NBA Chat with Bill Ingram 3/11/13

1. Chris G

   If the Lakers make the playoffs, can you see people pushing for Kobe to win MVP? All respect to Lebron’s talents, but Kobe at 34 is changing his game, emphasizing assists and defense over scoring if needed, to will his team forward despite their early adversity. I think he’s showing how “valuable” he is to his team.

   • Bill Ingram

     Good Morning and welcome to the chat!You don’t have to convince ME, honestly. Kobe has been nothing short of amazing this season, given his age and how much of the load he has had to shoulder. Thing is, the MVP award is political as much as anything else, and it has a lot to do with the player’s team despite the individual nature of the award. LeBron and KD are the spotlight players in the NBA night in and night out, so my feeling is it will come down to those two once again.

2. T.J. Wilson

   Is it safe to say that both Marvin Williams and Michael Beasley were a couple of draft busts considering the fact that they were No.2 overall picks? Neither player has yet to live up to their respective draft positions.

   • Bill Ingram

     Very safe. In fact, it would be hard to categorize them any other way.

3. LayHee

   The Toronto Raptors scored a season high 37 points in the first quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers game this past week. It took a 41 point, 12 assist performance by Kobe Bryant to beat the Raptors that day in overtime. Some may focus on the win, I for one am extremely worried that it took such a performance from Kobe to beat a team AT HOME that is 14 games under 500. If they can’t stop the Raps offense and are that dependent on Kobe for their own offense – how are they to fair against any solid West team?? Question: Does performances such as this concern you this late into the Lakers season. Or should fans only focus on the old adage “a win is a win.” Your thoughts.

   • Bill Ingram

     Fans will no doubt focus on the win being a win, but I see it much like you do. The Lakers will only make the playoffs through the poor play of Utah, not because they deserve to be a playoff team in their own right. Assuming they make the playoffs, they are toast at the hands of OKC or San Antonio, whichever they wind up facing. Kobe has been brilliant . . .the rest of the team, not so much.

4. Chris

   Hi Bill. Best center in the NBA: Dwight Howard or Joakim Noah? My vote goes to Noah. Both have similar rebounding averages and Dwight has a higher FG %. However, Noah’s impact as a playmaker, his free-throw %, his ability to run the break, his leadership skills, and higher basketball IQ make him the better player.

   • Bill Ingram

     Dwight is the better player, but which is having a stronger impact on his team? Noah . . .no question at all. Noah is so important to the Bulls, and never questions his role or where he wants to be – I’d take him over Dwight, to be honest. The story in Chicago is never about Joakim. It’s about the Bulls, as it should be.

5. Peter

   Hey Bill! The Lakers are doing pretty well right now which sucks because most people would want to see them crash and burn. Do you think they can slip into the 7th or 8th seed? If so, do you think its going to be Hou or Uta falling out?

   • Bill Ingram

     I have a hard time seeing Utah as a playoff team, and I said that early in the season before they began their recent slide. They don’t have that great veteran to rally around and they have a head coach who hasn’t figured it out yet. If the Lakers don’t make the playoffs it will be their own fault – the Jazz are doing everything possible to earn an early vacation.

6. Peter

   I heard rumours over the weekend that the Rockets will pursue DH12…again. Is there any truth to this rumour? Also, it has been reported that if they miss out on Dwight, they’ll turn their attention to Bynum and J-Smoove. Why are they so desperately trying to find a Center to replace Asik? He has been great for them. Morey should turn his attention on a superstar PF instead.

   • Bill Ingram

     I agree completely, though obviously Smith is a PF, and the Rockets are very interested in him. They are also determined to land a star front court player to complement Harden, and Howard and Bynum are the big names on the list. Honestly, though, for what he’s giving them, Asik has been everything Houston could have hoped for and then some. I’m not sold Dwight – mental approach – or Bynum – another nightly injury story – would be better.

7. LA in LA

   1) Who are the Rockets best 1st rnd match up? I think the Griz and OKC would slaughter them, so it must be Clippers or Spurs right?

   2)Does the NBA provide free therapy or counseling for players? I feel like Brandon Knight’s going to need counseling between what Kyrie did to him at all-star break and Deandre literally posterizing him. BK is this year’s Mozgov.

   • Bill Ingram

     1) I agree – it’s the Clippers. I think they need a team that has a weak spot, and the Clippers have one on the bench in Vinny Del Negro. Not that McHale is any great tactician, but the Rockets do his two things well – move the ball and run. Put Gregg Popovich or Phil Jackson on the Clipper bench and they’re champs, but they have no such leadership. The Rockets need LA. 2) Teams do provide various services to their players, but it’s all based on what the team is doing. Brandon doesn’t need a counselor, he needs film for his iPad so he can learn and grow from those moments.

8. LA in LA

   What are your thoughts on:

   1) How Donatas M. has looked? And what would you estimate his ceiling?
   2) Will Harden’s D improve in next few years, or is he going to be a great scorer with average D at best?

   • Bill Ingram

     1) Well, he has been about as good as 2Pat was, so far, but he is still learning. I sat down with him to talk about his progress and his career, and that interview will be in today’s NBA PM. His ceiling is somewhere between Josh McRoberts and Dirk Nowitzki, according to Rockets management. 2) If Harden were playing for the Spurs I think his defense would improve, but the Rockets aren’t asking that of him. Players rarely improve defensively without a coach demanding it of them.

9. kwai_lo

   what’s your probable west playoff teams? Are the lakers for real? Do you see them as legit contenders?

   • Bill Ingram

     San Antonio, OKC, Memphis, LAC, Denver, Golden State, Houston, Lakers. Are they for real? They’re a playoff team, but can they beat their first round opponent? OKC or San Antonio? I wouldn’t put any money on that.

10. Jonathan

    Would the following make for the most exciting first round of the Western Conf playoffs?

    OKC vs. LAL
    SA vs. HOU
    LAC vs. GSW

    • Bill Ingram

      I’ll go with LAC/GSW, simply because the outcome is not a foregone conclusion. The Clippers would obviously be favored, but if the Warriors are healthy they could be a very interesting challenger.

11. Prismelk

    Flashback:

    If the Spurs have overcome the “0.4 shot” by Derek Fisher (I mean if it was ruled as not counted), and let’s say Manu didn’t foul Dirk on his lay-up during the dying minutes of their Game 7, do you see the them achieving a FIVE-peat?

    Do you see them eventually going to the NBA Finals and beating the 2004 Pistons and 2006 Heat? Because I do.

    Your thoughts, please?! Thanks!

    • Bill Ingram

      No doubt. It’s funny – I covered that game in San Antonio where Derek hit that huge three. No question they beat the Heat – Spurs ownership would not have gotten into a verbal altercation with David Stern, so Wade would have shot WAY fewer free throws and the Spurs would have won. #conspiracy_theory_believer

12. Prismelk

    What are the chances that Tim Duncan and Tony Parker will be on the All-NBA 1st team?

    This is because here is my list:
    C: Tim Duncan
    F: Kevin Durant
    F: LeBron James
    G: Tony Parker
    G: Chris Paul

    I just can’t put D12 over TD for the center position because of their record, and he is not even mentioned in the MVP races while Timmy has been. How about Joakim Noah?!

    Another is, with Tony almost ending up 2nd in the MVP races, I can’t see him ending up just in the NBA 2nd team. If Kobe or Dwyane sneaks in, then CP3 should be the one out, right?!

    I think it would be a shame for the NBA if TP9 doesn’t get credited with his greatness this season.

    Your thought, please? Thanks!

    • Bill Ingram

      It’s pretty hard not to put Tim on there given the Spurs’ outstanding record, though it helps that the legit centers have been injured or just mentally lost, like Dwight. Hard to see Noah or Lopez beating out Timmy, though they appear to be the main competition. Tony has been fabulous, but let’s be clear – there is absolutely no way Kobe isn’t on that team this year. If Tony is on it, as he should be, he has to ouster Chris Paul. TP’s injury might make the difference if he actually misses a month. Without the injury, Parker is a strong MVP candidate.

13. dub

    Hey Bill, I’m really struggling to see the direction of the raptors. As it stands they are going to be capped out of money and really do not have a great roster. How do they turn what they have into a contender? Is demar part of the future after his extension? Fields is an awful expensive backup sf, and what the hell do you do with the likes of Bargs!LOL…Failing to see the direction here

    • Bill Ingram

      Your questions are completely understandable . . .we’re all looking at that situation and scratching our heads. The Rudy Gay move was a good one, giving the Raptors the one thing they have been looking for at small forward – a star-caliber player who can deliver wins. The problem is that he’s struggling now that he has the role he thought he wanted. His efficiency is down across the board, and while he’s delivered a couple of big shots to win games, he has not been a franchise player for them yet. Bargs has to go, but you can’t just give him away. Teams don’t value him high enough to give the Raptors anything of real value, though that might change when he is expiring. Fields? Yeah. Awful move. Bargs is the key. If you can’t unload him for something of value you’re stuck with $60 million in payroll and a borderline playoff team.

14. dub

    Do you think philly are really kicking themselves for the bynum trade? Vucevic is a beast on the boards, I personally didnt expect him to rebound that well! They lost that,an allstar in IGGY and a great prospect in Harkless for another version of Greg Oden. I know hindsight is 20/20 but damn I feel they really lost bad on that one.

    • Bill Ingram

      Doug Collins said as much recently . . .he would love to have Vucevic back. It all depends, though. This year it was a terrible move, but if you put Vucevic, Harkless and Iggy back on that team that still can’t touch Miami. If Bynum is healthy next and gives them 25 and 12 with a few blocks every night it turns into a brilliant move. A healthy Bynum makes Philly interesting in the East.

15. Billy M

    There are times when Asik is out of the game that the Rockets can’t get rebounds. I was thinking that maybe they should do some practice without him in the lineup so that they can maybe learn to go after the ball better. Would that actually be benificial though? Also, do you think that DMo or TRob will improve that part of their game any time soon?

    • Bill Ingram

      That’s why they are interested in Bynum or D12 . . .they need two centers, and as much as Greg Smith has been good at times, he’s not consistently good. The best-case scenario would be to have Dwight starting and Asik backing him up, in the mind of Daryl Morey. Whether or not Daryl can actually sell Houston as a good spot for a key free agent is another question.

16. SatBchMagicer

    Good morning Bill; What’s the latest on Royce White’s standing with the Rockets and the Rocket’s standing with regard to Royce White? In your opinion, has acquisition of Thomas Robinson changed the future dynamic of HOU/White and fit between them?

    • Bill Ingram

      Royce is working the system now. He earned his way into the Vipers’ starting lineup and is now trying to show he is ready for the next step, which he doesn’t seem to be just yet. The Rockets have had too many power forwards for a while, and I think White’s ability to play multiple positions about be the key to his future with the Rockets. That said, Royce is really just an asset right now, like Marcus Morris was. The first time a team shows interest and will send Houston a first round pick, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him traded. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Houston trade D-Mo and start White somewhere down the line. Houston’s roster is very much a work in progress.

17. Jayjay

    With speculation that Pau could be amnestied, would it make sense for Lakers to trade them to Cavs for their number #1 pick back or Miami’s pick. Trade would clear the cap, Lakers gets a pick back,and I think Cavs would be very competitive next year with Pau added.

    • Bill Ingram

      Hard to see LA amnestying Pau when there are so many teams with interest and assets to offer. That speculation can’t be based on anything real. Your Cleveland example is a good one – he would make the Cavs a playoff team if he could stay healthy. That said, I’m not sure the Cavaliers are looking at an older player as the solution.

18. Keith Pari

    Where do you think the Bucks end up in the final standings…5th seems possible? If they indeed move up could they win a first round match up? Sanders for MIP and DPY?

    • Bill Ingram

      That Redick trade sure helped them, didn’t it? They were dead in the water before that deal. Atlanta and Boston look very vulnerable . . .

19. SatBchMagicer

    Hi Bill, do foresee any future NBA team interest in a 37 year old Raja Bell in 13/14-beyond season, especially given his end/departure from the Jazz?

    • Bill Ingram

      Absolutely . . .the Lakers would have LOVED to have had him, but the Jazz made sure they didn’t waive him before the cutoff for playoff rosters. Not sure what to make of Bell and the Jazz. He’s one of the smarter vets in the league.

20. Clip Fan

    With everyone saying that DH loves LA but can’t get along with Kobe. What are the chances he decides he wants to pair up with CP3? Would the Lakers accepts some combo of Jordan/Bledsoe/Odom/Picks in a S&T? Thanks

    • Bill Ingram

      LOL . . .ZERO chance. Dwight will miraculously find that his love for Kobe has never known such heights when it comes time to get paid. He’ll walk into negotiations sporting his brand new Kobe Bryant tattoo.

21. gegrgren

    lets say before the season okc agreed to trade james harden for manu ginobli, and nando de colo and first round picks. would okc be better with manu or k-martin???????

    • Bill Ingram

      Kevin Martin . . .Kevin almost never misses games, and has no minutes limitations. Manu in his prime? No question, that would be Manu.

22. mark

    Hi bill. Your thoughts on lakers this week? is it possible if they get undefetble this week tnx.

    • Bill Ingram

      Circle Friday on your calendar . . .Lakers can beat Orlando and Atlanta, but Indiana is tough.

23. Josh

    Hi Bill quick question:
    Who would you rather have on your Rockets: James Harden or Kyrie Irving? To me, those are the 2 young rising superstars in the league. I go Kyrie. What about you?

    • Bill Ingram

      I love Kyrie, not only for what he brings on the court, but also for the person he is off the court and the way he carries himself and reps his team. For my money, it’s Kyrie. But really, I’d take BOTH!

24. Jaksa

    Do you see Bucks moving up in the standings until the end of the season? And who do you think they will keep: Jennings or Ellis,both or no one? Thanks

    • Bill Ingram

      Alright, last question, everyone! The Bucks are peaking at the right time, no question. I’m not sold that two point guards in the backcourt is a winning strategy, so unless the Bucks get to the second round and beyond I think Hammond explores options on Ellis. He told me Brandon is in the long-term plan. They will likely let some other team set his market value and then match it and keep him. Smart business move. Thanks for spending some of your Monday with us here at HOOPSWORLD!

25. frank

    How do you feel about the Hawks signing Al Jefferson this summer? I love the idea of Horford/Jefferson combo. What about the Bobcats overpaying for Paul Millsap?

    • Bill Ingram

      Ok, one more. Al Jefferson and Horford on the front line? Love it . . .Millsap would help Charlotte in so many ways . . .but I don’t think they’re a team that will overpay for anyone.