NBA Chat With Bill Ingram – 1/16/2012

1. keeweekid

   76ers for real or a combination of improving team + moderately easy schedule?

   • Bill Ingram

     Good Morning, everyone, and welcome to the chat! I think if you look at how the Sixers finished last season they have taken the next step. Doug Collins has them putting team first, and with that much talent on the roster the wins are piling up as a direct result. It’s true – the Sixers have lost almost every game against a likely playoff opponent, though the Indy win was impressive, but you have to win the games you’re supposed to win, too. Honestly, how many teams in the East constitute “meaningful” wins? It’s a small group that includes basically Chicago and Miami, with a long step down to get to NY, Orlando and Indiana. The East is certainly not the mine field that the West is this season. The Sixers are taking care of business. In fact, they only have two games for the rest of the month that would be impressive as wins – one in Miami and one where Orlando visits. It will be interesting how they fare in those games.

2. keeweekid

   Is there anyway to get a read on the true heavyweight team of the NBA with the crazy compacted schedule? We know who the main contenders are but hard to figure out if there is one head and shoulders above others.

   • Bill Ingram

     A bunch of us on media row were talking about that as the Mavs drop-kicked the Kings out of town the other night. It kind of goes back to the last question, too. How many games really matter? Dallas blows out Milwaukee and Sacramento on back-to-back nights, but it was a yawn fest. The Kings are a mess and the Bucks only dressed two starters. The Mavs are playing much better ball than they did early in the season, when they looked like a D-League team, but until they play the Lakers tonight we won’t know just how far they’ve come. Too many games are just not very challenging. My preseason picks for the NBA Finals were the Thunder and the Bulls, and they’ve been killing everyone. The rest of the field – the Heat, Lakers, Clippers, Mavs, maybe Magic . . .far too early to tell.

3. keeweekid

   Celts…can they turn this around or did they just drop off a cliff?

   • Bill Ingram

     Age caught up with the Celtics, and the loss of Green really hurt them. Unless Ainge can pull off some kind of miracle trade the Celtics are toast. I think they make the playoffs, but they can’t beat one of the top teams in a series.

4. FocusLJA

   After watching the game on Saturday, I realized that TWILL isnt going to get his “turn” in Houston. How well does he fit with the young Charlotte and what would it take to get him there?

   • Bill Ingram

     McHale has been taking a long, long look at Chandler Parsons. Too long, on some nights. He’s had a couple of good games, but for my money Chase Budinger should be the starter. Williams has never been in the picture, really. He didn’t follow the gameplan well enough to earn minutes under Adelman, and McHale hasn’t given him much of a look, either. Williams needs to play somewhere like Golden State, Phoenix, or New York, where the gameplan is just to run and gun without spending much time slowing it down and running plays. To date, however, the interest in Williams around the league has been cooler than lukewarm.

5. Chris G

   With Horford out, who do you think gets the backup center spot on the East’s All-Star team: Chandler, Noah, Bogut, or other?

   • Bill Ingram

     That slot has to have Joakim Noah’s name cemented in. The coaches usually take record into account, and the Bulls are riding high in the East.

6. jazzman

   the clippers have starting chops as we all know, but do u think their bench has enough depth n talent to push far in the postseason?

   • Bill Ingram

     Honestly, if the Clippers are going to have to rely on their bench they’re in trouble. The same can be said for the Knicks, and for the same reason. They gave up so much to land one star player that they don’t have much in the way of a second unit.

7. sam

   is it a mistake that the clippers got chris paul this year. He is already complaining bout an injury. New Orleans doesn’t have Paul anymore but this isn’t a surprise. He is so injury prone its not even funny. He is always hurt at some point in the season with little knick knack injuries. During his offseasons he is more worried about spending time with his idols Lebron and company than keeping in shape and talking with melo about how bad his team is and how he wants to form a super team. It won’t be long before Cllippers fans realize this.

   • Bill Ingram

     It was a dare-to-be-great move, and Chris Paul makes them contenders, as we saw on Saturday night. You’re right that he’s been hurt lately, but he also has four seasons in which he played at least 78 of 82 games, including 80 in 2010-11. The hamstring wasn’t bad, according to the MRI, so he should be back quickly this time. Make no mistake – Chris Paul is dedicated to winning a championship, and in Blake Griffin he found his All-Star partner in crime. He doesn’t need to carry Melo or LeBron.

8. nazariy

   Why are you guys criticizing javal mc.gee for the wizard’s slow start. He is a underrated center who can get you a triple double in blocks. He rebounds, does the dirty work. If anything its ernie, the gm, to blame for not signing players to mentor john wall and for not firing flip saunder’s who gets more technicals than wins this season. Do not really get how mc. Gee is to blame.

   • Bill Ingram

     Not sure what you mean by “you guys.” I feel like coaching is the real issue . . .Saunders has lost the team almost to the extent that Westphal lost the Kings. I haven’t seen him record a triple-double, and don’t know that he will, but he’s a decent starting center in a league where there are few elite centers. I haven’t seen anyone of our staff blaming him for the awful play by the Wizards . . .

9. kenneth hartley

   how come you guys here and thunder management are defending russell westbrook for his lousy playing this season. . he goes for 0-13 from the field and 4 turnovers and u think that is okay?They cannot co-exist, its obvious. They had issues last year and they are already starting again. They both want to be the man on that team and its not going to happen. That team is Durants. Westbrook wants to be a shot jacker type PG and shoot 30 shots a game and be a scorer, not a team leader, distributor.

   • Bill Ingram

     Be careful how you judge a player based upon one game. Yes, he had that 0-13 night, but the next night he hit 10-for-21 and had 28 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. The guy is an All-Star. Does he turn the ball over a little too much at times? Sure. Does he want more of the spotlight at times? Yes. He believes he can be the star of a team, and perhaps he could be. That doesn’t mean he and Kevin are fighting. They simply ARE NOT. Those two guys are like brothers . . .they love playing together. At 11-2 on the season, I wouldn’t get too excited about breaking up the band. It ain’t happening.

10. marcus smith

    How come the warriors did not want to trade Andres biedrins or amnesty him. He is a cancer to his team. He is so good that marc Jackson is desperate to sign earl barron. Biedrins sucks, he always gets into foul trouble, cant shoot free throws, averages less than five rebounds a game. It is lies that he improved his game this summer.also why sign kwame brown. He is a bust and a joke according to kobe Bryant.for a number one pick he needs to do more than get five points and five rebounds. This two players r derstroying warrior’s defense and playoff hopes as they r in capable of guarding hgoward that they were desperate to foul him.kwame brown is always injured.

    • Bill Ingram

      The Warriors really do like Biedrins, and turned down offers from teams like Houston who would have given up multiple pieces to have him. He’s a decent starting center in a league with few good starting centers. That said, he’s not the reason the Warriors suck defensively. They have very few defensive-minded players on the team . . .As for Brown, I can’t explain that one. He was overpaid, for sure. Barron is a probably just as good or better. Keep in mind, though, that these are back-up centers. Every team needs one. It’s not a reflection on Biedrins. It would also help, of course, if the Warriors had hired a coach with some experience coaching . . .but that’s another story.

11. Peter

    Do you think at the end of this year the Spurs let Duncan get traded for a few assets to help them rebuild while letting letting him compete for another ring or two with a contender. Portland would be an interesting fit with batum or matthews be good fits but maybe they prefer moving em East. Let him retire as a spur but I think he has a couple years left to make some noise.

    • Bill Ingram

      Well, right now the Spurs are the second-best team in the West with Manu Ginobili – easily their best player – on the sidelines. Duncan will retire a Spurs, that much I would bet a great deal of money on. They might even continue to be a top team until he does. Keep in mind, his contract ends this season, and he hasn’t ruled out signing another deal. He would likely seek less money to assure the Spurs can bring in the talent needed to stay very competitive.

12. Mitch

    Who says no to Leandro Barbosa to the Lakers using TPE from Odom trade for Darius Morris and a first round pick?

    The Lakers need scoring off the bench, insurance at PG, and he is an expiring contract.

    • Bill Ingram

      The Raptors say no . . .Colangelo is very high on Barbosa, and the Raptors can’t afford to lose his scoring.

13. tullamore

    Don’t you think Wade is the queen this year instead of Lebron?

    • Bill Ingram

      I have a great deal of respect for Wade, his childish behavior in the Finals notwithstanding. The HEAT go only where he takes them . . .

14. Will

    Where do you think D12 will end up after the deadline?

    • Bill Ingram

      I think he’ll be in Orlando after the deadline since ownership has forbidden Otis Smith to trade him unless it’s a move that makes the Magic “clearly better.” So far no such deal exists, and it’s hard to see what kind of deal could meet that criteria. Looks like the Magic will risk losing him as a free agent . . .likely to New Jersey, where Deron Williams has been recruiting him big-time. Mark Cuban also believes he can talk him into coming to Dallas. In fact, Cuban may think he can get both Deron and Dwight . . .

15. Eldad

    Hello Bill. Could you please say to Odom that the reason the Lakers traded him is beacuse they were about to get the best PG in the game? Does he not see that? Why all the whining, he doesn’t think he’s better player than CP3 I hope.

    • Bill Ingram

      That was really bizarre . . .and his talk about missing LA and almost taking a year off. Probably the next thing will be that reality show wife of his will leave him to go back to LA and Odom will the worst person in the world instead of Kris Humphries. There’s an old song by Joe Diffie that really sums up Odom’s problems. It’s called “I’d like to have a problem like that.” You should look it up!

16. Steve

    Do you think the Cavs will make a trade like last year where they take on salary if it nets them an unprotected first. I would like to spend Dan Gilbert’s money with a Jamison for Okafer and a #1 or some of the Cav’s expiring contracts to Pheonix for Dudly, Warik and a#1 or even better both deals. The Cavs have the cap space next year to do it and the other teams would both be 40 mill under the cap next year if they amnesty ariza and childress.

    • Bill Ingram

      I do think we’ll see a mercy trade for Jamison, though interestingly he says he would really like to finish his career back home in Charlotte – rebuilding and all. The Suns don’t need him. In fact, the Suns need a mercy trade or two themselves. They definitely don’t need to get older. I also don’t see the Cavs taking on Okafor’s contract when they don’t need to. If they finish with another lottery pick they could possibly add Andre Drummond, and how nice would he look in the lineup with Irving??? I do think the Cavs will look for a trade for Jamison, and it would be nice to see him land with a playoff team.

17. Alex in Burbank

    Good morning Bill,
    With the rumor going around of NJ trading D-Will, if they can’t land Howard. Is there any deal the Lakers can offer NJ that will land them D-Will? Not including Bynum? Thanks!

    • Bill Ingram

      I don’t think so. The Nets believe Deron will stay, and that they can get Dwight. On top of that, Kobe was upset about the CP3 trade for some reason. Maybe it’s that there isn’t enough ball for the two of them? Deron Williams is no CP3, so I can’t imagine Kobe wanting him, either.

18. Brian

    Bill,

    Why isn’t Kahn in on Mayo? Is it that he isn’t willing to give up Love, Rubio, Williams (I agree with) and we don’t have the pieces that the Grizzlis want, or that he has no interest?
    I am frustrated, because I believe Mayo would fit nicely with Love and Rubio.

    Thanks!

    • Bill Ingram

      Really it comes down to Memphis just not being sure they want to trade him. If they did, they would have offers on the table from a half-dozen teams, including Indiana, Minnesota and New Jersey.

19. Andrew

    Any chatter on Wolves and SG trade rumors? Or are they happy with the imminent returns of Malcolm Lee and Martell Webster?

    • Bill Ingram

      The Wolves are still very much looking for a SG . . .may be waiting to see if Mayo really becomes available before they go in another direction.

20. Andrew

    As a Wolves fan, I’m keeping tabs on the Jazz season (we own their 1st round pick if they make the playoffs). How likely is it that they make it?

    • Bill Ingram

      A couple of weeks ago I would have said there’s no chance the Jazz make the playoffs, in all honesty. Now, however, I’m starting to think Corbin just needed a training camp – even a brief one – to figure his roster out. They’ve only beaten one really good team – Denver – but if they only beat the bad teams they can challenge for home court. That’s probably more than they can pull off, but they do look like a playoff team to me.

21. martay

    It’s 0 chance the magic can beat any of the top teams in the NBA and they are winning right now but they haven’t really beaten any good teams. I hear they won’t let him walk like shaw did so doesn’t that mean u gotta trade him? If bynum is second best in NBA; can magic really do better than that

    • Bill Ingram

      Yeah, like the Jazz, the Magic have a nice record but haven’t beaten anyone. It’s just that there are fewer good teams in the league. You can go weeks and only see a contender once. It sounds like Dwight is absolutely leaving, and ownership has to see that. What we’ve been told, however, is that making the playoffs with Dwight is better than missing them without him, even if it’s the last playoff run for Dwight in Orlando. The Magic are playing for today, without much thought about tomorrow.

22. ziad

    hello bill !

    with wade out , shouldnt the HEAT sign arenas ? scoring punch off the bench ?

    • Bill Ingram

      Well, if Wade really does have plantar fasciitis the HEAT could be in trouble. He’s their closer, so without him Miami will lose most close games that they’re involved in. Arenas could be an option, but he’s not the player he once was by a longshot. Miami may opt to use Battier and Cole more, which wouldn’t be a bad thing.

23. vnzla81

    What can you tell me about the Pacers do they make a move for a bigger piece?

    • Bill Ingram

      The Pacers weren’t planning on making major changes at all until West fell into their laps. That”s their big piece. They are extremely happy with the group they have, and will continue to count on internal development for the most part. They would like to add a true 2, namely Mayo, but if they can’t they will run with who they have. It’s a great group, and getting better by the day.

24. MagicJoe

    Could orlando get a key free agent if they have the cap space? Ds a team have to take turk in a deal for howard?

    • Bill Ingram

      The Magic are well over the cap . . .and yes, when the Magic had a deal done to move Dwight to NJ it involved sending out Hedo, as well. Of course, if ownership sticks to their guns about not trading Dwight it could be a moot point.

25. hank

    Does mo Williams have value around the league? Why not trade him for a deeper bench. Surely teams could use a scoring guard.

    • Bill Ingram

      I’m not sure you get much better by trading Mo, though there are surely a couple of teams that could use a combo guard with playoff experience. He only make $8.5 mill, so you might get two lesser players back, but you’re not going to get better, I don’t believe. Given CP3′s and Billups’ fragility, I like the idea of having him around to fill in, perhaps starting tonight while CP3 nurses his hamstring.

26. MagicJoe

    Does orlando have the option of dealing D12 on draft night?

    • Bill Ingram

      They do, but only if Dwight opts-in to the following season. But why would he? At that point he can sign anywhere he pleases long-term and make a ton of dough. You can’t trade a player on draft night who has an option pending.

27. j. Bizz

    Would Deron Williams be a better fit then Westbrook in OKC or does the youger more athletic Westbrook a better option?

    • Bill Ingram

      I really don’t think so. The Thunder have no interest in trading Westbrook, and especially taking back a huge contract like Deron’s. On top of that, if you think Westbrook has a chip on his shoulder you ain’t seen nothing yet. Deron makes Russell look like a cub scout. That’s it for me. As always, thanks for spending some of your Monday with us here at HOOPSWORLD. Next chat on the schedule is Stephen Brotherston, so drop your questions in now!