NBA Chat With Bill Ingram 2/13/12

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, home of the reigning NBA champion Dallas Mavericks. 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. Omar El-Khodary

    Should this Pacer’s three game losing streak something to be worried about?

    • Bill Ingram

      Good Morning and welcome to the chat, everyone! Well, that streak is likely to hit four with the Heat next up for Indiana, but at least those have all been against playoff teams. I don’t put too much stock in streaks with the way the schedule is put together. If you look, the Pacers finally get a stretch of home games to end the month of February, and those are all against bad teams – NJ, Charlotte, NO, and Golden State. They’re also at Cleveland without Irving and @ Charlotte. The Pacers could finish the month with six straight wins and be right back at or near the top of the conference.

  2. zico

    LAL – Dwill
    Hou – Gasol
    NJN – K-mart, Scola and 1st rd picks from Lakers & Houston..?? could it happen??

    • Bill Ingram

      I could see the Rockets and Lakers doing that, but not the Nets. They will keep Deron Williams, as he is the key to landing Dwight Howard next summer. The two have talked extensively, and are even recruiting other players to join them next season.

  3. zman, India

    I read that the Lakers make a trade sending gasol to Houston for point guard Kyle Lowry and Luis Scola. That would be awesome as they would get a solid PG and also have a PF to make up for the loss of Gasol. They could also package a 1st rd pick to convince Houston to make the deal.. What say?

    • Bill Ingram

      The Rockets would gladly give up Scola and Martin for Gasol, but the Lakers don’t want Martin. Make it Lowry – which Houston won’t do – and you’ve got a deal. I’ve been saying that for months – Gasol and Scola are nearly the same player,
      with Scola being much cheaper. The Rockets get better defensively with Lee starting in place of Martin at the two, but it’s basically a wash at the four. I don’t think the team is that much better after such a trade. A little better, but not any closer to contending than they are now . . .especially since Gasol has made it clear he doesn’t want to be in Houston.

  4. zman, India

    How the hell isn’t K.Love an all star starter???

    • Bill Ingram

      Pretty hard to argue that Love isn’t the better player, but don’t forget – the starters aren’t necessarily about which player is best, but about which is most popular. Kevin Love has never dunked over a car, and until he does Griffin will likely get the start ahead of him. Teenagers who stuff the virtual ballot box care more about the dunk than they do leading the league in double-doubles. That’s why fans only get to pick five of the 12 All-Stars.

  5. Aleixo, lisboa

    hey bill, hws it goin man?? man i feel that if the los angles lakers get r.sessions they’ll be great cos dey’l hv retained their 2 seven footers and got a good PG.

    • Bill Ingram

      I have always liked Ramon, and he would be a much better addition than Gilbert Arenas, whose best days are far behind him. That said, he’s not enough to make them “great.” Right now they have about six players who get minutes and don’t contribute consistently on the offensive end. They need an impact player on the wing to be “great.” Or they need Peace to decide he’s not “bored” any more.

  6. Will

    Your gut feeling,where do you think Dwight lands after the trade deadline?

    • Bill Ingram

      If I were a betting person – which I am not – I would say he’ll be in New Jersey. He’s made it pretty clear that he’s heading there anyway, and I can’t imagine the Magic will gamble that he will stay next summer. That’s a VERY low-odds bet, indeed.

  7. Charlie

    Who am I? Last season I averaged less than 10 minutes played per game. This year I had 6 DNP due to coach’s decision. But now that I have been given minutes have led my struggling team to three straight wins averaging 27 points and 8 assists over those three games.

    • Bill Ingram

      I would guess you play for a team that’s pretty Knicked up, and are Lin-ding your talents until the team gets more Melo and maybe Amar’e productive power forward.

  8. Sweet Dee

    Bill Russell and Lenny Wilkens were both coach and player at the same time. Do you think this will ever happen again in the NBA? If so, what current players could you see as potential candidates.

    • Bill Ingram

      Not much chance of that in the modern NBA. The demands on the head coach are much, much greater now, and it would be nearly impossible for a player to do what he has to do to be ready to play and also do all of the work that has to be done to prepare as a coach, as well.

  9. Sweet Dee

    Rank these team’s young core: Jazz (Kanter, Favors, Haywood, Alex Burk, CJ Miles), Kings (Cousins, Evans, Fredette, Thorton) and Toronto (DeRozan, Valanacious, Ed Davis, Bayless, Bargnani)

    • Bill Ingram

      I have to put the Kings first. Not sure about second, as we haven’t seen Valanciunas play. From what I’m hearing he’s going to be an All-Star for the Raptors, and if that’s true he could make up for the fact that David and Bayless have yet to live up to expectations.

  10. Peter

    Hey Bill! Seems like the Rox are still in the hunt for Pau Gasol and are willing to give up Scola and Martin to get him. I know Gasol is a better player than Scola, but not by much. Also, he is in his 30s and is not gonna get any better. So why are the rockets so keen on getting him and are wiling to give up that much?!

    • Bill Ingram

      They know Lee can start at the two and give them a much better defensive presence who can still score at a high rate. Or course, Lee’s camp has asked for a trade and the Rockets are talking to teams around the league about moving him . . .but they are asking more than most teams are willing to give up, so moving Martin might make more sense. Not to the Lakers, though. They want Lowry, not Martin.

  11. Mike

    How many draft picks do the Jazz have this year? I have read in some web sites that they have two, others say one. I would love to see them go after Brad Beal. I know they picked a SG last year but the Jazz desperately need someone to spread the floor. I’m sure they’ll address the pg problem but they have never had a decent three point threat.

    • Bill Ingram

      Never? I think Jeff Hornacek would differ with you. :) Here’s their draft pick situation: Utah Jazz: Receives Golden State’s 2012 first-round pick (top-7 protected in 2012 and 2013, top-6 protected in 2014, else 2014 and 2016 second-round picks) via Utah (from the Marcus Williams trade on 9/29/09) from the Deron Williams trade on 2/23/11.

  12. Mehdi

    Do you think with the players in Portland lacking confidence, and the blazers struggling to close out that Nate Mcmillan may soon find himself in the hot seat?

    • Bill Ingram

      I don’t think Nate is the problem, honestly. They traded for Ray Felton thinking he would be an upgrade over Andre Miller, but then Ray came in out of shape and is still struggling to run the offense. Nate said on Saturday that he’s more confident in Jamal Crawford right now, and it was easy to see why against Dallas. The ball was popping and moving and Crawford made things happen in the paint, where Felton was missing and then refusing to take open shots. I think Felton will come around, but until he does the PG spot is Portland’s biggest problem.

  13. Luke

    Do you agree with Trail Blazer beat writer that Jamal Crawford should start at pg? he argues that crawford spreads the floor, sets teammates up better, and doesn’t commit lousy turnovers

    • Bill Ingram

      Great timing on that question . . .Overall, Crawford and Felton are both shooting right at 38%, with Felton being more of a distributor – 6.5 assists to Crawford’s 3.8 – and Crawford being the better scorer – 14.8 to Felton’s 10.5. Change for change’s sake is not necessarily good, but can also get players a little more focused. The risk of such a move is that you lose Felton, who was adamant that he wanted to start last season and was therefore traded.

  14. SenseiOfSoul - Chicago

    What’s up Bill? I gotta say that I am loving the success story that is Jeremy Lin. Undrafted, overlooked and now putting up monster numbers and getting national attention. My question to you is this: Does NY have any hope of keeeping him after this season? As I see it, he is a national sensation who is on a one-year deal, and The Knicks have 50 million tied up between STAT, Melo, and T.C. There are going to be a lot of teams knocking on Mr. Lin’s door; many of whom will be offering more money than The Knicks could even hope to. I doubt that Jeremy Lin, a Harvard grad, who majored in economics, will forego his impending huge payday for spot on Landry Fields couch and locker at MSG. What do you think?

    • Bill Ingram

      There is a universal truth that the Knicks are going to have to accept, which is that players (and agents) want to get paid. If Lin can sustain the success he’s enjoyed to this point he will get a huge raise next season, and the Knicks will have to start searching for a PG again.

  15. Derek

    Dwight wants to be “the closer”, really?? The team wins and he’s not happy! I thought he wanted to win. I really think he’s forcing his way out and is acting Extremely immature, what is going on with the Howard we loved, and respected??

    • Bill Ingram

      Dwight has to understand that as long as he’s going to shoot 49% from the foul line he’s never going to be a factor late in close games. The Magic can’t afford to have him on the floor . . .we’ve seen how that plays out. The hack-a-Dwight begins and missed free throws make it hard for the Magic to close out a game. Dwight is clearly distracted by his own rumor-mongering, and it’s only going to get worse as we get closer to the deadline.

  16. winn

    I think Jeremy Lin should have a nickname (general Lin)

    • Bill Ingram

      I’ve heard more nicknames for that kid than I have for any other player in NBA history . . .LOL . . .Even more than “The Master of Disaster” Apollo Creed . . .

  17. Edward Lee

    Mel + Chandler + filler = Howard + filler.

    Knicks doesnt need Melo anymore with Lin playing so well.

    • Bill Ingram

      Don’t forget that Hedo is part of any Dwight package, and while that almost works with Melo and Chandler, it’s hard to see the Knicks giving up Melo just because Lin has had a few good games. And frankly, if I’m Orlando, I’m not all that crazy about acquiring Melo. They need a center who will draw a double-team to make sense of the rest of the roster, and Chandler is not that. It’s why Lopez likely lands in Orlando.

  18. NeeNam

    15 points, 8 assist, 4 rebs and 1.50 steals per game for the harvard ShaoLIN once melo and stat comes back. too high/low?

    • Bill Ingram

      Doesn’t sound unreasonable . . .clearly his scoring will go down and assists will go up with Melo and Amar’e in the mix. He’s got to work on the turnovers, as well, but having more targets around him will help.

  19. Geoffrey

    Bill, Good day. Huge Kings fan here, do you hear anything going on with them? How would a Reke for Rondo trade look for both teams? It seems like Boston really isn’t sold on Rondo as a building block for the future. Thanks

    • Bill Ingram

      Since Tyreke is *really* a shooting guard, it’s hard to see the Celtics making that move right now. I also don’t think the Kings are the least bit interested in trading him. Patience is the word right now, as Keith Smart is just starting to work his system into place and the team is responding to him in very measurable ways. Rondo isn’t someone who comes in and wins over his teammates, something Tyreke has already done in Sacramento. I want to see how they look in 2 months before I start making major roster moves. That’s something to look at over the offseason. I think the Kings will be very good under Smart.

  20. English Knick

    Why am I much more confident in Stat’s ability to come back in and not disrupt the way we’re playing than I am with Melo? If Melo comes back in and gums up the offense, should we trade for depth? What could we get? Rockets seem like a partner – K-mart, Buddinger, Dragic and picks for Melo and Douglas?

    • Bill Ingram

      That’s a heck of a contract for some team to absorb, especially after Melo’s game has now been on a huge stage in NY and been exposed for what it is. There’s a reason the Nuggets were better without him . . .he is a one-dimensional player getting paid 3-diminensional money. That said, the Rockets were very interested in Melo last year and had a package on the table. The Knicks need depth and Houston has it. I think the Rockets have moved on from their interest in Melo, and he would screw up the defense they’ve built this season, but they do have a lot of depth to offer in trade.

  21. Austrian powers

    What do you think of the following trade:
    LAL gets rondo and j.oneal, Boston gets Scola, dragic, martin, Houston gets Gasol.I think this trade could help al teams

    • Bill Ingram

      That’s a tough one for LA. You get the elite point guard you covet, but lose a significant front court player. O’Neal gets hurt right away and then you’re toast.

  22. Aaron

    Do you think the jeremy lin story uncovers some reverse racism at work in the nba? This guy was always shafted despite constantly producing at every level. You can’t help but think that if he were black he would have been given opportunity after opportunity to succeed, but since he’s asian he basically had to be twice as good as the rest just to maybe get a shot at what others got handed to themselves.

    • Bill Ingram

      I think you watch a little too much Screamin’ A. Smith. Teams need to win, and if that means giving a Martian a shot, they will give a Martian a shot. I’m not saying racism is dead in the NBA … that would be great … but I don’t see it as a factor at all with Lin. You can’t think his being Asian meant the Houston Rockets, of all teams, looked past him.

  23. JP

    1-Do you think that Minnesota can land JR Smith cap wise?
    2-Can he give us that fire power that is now the team lacking of?
    3-How would you rate Pekovic chances to develop his defensive skills to be the defensive presence we are needing inside for years now?

    • Bill Ingram

      I actually think that’s a distinct possibility, if Adelman can convince Kahn to take a chance on Smith. We’re talking about the coach who made Ron Artest to channel his energies towards the basketball court; I think he can do the same for Smith. It’s a risk, of course, introducing a disruptive player into a young core group, but I think Adelman can handle it, and Smith could be the piece that gets them to the playoffs.

  24. Hurricane Game

    Morning Bill! love you chats, in your ideal world, what kind of deals would you like to see happen at the deadline that would make the league better?

    heres mine:

    -Lakers trade Gasol and picks for scola, lowry and thabeet

    -Bulls trade Joakim noah, ronnie brewer and picks for dwight howard (Hey, us buls fans can dream right?)

    -lakers sign gilbert arenas, plays off the bench as backup 2guard

    -miami heat sign pryzbilla

    -knicks sign mike james

    -deron williams gets traded to the mavs, for anything outside of dirk

    any deals you would like to see happen?

    • Bill Ingram

      I’d like to see JR Smith land in Minnesota … Rajon Rondo traded to the Utah Jazz … Can’t wait to see Wilson Chandler back with the Nuggets … OJ Mayo to the Indiana Pacers …

  25. Mateo

    Is fesenko available for celtics? I think they need an upgrade now at center position coz they’ve been using garnett extensively. If he’s not available, who are the possible candidates?

    • Bill Ingram

      I don’t see why not . . .the Hawks were considering him before they went with Erick Dampier. Dan Gadzuric and Earl Barron might be options, as well.

  26. Eldad

    Whats going on with Laker small forwards during last decade? Every single one stops playing good after LA signs him to full MLE money. Devean George, Luke Walton, Ron Peace :) … like a curse. Anyways, HW writers have very different opinions on Rondo for PG rumoured trade…what do you think about chances of that happening, and who would win?

    • Bill Ingram

      I think Rondo would be a good fit in LA, but they would have the same problem Boston has, which is that Rondo won’t communicate. He and Kobe would likely be at odds. The Lakers would need to get Bass back in that deal, though, as Jermaine O’Neal is not going to see much action. I don’t think it will happen, but it is one of the many Rondo trade rumors floating around. Clearly Boston is making calls.

  27. Alex

    Hi Bill,

    I’ve two questions.

    Would the rockets improve drastically after this trade suggestion?

    LAL gets Scola, Dragic and Flynn
    HOU gets Gasol

    NOH gets Thabeet, Hill, Williams + NY pick
    HOU gets Kaman

    Why did the Rockets waive Lin instead of Adrien if they decide to waive him anyway?

    • Bill Ingram

      Honestly, that’s on McHale and his staff. Morey made the cut, obviously, but he wouldn’t have done it if Lin was playing at all. No chance the Hornets take Thabeet . . .none. Scola and Dragic would absolutely help the Lakers . . .but losing Dragic hurts the Rockets more than getting Gasol helps.

  28. Shad

    Milsap, Harris, and Golden States pick for Rondo and O’Neil

    • Bill Ingram

      I was actually just on a Houston radio show and they asked me where Rondo will wind up . . .I said I thought Utah would be an interesting spot. Devin might find a home with Doc Rivers, and Rondo would make the Jazz a force to be reckoned with.

  29. Brian

    Good day, Bill.

    Hearing anything on the trade front for the Wolves? Still no production at the 2 and it’s killing them. Rubio and Love can’t do it alone. I know we can’t panic and make a bad trade and risk the future, so will they just stand pat and sign a SG in the offseason?Pek is coming around though!

    Thanks!

    • Bill Ingram

      Pekovic is playing very well, and it’s great to see! You love it when a player lives up to their potential. I know the Wolves are interested in Mayo and Courtney Lee . . .perhaps JR Smith . . .but nothing is close. Other teams know the Wolves are a 2 away from being a playoff team, as well, and won’t give them one without exacting a steep price.

  30. Hurricane Game

    With the rumors of a possible Gasol for Rondo deal, is it time for the pacers to jump in and claim their pg of the future? they tried to get him earlier in the year with their “cp3″ proposal, and now apparently, he will be on the market again if the celtics arent contenders by the deadline.

    the pacers can offer alot to the celtics, they can completely consume his contract for a few picks and the celtics dont have to take back any salary. or they can make a deal giving the celtics collison and picks for rondo

    or they could even take a much bigger step and trade collison and george for allen and rondo, would be a great deal for the celts and they would save cap, but i doubt the pacers would want to deal both george and collison for rondo and allen, but should they step in and be agressive for rondo?

    adding him to their team makes them automatic contenders in the east for years, any chance this happens?

    • Bill Ingram

      Honestly, the Pacers believe they have their point guard of the future in Collison, who has made dramatic strides forward this season with the help of George Hill. Also, absolutely no chance the Pacers deal Paul George. I think they would deal Danny Granger before they dealt Paul.

  31. Zac

    whats the deal with my blazers they were competitive last year on the road and now they cant win a game! has it been long enough to call ray felton a bust and try to go after another pg… Dj augistein maybe?

    • Bill Ingram

      Not sure Augustin is a better option, though Kemba Walker is making a case for himself in Charlotte. The Blazers need a vocal leader at the point, which is why they traded Andre Miller, and DJ is not vocal at all. Ray is vocal and has won over many of his new teammates, but he hasn’t brought his “A” game yet this season. He and McMillan aren’t quite seeing eye-to-eye. Too soon to call it a bust, though. It’s been a crazy season, and Ray has been a very good point guard throughout his career. I think he’ll come around.

  32. rick

    what would it take the lakers to get raymond felton?

  33. Brooks

    Couple Lakers questions:

    1. What do you think the Lakers can get from the Rockets for Pau? K.Lowry?

    2. The rumors about signing A.I., would that help the Lakers by giving us another scoring option?

    3. What move do you see happening for the Lakers before the deadline?

    Thanks!

    • Bill Ingram

      Rockets don’t want to part with Kyle – see my earlier comments. It’s hard to imagine Iverson and Kobe co-existing unless the NBA expands the game to include two balls. Only one player can lead the team in scoring, and having two who won’t pass doesn’t generally lead to wins. I think the Lakers use the Odom TPE to add a key piece before the deadline, though they are far from settled on what piece that might be.

  34. Hurricane Game

    is there any concievable way that the bulls get howard by the deadline? i have a feeling the magic are waiting on lopez to return to see how much he can bring to their team. i think a package of lopez and the nets pick is interesting, but at the end of the day, if howard goes to the nets, they wont be a lottery team and probably will finish 7th or 8th in the east if they acquire him by the deadline

    hands down the bulls have the best offer of noah, asik, picks and maybe gibson for howard. is there any way the magic FO can convince howard that they will only trade him to the bulls because they have the best package, and if he doesnt accept a deal to chi then they will keep him and let him walk?

    or do you think howard would consider walking regardless just to be “the man” in NY?

    • Bill Ingram

      I think the Bulls have the pieces to get Dwight, absolutely, but they aren’t really all that interested. You’re talking about the team with the East’s best record, due in part to their depth. Getting Dwight (and Hedo) would mean giving up that depth and disrupting the chemistry that has put the Bulls on top. Hard to see Chicago risking that . . .even though the thought of Rose and D12 in the same lineup is SICK!

  35. Jim

    What do you make of Ron Artest er.. Metta World Peace dogging Mike Brown in an interview w\ KBerg recently? Saying he wasn’t a player so he doesn’t understand anything but stats and that he should be allowed to shoot 1-9 throughout the game because he will make a stop at the end? Self-delusion anyone?

    • Bill Ingram

      I don’t put much stock in anything Ron says. He also said he isn’t playing well because he’s bored with basketball. We’re not talking about a high basketball IQ. :)

  36. Mike

    Why is Courtney Lee trying to get out of town?

    • Bill Ingram

      Because of the way the Rockets are going to handle his contract situation . . .his agent has seen it play out with Landry, Brooks and Lowry and he would rather have his client somewhere else.

  37. Ricky

    i know the Knicks can offer $1.5 million more, but the Clippers can offer JR Smith the possibility of being their long term starting shooting guard. Plus playing alongside CP3 can you paid, ala Marcus Thornton…

    • Bill Ingram

      I think the Clippers are a distinct possibility now that Billups is out . . .Martin and Billups are certainly doing all they can to convince JR to come to town. That said, the Timberwolves may be their biggest challenge. Minnesota with JR Smith is a playoff team, for sure. He could prove to be a long-term solution there, and with Adelman he would likely be extremely successful.

  38. daniel

    Should the Lakers use there trade exception to go after steven jackson of the bucks?

    • Bill Ingram

      Not a bad idea, though the Lakers are thinking PG. Jackson could play the three and give the Lakers the scoring punch they lack on the wing.

  39. devonte

    do you have a feeling of what team j.r smith is leaning towards or what is your guess in what team he goes to?

    • Bill Ingram

      My guess would be LAC, just because of the Martin/Billups factor, but I don’t think he’s really made a decision yet. He’s waiting to see what other offers might surface from teams with more money.

  40. Scott Whitney

    How much upside does Ryan Anderson have? Can he be an all-star? I know he benefits from Dwight, but even when Orlando first acquired him I thought he was a player that could really attribute.

    • Bill Ingram

      I think we’re seeing his upside right now…but how good is he without Dwight? Not sure he can create his own offense without D12 drawing his defender away. He’s been great, though, no question!

  41. niko#3

    Hey Bill
    What do you know about Iverson and LA rumors? I mean, man Iverson and Kobe playing together, that would be awesome to watch.

    • Bill Ingram

      It might be…but it might also be a disaster… Iverson won’t defer, even to Kobe…

  42. Mike

    Hey Bill,
    Why have the Ramon Sessions to the Lakers talks cooled is it because of the injury to Irving, L.A’s resistance to including a 1st rounder, or something else entirely. The one thing it isn’t is a large number of upgrades at PG on the market. So what is holding this up?

    • Bill Ingram

      I’m sure it’s the plethora of other options the Lakers are exploring…

  43. TL

    Three teams trade . Orl gets Bynum, Martin. LaL gets Howard,scola,Davis . Hou gets gasol,hedo. ????

    • Bill Ingram

      Houston’s not taking Hedo….he is only appealing if he lands you Dwight…

  44. Dallas

    How is Calderon not a Laker, you’d think there’d be a deal there? Also, if Toronto moves Barbosa, who do you think would have interest?

  45. MAC

    Follow up question regarding AI to Lakers…
    I understand your point about AI and two balls needed with Kobe etc… but AI off the BENCH! Lakers need scoring off the BENCH… we can get him with veterans minimum right?

    • Bill Ingram

      Well we all know how willing Iverson is to come off the bench, right? See: Memphis

  46. Mike

    Do you see anyone interested in Jamison? Are the Cavs willing to part with him?

    • Bill Ingram

      Cavs love that Jamison brings a winning mentality to the office every single day. They aren’t looking to deal him . . .