NBA Chat With Bill Ingram 11/26/12

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. Clayton in Portland

    Hey Bill, as a life long blazers fan, I came into this seasons with expectations capping out at watching young guys develop, but I seem to have underestimated how quickly these guys would start realizing their potential, from nic batum and wes Matthews to damian lillard and even jj hickson, this team is showing real signs of growth. That being said, they are one major piece away from being a contender. They need a big time presence off the bench, which could be hickson if they got another quality big. Who would be the best fit in the front court beside lamarcus? Or should they roll with jj and get some scoring off the bench? Perhaps bring in Kevin Martin in free agency? It has been thirty five years… I want to see another banner hanging in the rose garden.

    • Bill Ingram

      Good Morning and welcome to the chat, everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! You’re absolutely right, Clay, the Blazers are ahead of where I thought they would be, largely due to the stellar play of Lillard. Last night’s game showed just how important Aldridge is, but the Blazers look like they might be a playoff team . .maybe. I think they are a starting center away from contending, though many teams across the league are in that category. I don’t see Martin, another 2, as the answer. Pau Gasol may be available again at some point, but I don’t think the Blazers are thinking older and more expensive, which Pau is. We’ll have to see who else becomes available . . .or how quickly Leonard might start to develop.

  2. Joe Shafer

    Do you expect improvement from Lin? This team would be so much better had we kept Dragic for the same money. Lin isn’t a good enough shooter to play with Harden.

    • Bill Ingram

      Lin is also a terrible defender, which doesn’t help. Dragic was not a great defender, but he was a great scorer, so it evened out. I do expect Lin to improve, but not enough to garner the attention he attracted in New York, before anyone had scouted him.

  3. Rick Levitt

    Hey Bill. What do you think of the Kings’ new starting lineup? Which guard do you think is the odd man out? Thomas or Jimmer?

    • Bill Ingram

      I’ve been told Jimmer is the odd man out, but part of that depends on who is willing to take one of them as part of a trade. Tyreke looks good at the two, though he is still turning down open threes, but if he’s going to play the two they need a starting three. They’re looking to move Salmons to help find one, but not many takers at this point.

  4. Steve

    It seems as if the raptors could win every game but they just simply can’t close out the 4th quarter. Is there a solution to this problem?

    • Bill Ingram

      That has a lot to do with chemistry, and that will come with time. Players have to trust each other and know exactly who’s going to do what in the last minute of the game, and the Raptors aren’t there yet. It didn’t help that Lowry was out with that injury for a while. I think they’ll come around.

  5. Cain

    Do the Pacers have that “star” on their current roster to take them over the top? I can’t help, but feel a season or 2 of high picks we could build like OKC!!

    • Bill Ingram

      I don’t think so. As much as it’s possible to win a lot of games by committee, you still need that one player who can take over, as referenced in an earlier question about the Nets. Granger isn’t that player, and while there was hope that Hibbert might be, that looks very unlikely right now. Still, once Granger gets back the Pacers will be a playoff team, so high draft picks are not happening unless they trade for them.

  6. Aristotle

    Hey there Bill,

    So Content Locker Ads….best way to view it is like the little advertising logos they want to put on NBA jerseys so small market teams can make some more revenue to survive.

    I can dig it for you guys if it means Hoopsworld survives. Still can’t dig it on the jerseys though. The idea of Los Angeles “Taco Bell” Lakers or Boston “Jack Daniels” Celtics (though that might be a hit, lol, or the “Apple” Miami HEAT just doesn’t feel right.

    • Bill Ingram

      We just view them as a necessary evil . . .LOL.

  7. Wil

    Hi Bill, I know this is a bit crazy, but what do you think PTLD could get for LA? JJ has been a monster since last year, he is younger, is better suited to the four spot, and perhaps with the assets from LA they could leapfrog their development. Perhaps Toronto for Bargnani (who could fill in at all three front court spots), Ross (as insurance for Matthews) and a future first round pick. What do you think?

    • Bill Ingram

      After watching last night’s game, do you still wonder that? No chance they trade Aldridge . . .he’s their MVP, and a MUCH better player than Bargs.

  8. Peter

    Hey Bill! I’m saddened to hear that Coach McHale’s daughter passed away :(
    On to something more positive, the Spurs are doing pretty well without Jax and Kawahi. Do you think the former might get traded at the deadline to bring in a big to help out TD and Splitter??

    • Bill Ingram

      Yes, that’s a very sad story, indeed. What a tough time for their family. As for the Spurs, that’s a good question. I don’t think they trade Jax because he is such a valuable part of the team, but if the right big becomes available I can see them considering it. I was surprised to see them let Curry walk since they need what he brings. We all know how the Spurs work . . .once they decide they want to deal, they’ll find just the right piece.

  9. LA in LA

    Hey Ingram if you could pick 2 “trapped” players and change them to a different team where they could actually contend, who would you pick and where would you like them to go? Exclude anyone who’s played 2 seasons or less.
    I’d send Horford to the Spurs to be a great frontline with Duncan and Gortat to the Blazers to pair with Lamarcus Aldridge.

    • Bill Ingram

      Assuming you could just ignore the cap? Sure . . .Gortat is exactly what Portland is missing, and Horford could play the four next to Duncan and then take his place when the time comes. Both good calls!

  10. Shad

    According to your article the nets do not have a player that can carry them offensively. Not even Deron Williams?

    • Bill Ingram

      I was talking about during crunch time, someone who would put them on his back and make sure they win, like Durant, Kobe, Dirk and LeBron do for their teams. Williams doesn’t do that very often, and I don’t know that he can be that player.

  11. calvinzero

    I am sorry to ask this but I am very conscious regarding the ranking for the upcoming 2013 NBA Draft.

    Is there any chance that LA Lakers will grab a spot for 1st round in that draft?? Of course, you know that the Lakers giving their future picks for Howard and Nash,right??

    If you know my answer, what specific rank of the Lakers in 2013 NBA Draft? It’s totally confuse me right now.Lakers needs fresh legs.

    • Bill Ingram

      So you want to know if sometime between now and the draft the Lakers can trade for a first round pick? Sure . . .perhaps if they wind up dealing Pau Gasol they can get a pick in the mix. That being said, this looks to be a very shallow draft class, so the likelihood that the Lakers could get a high enough pick to land an impact player seems unlikely.

  12. Jim in Cyber Space

    What do U think about Serge Ibaka, coming from war torn Congo?
    That was one of best number 24 pick’s in recent history? Only Sam Presti know’s how long his reach is…or his vertical? He didn’t go to the NBA combine?
    Super athletic…quick hops…and
    speaks five languages…??? Quick on the up-take. Phil Jackson “gushed” about him 3 years ago.

    • Bill Ingram

      I think Ibaka might be their next All-Star a year or two down the line. He has made great progress, and is one of the best defenders in the league at his position. He’s a great example of why it’s so important for teams to do their homework, even at the bottom of the first round.

  13. Ruben

    Hey,Bill hope you had a great holiday buddy.What do you think of D Mo’s potential?Do you think its best for him to come back to the Rox,or should he stay to work on his defense(since he has so many mins. of playing time)?I think he has the potential to be a special player.What do you think?

    • Bill Ingram

      Honestly, I think he should be starting for the Rockets, but you’re right, the additional minutes are helping him after he had that layoff with the infection. I’m not sold that Patterson is the right guy, as much as I like him, and Motiejunas might just be that guy.

  14. rockets fan

    I know the rockets are going to be active at the trade deadline. Which position do you think they need more depth at? Who will be a good fit?

    • Bill Ingram

      I’d say they need another scoring big, one who can create his own shot and make teams pay for leaving to try and trap or double Harden. Gortat would be nice, as would Al Jefferson.

  15. Trevor

    I understand not many teams would consider taking on Pau but do you think BBD/turkoglu for Gasol would work? It frees some longer term salary from Orl and they are rebuildong so next season when Gasol is an expiring he could be a good trade chip? Also thoughts on how the Magic are doing? Thanks

    • Bill Ingram

      I see your logic, but I don’t think the Lakers make that deal, mostly because it commits them to long-term salary. The Magic look good . . .people assumed they were just throwing in the towel for the season, but that is clearly not the case. They’ve been competitive most of the time and even good at times. They’re not a playoff team, but they’re not an easy win on the schedule, either.

  16. Larry

    Chances that Lillard wins ROY? Give me a number

    • Bill Ingram

      How about the number 216? Here are a few numbers for you: 19.6 points, 6.1 assists, 42% from three.

  17. Chris

    Do you expect the answer for the Rockets at the 4 to already be on the roster or do you think it’s addressed in trade/FA?

    • Bill Ingram

      I think there’s a very real possibility that he is, but it’s a little early to tell. Could be Patterson, could be Motiejunas, could even be White. Lots of upside on the team, they just need time to see who will be what when the dust settles.

  18. Bryan

    How do you think Collison and Kaman have been playing so far for the mavericks? And also don’t you think maybe a trade for tyreke would make sense because Carlisle works wonders with players maybe he can get Reke back into the star he once looked like at pointguard?

    • Bill Ingram

      True point about Carlisle, but I don’t see Evans as a point guard. Collison has been great at times, not so much at others. His consistency is his shortcoming, and that’s something that will have to continue to develop. Kaman is great. . .will be even better when he has #41 next to him.

  19. D-League

    Bill,

    I try to keep up with RGV as much as I can and I have noticed that Houston makes good use of their program. How do the rest of the teams in the NBA compare to Houston?

  20. Tim

    man the rockets DEMOLISHED my knicks, that was painful to watch. After that loss, people started the “we need amare” movement..which is stupid. Had amare been in that game, rockets would have had 200 points rather tha 130. But big picture wise, lets say Amare comes back and doesnt mesh (as expected), is the knicks best option to trade him? are there any takers?

    • Bill Ingram

      Yeah, it’s funny how before that game it was “we don’t need Amar’e” and then it’s suddenly “we need Amar’e.” Welcome to the world of short-term thinking. You never want to say never, because we’ve seen some terrible contracts traded in recent years. Still, given Amar’e injury status, which never seems to end, I am comfortable saying it’s “highly unlikely” they find a taker.

  21. John

    Do you have any clue how we can buy All-Star game tickets?