NBA Chat with Bill Ingram 10/1/2012

Catch up on the latest news, rumors and predictions with HOOPSWORLD’s Bill Ingram every Monday at 11:00 AM Eastern.

Bill covers the entire NBA and is based in Dallas, Texas. He has been an NBA analyst since 1998, when he and Steve Kyler founded HOOPSWORLD. He can be heard on radio stations across the country and his work has also appeared in USA Today.

You can follow Bill on Twitter by linking here: @TheRocketGuy.

  1. Ludwig

    hey bill :) cant wait for the season to start! do you see a real chance the kings stay in sacramento long term?

    • Bill Ingram

      Good Morning, everyone, and welcome to the chat!Ludwig, I have bad news for Kings fans. Seattle has a new arena deal on the table and cities like Kansas City, Tampa and St. Louis have buildings just waiting for an NBA team. I’m afraid the Kings are kicking off their last training camp as Sacramento’s NBA team.

  2. Paul

    Hello, I don’t get this whole “flopping should be punished” thing. I think it has become a part of the game and its on the refs not to call fouls. If they punish floppers shouldn’t they punish (Kobe, Lebron, etc)for throwing their hands into the defenders hands, I mean what the hell is the defender supposed to do, keep his hands behind his back so he doesn’t get a foul call for properly defending. Another thing is players jumping into defenders, often the defender does nothing wrong except for letting a player jump into him and he gets called for a foul. Do you think offensive cheating should be treated the same way defensive cheating is treated? For Kobe its a great play when he does his thing but guys like Ginobli get scrutinized for doing theirs when both are part of the “cheating the ref game”

    • Bill Ingram

      The NBA is definitely opening a can of worms, but to me it’s a can well worth opening. It’s a warning to players that flopping will come at a price, even if it’s after the fact. Bill Laimbeer and Karl Malone made flopping an art form, and now we have people falling all over the place. It’s very hard for a ref to see exactly what happened on the fly, so players take advantage. There is nothing fun about watching guys fall on purpose to cheat the game, and this is a move by the NBA to clean that up. Thank GO . . .er . ..DAVID!

  3. Steve

    Any update on jonas v’s injury?

    • Bill Ingram

      It was just a calf strain, so I’d be surprised if he misses much time, if any.

  4. da wink

    Is the Rox roster already set? Will DM still make a move before training camp or before the season starts?

    • Bill Ingram

      I think it’s set in the sense that the guys who will be on the team are currently in camp. Obviously they can’t all make it. Courtney Fortson was already waived and is in camp with the Clippers. No trades are imminent.

  5. Laurent

    Hi,Do you think Aguilar,Ronnie will make the Lakers roster over Sacre, Robert and what would be Reeves Nelson chance of making the Lakers?

    • Bill Ingram

      I don’t think that’s something we can call before camp. They’re going to have to show Brown and his staff something in camp and preseason to have any prayer.

  6. Gabe

    I wanted to see the Knicks practice, so i decided to go to a retirement home. I didn’t see any of the Knick players or coaches. With this lack of commitment, do you think it will cost them?

    • Bill Ingram

      You were on the right track, just the wrong retirement home. You wanted “MSG,” which is apparently the official retirement home of the NBA.

  7. cal

    Do you think John Wall could still make the All Star team if he misses the first month of the season?

    • Bill Ingram

      That seems unlikely, though not impossible. I think it opens a door for Kyle Lowry, or perhaps Jameer Nelson and Raymond Felton, though less likely. Brandon Jennings, as well. There are a lot of talented point guards in the East, just waiting to take his spot.

  8. Peter

    Bill!! how you doing? :)
    San Antonio last season rotationally rested their superstar players during the reg season. Do you see the LAL doing something similar?

    • Bill Ingram

      I don’t think they’ll rest them like Pop did, but I do think the depth they have will give them the luxury of player all of their aging stars fewer minutes. The key to extending the careers of Nash and Bryant, in particular, is cutting their per game minutes slightly, which will also keep them fresher for the playoffs.

  9. LA in LA

    As a continuation off my last email, it would be awesome if you all did a 8-10 round ALL-NBA mock draft. Fans love those.

    As for my question,how would you feel about a rule that prevented players without a certain amount of accolades in a 3-4 time span (i.e. 2 All-Star teams OR an All-NBA) from getting paid over $10 mil per year? (Ik players union would never agree btw. Also this idea come’s from a Bill Simmons column ) It might hurt some talented guys like say AI from getting properly paid but I feel like it would be worth it for stopping more Rashard Lewis contracts from happening.

    • Bill Ingram

      Right – the Union would never agree, and I don’t think it would be good for the league, either. You would have players putting their stats above the team, and that would cause real problems for coaches. To your suggestion, we are bringing some new tools online this season as USA Today starts to put some money and energy into the NBA now. This is something that comes up every year . . .and may be coming in the near future.

  10. Chris

    Hi Bill, do you see Lamar making any noise on that Clippers roster?
    I like him as a versatile player and hope he can figure it out to again be a important member of this team. You guys posted that Chauncey wouldn´t make the season opener due to not rushing the rehab and the good rosterdepth. Who do you see starting at the 2 while chauncey finishes his rehab?

    As always thanks for keeping my love for the game alive during offseason, appreciate it :)

    Greets from germany

    • Bill Ingram

      Good Morning, Germany! In a perfect world, Odom would recover his heart in LA and once again be a guy who can play 3-4 positions and give the Clippers the versatility they will need to compete with the West’s elite teams. I was courtside for his collapse in Dallas last season, and it’s a scary proposition for Clippers fan. If Odom does his disappearing act he will quickly become more of a distraction than a help . . .just as the Mavericks. I think Jamal Crawford is your starting two . . .even after Billups returns.

  11. Jim in Cyber Space

    How does the NBA’s Drug testing program compare to other Major League Sports?
    It sort of confusing…Everyone is subjected to drug testing during Pre-Season…Rookies can have a couple more tests during the Regular Season that Vet’s aren’t subjected to…unless there are “reasonable causes”?
    Think about it…if you aren’t a rookie…and are Savvy…all you have to do is clean up for Pre-Season… The guy could play hyped up once the Regular Season starts. “I’m not a Rookie”..Can’t test me unless I go Rasheed Wallace/Meta World Peace.
    Look at Barry Bonds. What sort of asterisk will be by his name in sports history?
    It should be random testing for all hands on deck…365 days a year.

    It’s a torrid situation…people gamble big money on sports…We want it to be clean.

    • Bill Ingram

      I don’t follow other sports, but the NBA can test any player any time if they feel there is cause to do so. You don’t have to go Rasheed or Peace . . .there are myriad reasons why the league could decide to test. I don’t believe drug use is a widespread problem in the NBA, not during the season, anyway. My advice would be to NEVER gamble on sports. LOL

  12. butch

    hi, what about a three team trade like that: rockets get harden and al jefferson (or josh smith) thunders get lamb motejunas (and or morrow) and jazz
    (or hawks) get k.martin morris?

    • Bill Ingram

      Absolutely no chance the Thunder are trading James Harden. Write that down and date it today.

  13. Jason

    ok, im not 100% sure that OKC is willing to lose Harden, but if reports aer true that hes not willing to accept less than a max, rather than potentially lose him for nothing, wouldn’t a trade of JH and Maynor to GS for Thompson and Jack make some sense. Klay is one of the bright young 2′s (who would be a dangerous weapon with his shooting) in the league who’s on a rookie deal for 3 more years and Jack is a steady backup, with possibly adding a future 1st. Seems to make sense for all involved and the money works.

    • Bill Ingram

      First, let me say that Harden is not a max player. He’s just not. I say the Thunder won’t trade Harden, I mean right now. Maybe at the trade deadline, but that’s unlikely, as well. What team pays James Harden max money? He’s a nice player, but if you lose him, you can pay O.J. Mayo, for example. There are a ton of players who are as good as Harden but will play for far less than max. Does another team lure Harden away by promising max money? That seems absurd. He better average 25ppg this year if he wants to even have a team seriously consider starting a discussion that involves a max deal.

  14. saulo

    Hey Bill. I drafted John Wall before seeing his injury and now I have some choices at G. Between Harden, Eric Gordon, Lowry, Dragic, Lin.. who do you think will be better this year?

    • Bill Ingram

      D’oh! Have to read HOOPSWORLD every day to avoid mistakes like that. Kyle Lowry is your man. Take my word on that. :)

  15. rockets fan

    I have heard the rockets waived fortson and added two PG to the roster. Do you think all these extra guys they are adding are assets for a big trade?

    • Bill Ingram

      No, I see it as adding bodies from training camp. Nothing more. We’ve already seen that no team wants to deal with Houston with the prices they set for their “assets.”

  16. #BOBCATS NATION

    If my BOBCATS can get Brian Scalabrine to unretire and play for us, I think it’s safe to say that the BOBCATS go 82-0, Sweep the Bulls in the first round, sweep the Heat in the Sceond round, go 7 games against the Celtics in the third round (Scal got a break), and then go on to win the NBA title in 4 games vs the Thunder. Am I right?

    • Bill Ingram

      No question. What an amazing move that would be!!! (cough, cough) Bill Walton’s voice: “CLEARLY Brian Scalabrine is the next Hakeem Olajuwon.”

  17. Andy

    Greetings from Germany! Fun question: From all NBA players, which would be the best 5man-unit possible? I´d have to go with James running the point, Bryant and Wade on the wings, Dirk at PF and Howard at C. Who would you select?

    • Bill Ingram

      Can’t argue much. Dwight is the most exciting center to watch, and Dirk is the best power forward in the league (for another year or two). James is in the mix, I’d put Derrick Rose or Chris Paul in there instead of Dwyane Wade.

  18. Myron

    Hey Bill, What do you think about Rasheed Wallace coming back to try and help the Knicks?

    • Bill Ingram

      I think I’ll be shocked if he makes it out of training camp.

  19. Eric123

    With j.wall out which ONE of the following options do the wizards ultimately take: a) let s.mack/j.crawford/beal/price run the team; b) go for a trade; c) sign a FA; d) try out a d-leaguer?

    • Bill Ingram

      I think you start with A and see how that works in training camp and preseason, then look to the D-League and then free agency.

  20. Lakers #1 Fan!

    Hi Bill. Really enjoy your chats! My questions is about the NBA League Pass. If I get it will I be able to watch all Laker games? I know that Time Warner has a lock on the TV right. Thanks!

    • Bill Ingram

      As long as you’re not in Los Angeles, I believe so. They black out the local games to force you to watch it on the local channel. But if you’re not in LA, you should be good to go.

  21. Eric123

    Whats your take on the KG not talking to R.Allen? Is it justified as KG is just being his competitive self and/or backing up rondo? or is it uncalled for as he is not really being “professional” or a “sportsman” in the true sense of the word?

    • Bill Ingram

      KG is the ultimate competitor. We watch him train during the summer, playing pick-up ball in Vegas with an All-Star collection of players, and you would think he was playing for the title every single game. Ray Allen is not a Celtic any more, so he’s the enemy. That’s KG’s mentality.

  22. Bryan

    What do you think is the best case scenario for the Mavs season? I see a good defensive team with enough scoring and a very good/deep bench to compete with anybody

    • Bill Ingram

      Very hard to say. I’ve spent some time in and around the team over the last couple of weeks, and they’re a very confident, driven group. They feel they have something to prove both individually and as a unit. They are extremely deep, and if guys like Collison and Beaubois can live up to their potential this Mavs team could be scary good. Can they compete with the Thunder and Lakers for the West crown? I have to see that to believe it, but it’s not impossible, either.

  23. Jose Caleron

    Why am I always in trade rumors?? I am always in the top 5 in assists and pretty much always lead in assists to turnover ratio. Do I need to do fancier things so people notice me? And I think my contract really is not that bad considering some of the ones that are out there…max for Hibbert, Lopez this year REALLY???

    • Bill Ingram

      LOL. Well, you’ve been on a team that didn’t have great leadership from the coaching staff and had issues with the roster, as well. Now you’re coming off the bench behind the long-term starter, Kyle Lowry, who is extremely close with Dwane Casey. You may not need to pack just yet, but if I were you I’d be looking at luggage.

  24. Jake

    The assumption for the Jazz is that Favors is the big man of the future. Given that, if you were the Jazz would you rather pair him up with Millsap or Jefferson long term?

    • Bill Ingram

      That’s the assumption, alright. I think I let the money decide. Who costs you more at the end of the season? Jefferson is roughly a $15 million expiring deal, and that could have considerable value on the open market come deadline time. If the Jazz are squarely in the playoff picture, you keep both and make the decision come July. If the team is struggling you see which one you can move to add what you can add. If it’s just a choice between the two, Millsap is the one who has experienced more success.

  25. fishyfish

    if you became a GM and you could put together a team but had to stay under the cap who would you put on your team??!??!!

    • Bill Ingram

      Awfully tough to answer without a LOT more information. I would look to OKC as the example from which I looked to build my team.

  26. Vincent

    If Bogut does get injured this season, what should my Warrior do?