That is asking a lot. I don’t like Ellis on the Knicks.

11. Rafi

    Why does a shooter have higher accuracy from some areas as compared to others (e.g. from the right vs. the left)?Defense? Right handedness? Offensive schemes?

    • Anthony Macri

      Great question. Sometimes it is just where they grew up shooting from – some guys get used to shooting from the right side because they spent most of their childhood and amateur basketball careers shooting from that area. For other guys, the distance from the corner becomes automatic to them, and for some, the depth perception when you have a clear backboard with no wall behind it makes it hard to shoot from straight on. A few years ago, we noticed that Kevin Martin was not shooting particularly well percentage-wise from the top of the key, and we spent a lot of time after workouts just grooving a shot from there. He ended up doing a lot better the next year. It is definitely “fixable” if you notice it and work on it.

12. Ben Ireland

    The Heat should take a chance on Iverson for the veteran’s minimum? They don’t have a better guard to start, who better to keep him in check than Lebron and Dwade… They don’t need him to be an MVP candidate, but Iverson was a great passer and he could run an offence… Agree?

    • Anthony Macri

      I don’t hate this as much as I would have three years ago. I might bring him in to work out but if there was any hesitation on anyone’s part, it gets the axe immediately without entertaining a thought otherwise. Miami is going to be a championship contender either way – they are going to improve defensively this year and get some kinks worked out on the other end.

13. devonte wilson

    if iman shumpert can show the knicks that he can be a complete point guard and run the system well does that mean theres less urgency to get chris paul and trade chauncey for a second round pick??

    • Anthony Macri

      There is always less urgency if you have someone come from basically out of nowhere to be a starter, though that seems an unlikely scenario involving Shumpert. If the Knicks can get one of the top PGs in the game (Chris Paul), you have to at least consider if not lock-in that deal, even if Shumpert proves reliable. It gives you flexibility.

14. devonte wilson

    what would be the best thing to do when carmelo and amare is getting old and cant play at the same level as they used to, do you trade them for value before they get too old or do you let them finish out their careers in ny?

    • Anthony Macri

      Too many factors to make a blanket statement. Just guessing from the fan response to both players: Carmelo will have a chance to finish his career with the Knicks, whereas Amare won’t. That is pure speculation though.

15. benny

    hi coach. any chance the knicks can land marc gasol? i think that would make them contenders for a championship this year

    • Anthony Macri

      I think there are a lot of players that the Knicks could acquire that make them better (Marc Gasol included – he makes everyone better). I can’t describe what the chances will be until seeing the terms of the new CBA.

16. RAM

    Any idea what team might want Jose Calderon?

    • Anthony Macri

      One of the more underrated guards in the league. I think a lot of teams would do well to look into him. Since it seems like today is a good day to ask Knicks questions – he would be a player I’d consider in the Big Apple.

17. Jay

    Should Raptors keep or trade away Bargani and start Ed Davis next season? because i feel that Davis has a lot of potential and provides the defense the raptors need.

    • Anthony Macri

      I am in the camp that doesn’t like giving away big guys that can shoot if you can’t get really good value. with that said, I like Ed Davis a lot and I think he has impact potential. I think Bill Ingram wrote in his chat about how the Mavericks just won with Dirk as a great shooting big, but I don’t think anyone would make the assertion that Bargs is Dirk Part Deux. If you can get good value for Bargnani, I think you can ship him. Otherwise, keep him and put pieces around him to help him shine.

18. Jake

    Hey Anthony! What are your thoughts on how Adelman will help the Wolves?!

    • Anthony Macri

      The first thing that he will bring is a much more concise and comprehensive vision for how they will play offensively and defensively. The two phases of the game will fit together much better than they did under Kurt Rambis. He will also lay down expectations more clearly than I think folks realize. They will be better on the defensive end because, quite frankly, they couldn’t be much worse. On the offensive side, their personnel moves made them better, and Adelman’s ability to get the players to buy-in to roles will be more pronounced. I expect a modest increase in wins in Year 1, but significantly more Ws in Years 2 and 3, especially if they can navigate the trading block and free agency effectively.

      That about does it for me today. Should have a nice Coach’s Notebook this week – either evaluating last year’s free agents one year later or on tightening up ball-handling… maybe both? Haha – either way, see you next week. Thanks for your questions!