NBA Chat With Bill Ingram 3/19/12

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. Chris G

    Isn’t it important for the Bulls to have the #1 seed in the East, not so much for home court in the ECF, but because that should allow them to avoid Miami, Orlando, maybe Boston and/or New York until the Eastern Finals . . . and let those teams beat up the Heat.

    • Bill Ingram

      Good Morning, everyone, and welcome to the chat! You’re exactly right. The first seed brings with it many benefits, the most important of which is a somewhat easier path to the Conference Finals. I don’t see much happening beyond the two three or four seeds in the East, honestly. The Bulls and HEAT are contenders, but beyond that we’re all waiting for some level of consistency from the next wave. Indiana, Philly and Orlando are good but not great, the Hawks are one notch below them with Horford out, and then it’s a race for mediocrity. Whichever team lands the first seed could have a paved highway to the ECF.

  2. Chris G

    Teams like Philly, Indiana, Denver, and Houston are good playoff teams with good players, but none of them have a superstar. Do you see anyone on those teams who could develop into a superstar, or will they have to acquire someone to take the next step?

    • Bill Ingram

      I think in Denver and Indiana you have clear candidates. Gallo and Ty Lawson look like stars already, at times, and are only getting better. Indiana’s Paul George looks like the kind of player who could be the real star they’ve been looking for. Due credit to Danny Granger, but he’s not a superstar. In Philly, perhaps Evan Turner has that kind of potential. Really, I think they just have a bunch of really good players. I’m not sold Houston is a playoff team, but with Portland and Minnesota bowing out, they could be. Kyle Lowry is their best player and could prove to be a superstar. He’s made significant strides over the last year. That said, Houston is still looking for their next superstar.

  3. JP

    Is this the most important offseason of this new century for Twolves with so many decisions to make and possible players to get or trade for?
    Beasley and Randolph with their Qualifying Offers, Webster and Miller non-guaranteed contracts, Tolliver´s contract expiring. Don´t forget the amnesty clause. With Derrick Williams rise and with the possibility for him to play as SF, Wes Johnson perhaps becomes expendable if he fails to deliver with consistency in the end of the season. You have Ridnour who once Rubio comes back can be moved to leave Rubio and Barea alone. You still need that SG if Ellignton fails to play better and perhaps also a reliable backup (Multiple options: Mayo, Lee, Rudy Fernandez, Gordon, Fields, JR Smith, Terrence Williams, Bellineli, Anderson, Rush or others to trade for).
    What do you think? What would you do?

    • Bill Ingram

      You’re absolutely right. The Wolves are on the cusp of greatness, and must proceed in a very careful and calculated way to reach their potential. First and foremost I think the Wolves need to make big enough offers to restricted free agents like OJ Mayo and Courtney Lee that the Grizzlies and Rockets don’t match. Eric Gordon would be great, but it sounds like the Hornets may be owned by a group including Mike Dunleavy, and he has a good relationship with Gordon that could keep him in town. I doubt they keep Randolph at all, and they probably let Beasley walk, as well, depending on how he plays between now and then.

  4. Deven

    Hi Bill. With Derek Fisher being bought out by the Rockets, any bold predictions of where he might end up? And can he return to the Lakers after this season, or is he officially done with that organization?

    • Bill Ingram

      He can’t return to LA as a player until July 2013, and I suspect he will be in OKC. The Thunder need a PG to replace Eric Maynor, and Fisher would probably benefit Westbrook in many ways off the court, as well.

  5. paprika

    Wassup bill? Is there any exciting buzz on waive guys or free agents to be signed? Or the roster of teams right now are pretty much it for the playoffs?

    • Bill Ingram

      Sounds like Turiaf could land in Boston, which helps them, and Fisher maybe in OKC or Miami. I don’t think anything happens that shifts the balance of power. Even after all the trades the top of each conference looks basically the same as before the moves were made.

  6. adobo nation

    Steve smith said after dhoward signed in for the magics that he noticed that they dont go to dwith much. And its kinda like plays for guards and not feeding the big guy inside. So i watch the miami orl game this sunday. True ,early in the forth u can see dwith asking for the ball and we all know no one in the heat can guard him. And no one gives the ball not even his friend nelson. We saw the great kobe pass the ball to shaq and still he is called selfish. Then what do u call this entire magic team who doesnt trust the best center NOW in the nba. I guess the need a new coach. Let patrick ewing coach!

    • Bill Ingram

      I don’t agree about Ewing, but that’s exactly Dwight’s ongoing complaint. He’s simply not the focal point of Stan’s offense for long stretches of games – especially in the fourth quarter of close games. That’s partially because he can’t hit free throws, and teams will simply foul him late in games and count on him missing. This is why Stan is unlikely to be the Magic’s coach next season. If they want Dwight to stay, they’re going to need a coach who will run the offense through him.

  7. Joe Shafer

    If the rockets miss the play offs do you think that with 3 (depending on Dallas) draft picks, two potentially in the lottery if NY plays poorly can net us a serious player to build around this year? Is Donatas coming over next year? Lull?

    • Bill Ingram

      The thing is, none of those picks are lottery picks unless Houston misses the playoffs, and then it would take a miracle to be a top pick. Otherwise it’s another prospect player who spends time in the D-League. The Rockets need to commit to winning or commit to losing. As it is, they’re in no man’s land. Too good for a top pick and not quite good enough to be a playoff team. Haven’t heard about Donatas or Lull, but I know some believe Donatas could be the next superstar from Europe, so there is some hope out there!

  8. Lior

    Any financial details on Fisher’s buyout? Any of his salary going on the books for next year (cap wise)?
    Also, I’d trade Martin/Lowry and keep Lee/Dragic as starters. Lee plays both ends of the floor and is not injury prone. I don’t think Rockets Mgt. agrees with me. I think they’d let them go in free agency.

    • Bill Ingram

      You’re right – Rockets management doesn’t agree with you. I do. Lee is so much better than Kevin, though Kevin is a pure scorer. Lee does a lot of things on both ends of the floor, and I think now that he’s starting people are finally starting to see it. Maybe management is, too. I still like Lowry an awful lot. He and Dragic are the perfect one-two punch at point. And no, Fisher’s buyout doesn’t impact next year’s cap, from what I hear. Complete details are not yet out.

  9. Raps Fan

    How come when Big Z was traded a few years ago in the Ben Wallace deal to the Cavs he was bought out and allowed to rejoin the Cavs but they won’t let Fisher rejoin the Lakers.

    • Bill Ingram

      The new CBA changed the rules . . .instead of having to wait 30 days, like the old CBA, players have to wait a calendar year. It closes that particular loophole.

  10. Jason

    Hey bill,
    Can you compare jerryd bayless with brandon jennings. Do you think if jerryd is given more minutes that he could have the same production as jennings consistently. And do you think jerryd has the tools to be a starting PG in the NBA?

    • Bill Ingram

      Two very different players. Jerryd is more of a physical, scoring guard. Jennings is quicker, lighter and a more prolific scorer. I’ve seen Bayless get significant minutes and he’s struggled on every stop along his NBA path. He has a lot of potential, but I’m not sure he can be a consistent starter.

  11. Anthony

    Until yesterday’s game, I did not know that Alonzo Gee was a PF at Alabama. With that transition in mind, and given his improvement this season, where do you see his ceiling being?

    • Bill Ingram

      I don’t think we’ve found his ceiling, and that’s something the Cavs are absolutely counting on going forward. For a minute there they even looked like a playoff team. Add another lottery pick to the core group and the Cavs are back in postseason play in record time.

  12. Jazzfan

    Thanks for the chat you guys are awesome for doing these, givin the way the Jazz young guys have played these last few games do you think coach Corbin should start increasing their minutes more even when Bell and Jefferson return?

    • Bill Ingram

      Thanks for taking part – we couldn’t do them without you! Yeah, watching that Lakers game last night I was wondering if maybe it’s not time to turn the minutes over to Burks and Kanter. If they can do that against the Lakers, they’re ready for the big time. Maybe not consistently, but give them the minutes and watch them grow. Bell and Jefferson aren’t improving. In fact, I was wondering how hard the Jazz were shopping Jefferson at the deadline. He doesn’t have much trade value, but he also needs to have a reduced role in Utah.

  13. Big Sean

    Hey Bill, do you see orlando going after fisher since duhon clearly isn’t getting it done and who do orlando target in free agency?

    • Bill Ingram

      I doubt it. As good as Fisher is, the Magic don’t need another aging pg. As far as free agency, how about Marcus Camby? The Magic need a backup center – a real one, not just Baby, whom they would trade in a heartbeat.

  14. Jason

    Do you see a super team brewing in orlando for summer of 2013

  15. Ivo

    Hello, Mr Ingram, it’s nice to be able to chat with you. I’m a bulgarian placed intern journalist and my strenght is in basketball, but bulgarian journalism is not quite developed as yours.

    My question is if you think the Lakers are going to be be active in the trade market during the summer. I think so, but I can not be involved with the NBA as you can be. I came to this conclusion, because Lamar Odom was traded to the Mavs. Now Fisher was traded, Kapono and Walton too, and in Lakers came players, who get less money than the ones that left. I was wondering if it’s true that the Lakers have aroun 10 to 15 million dollars to spend on the salary of an All-Star player, that might be available next summer, or even if Gasol is traded and use those money for 1-2 really good and maybe young stars? I hope you understand what i’m trying to ask, my English is a mess right now. Thanks for the time (:

    • Bill Ingram

      Hello Bulgaria! While it’s true the Lakers have cleared some money off of their cap, they are still going to be luxury tax payers next season as they have nearly $84 million in committed salary. I think the Lakers will be very active in trade talks, looking to trade one star like Pau Gasol for two starters, something like that. The deal they wanted from Houston would have landed Luis Scola and Kyle Lowry, and that’s the kind of trade the Lakers need if they’re going to add much of anything. Did that answer your question? Your English isn’t that bad!

  16. Raptor fan

    How do you think jonas valanciunas’ transition to the nba will be next yr? Does he have all star/superstar potential?

    • Bill Ingram

      I haven’t seen him play, but I’ve talked to scouts who have and I’ve talked to Bryan Colangelo about him, as well. They believe he’s an All-Star talent, the perfect complement to Bargnani. The suffering is about to be over in Raptorland!

  17. Cheekz

    Bill I love your guys site be on here everyday since the lockout ended your coverage on everything is pretty close to impeccable…Anyways two questions 1. Terrance Williams to Lakeshow? 2. I’m headed overseas to play ball in august any chance you guys ever expand your coverage & give some American overseas ballers some love?

    • Bill Ingram

      Thanks! We appreciate you reading! I think T-Will has some talent, for sure, but his attitude is what’s holding him back. Someone recently drew a comparison to Gerald Green, and it’s a fair comparison. GG had to go overseas and to the D-League to find his professionalism, and once he did, look – he’s back in the NBA. T-Will needs to broaden is perspective, I think. Good luck overseas! I hope to see you in the NBA!

  18. daniel

    Does Deron have a chance landing in houston?

    I believe he does because I think if he leaves NJ it will be a sign and trade for him. NJ wont walk away with nothing. The only problem is Dallas doesn’t really have anything to give back to NJ. If Williams does do a sign and trade, I do believe Houston would be in the mix.

    • Bill Ingram

      No chance . . .the Rockets are looking at big man options, and they really don’t need help in the backcourt at all. They believe Lowry has even more potential than he’s shown, and I think they’re right. Deron and Kyle are similar in many ways – Kyle just isn’t as high on himself as Williams is.

  19. Mike from MTL

    Was D’Antoni really to blame with the Knicks? Since they’ve been winning without him (and Carmelo shooting less), isn’t the problem more about Carmelo’s shot selection and the team’s (i.e. Melo and A’mare) focus on D?

    • Bill Ingram

      That was always the problem, but it always goes this way. You fire the coach (or encourage him to quit) and hope it all works out. You can’t afford to trade Melo with his stock as low as it is when you just gave up half your team to get him.

  20. 5mangame

    Trying to understand coaching decisions and overall philosophy of minutes management intrigues me. One of the most mystifying is Carlisle, who I like very much. But I simply have been baffled by his handling of Roddy. How did West start over Roddy? Will West start again when he comes back? It seemed like Rick forced the 1 on Roddy when he’s a natural scoring 2. Your thoughts?

    • Bill Ingram

      Rick looks for consistency, and Roddy has only been really good in spots. That said, Rick has praised him repeatedly of late, and I think we’ll see more of West and Beaubois together when Delonte gets healthy. Kidd can use the time off.

  21. like a bull

    Bulls need a 2 guard rip isnt living up to the hype. Excuse me if im wrong but we should cut loose mike james sign powe or powell and terrance williams. T will has size 6’6 220. Can play d,pass,shoot the 3 and he can create for himself. T will makes sense to me and he`s only 24.

    • Bill Ingram

      I don’t think T-Will and Coach T would be very good fit, honestly. Thibs is a discipline guy, and T-Will is not that kind of player. Their best bet is for Rip to get healthy and start producing.

  22. Billy M

    The Rockets have 3 picks in this upcoming draft? Any chance they trade up or just trade them for a player? Also, I haven’t heard much about free agents this summer. What big names might head to market?

  23. andrew

    Great chats as always. With the addition of patty mills, how do you see the spurs fairing in the west? Good pickup for them?

    • Bill Ingram

      Thanks! The Spurs miss the energy and versatility that George Hill brought into play, and while Mills is no George Hill, he will bring some similar skills to the table. A nice pick-up for the Spurs, though not as nice as Stephen Jackson!

  24. da wink

    Are the Rox tanking or what? Can’t believe that they only signed a D-Leaguer to back up Dragic..another is DM missed out on Patty Mills..the team needs stability at the point..are they contented with Fortson?

    • Bill Ingram

      Well, in all fairness, they also traded for Derek Fisher, he just didn’t want to be on a non-contender. They’re not tanking; in fact, I’ve been told there could be major changes in Houston if they don’t make the playoffs this season. As there should be . . .they don’t get significantly better year over year as most other rebuilding teams do.

  25. MikeM

    Does SJax help enough in San Antonio, or do they need to get Fisher, Mills or another backup PG? Any chance Turiaf goes to Spurs?

    • Bill Ingram

      I’m hearing Turiaf to Boston. And yes, the Spurs needed another PG in addition to Jackson. They signed Mills a couple of days ago.

  26. Big Dave

    Who are some of the big guys available through buyouts or not on roster that can be had. I doubt Kamen becomes available but if he does how much would it cost a team like the bulls to pick him up for the remainder of the season…

    • Bill Ingram

      The Hornets aren’t buying out Kaman. No chance. Chicago may have some needs, but center isn’t one of them. Noah and Asik form one of the better center duos in the NBA, especially on the defensive end.

  27. Jon

    Are my eyes deceiving me or is Gerald Green better than Brooks, Morrow, and Stephenson?

    • Bill Ingram

      He’s finally gotten it. GG has always been supremely talented . . .now his head has caught up to his body and it’s a great thing to watch!

  28. Do WHAT?

    We know the different trades that wen down with the Rockets, but did you hear of any potential trade the Rockets were working on prior to the deadline? It would be interesting to be that fly on the wall in the ‘war room’ hearing all of the projected offers.

    • Bill Ingram

      The problem with Houston – in talking to other execs – is that they don’t understand the value of their own players. Like the Bulls wanted Courtney Lee and Houston asked for Asik or Taj Gibson. The Bulls couldn’t hang up the phone fast enough. Houston wanted Andrew Bogut, but didn’t want to give up quality pieces, only T-Will, Thabeet, Hill, Budinger – pieces like that. The Bucks weren’t giving up a top 10 starting center for scraps. They struck out on Pau Gasol because they wouldn’t give up Lowry. Houston wants sky-high value for their players and then to give up scraps for star players from other teams. That’s why they fail to make good trades.

  29. lance aldridge

    Who are some players you see being some of the top scorers in the NBA in a couple years after the Kobe, Lebron, Wade, and Melo era.

    • Bill Ingram

      Not hard to project . . .Durant and Rose, for sure. Maybe we see Paul George and Blake Griffin get into that category. The NBA is in good hands . . .that’s for sure!

  30. Adam

    With the third to sixth pick in the 2012 NBA draft the Toronto Raptors select?

    • Bill Ingram

      I’m going Harrison Barnes, given Valanciunas’ imminent arrival and the improved play of Bargs. A great wing player is all the Raptors lack . . .

  31. Ralph

    How much is to much to pay Batum this summer. I think Portland would be crazy to give him 10 million a year. I think Chandler’s contract he just got would be fair for Batum.

    • Bill Ingram

      I do think Portland will hold up Wilson’s contract as the new standard. You’re spot on.

  32. Mario

    VDN has no bussiness coaching an NBA team. It more than just lack of coaching structure, the Clippers play like a bunch of chickens with their heads cut off.

    • Bill Ingram

      Really??? And he has so much experience as a coach before the Bulls hired him, too. You’re right – the Clippers have enough talent to make up for Vinny’s mistakes. But he isn’t going to outcoach anyone in the West.

  33. JPE

    Let´s say Beasley and Randolph walk away; Webster and Miller are cut and Milicic thrown away with the amnesty. Now you have just $ 43,523,457 in your books. If you are Kahn, and you have these two options which one do you choose:
    A) You sign Mayo for 10-12 M in the next year and fill the rest with minor contracts?
    B) You sign Courtney Lee for let´s say 7 M (less usage rate than Mayo- good defender-41% 3’s). You also sign Asik for a deal starting at 4 M to be the defensive back up. Is it possible to also sign Ilyasova for less than 5M to be Love´s backup? And if the room is about 59 M you still have 4 M and the MLE exception afterwards (You can also sign Nocioni with the vet minimum to add some experience)…

    You also have Ridnour to trade if you want to bring a quality backup SG or you can keep him to come off the bench with Barea…

    • Bill Ingram

      I pay whatever it costs to land Lee or Mayo (in that order) and then see what’s left. You don’t need Asik with Darko backing up Pekovic, and Derrick Williams likely backs up Love. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Wolves go after Chase Budinger to play the three, though there are a LOT of good small forward available this summer. See the entire list here!

  34. MAC

    You have to start Ramon Sessions, don’t you?

    • Bill Ingram

      Not right away, apparently, but I would sure think so. Mike Brown says “not now,” but make sure we take that as “not yet.” I predict Ramon starts before April.

  35. John

    Would you really classify Ellis/Josh/Dwight as a superteam? Would that core plus mediocre pieces even finish 3rd in the East?

    • Bill Ingram

      It would be the best defensive front court in the NBA – no question about that. You could run a nightly highlight reel of blocked shots. But what you’re counting on is having more than mediocre pieces around them. Miami hasn’t surrounded their big three with mediocrity . . .not at all. If you quality players like Haslem, Battier, Miller, etc around those three in Orlando they’ll be in the same class as Chicago and Miami.

  36. Hurricane Game

    steven kyler said somehting in reference to fisher having his player option still for next season.

    how is this possible? is it only if he is picked up on waivers? or if he signs anywhere as a freeagent he gets one?

    • Bill Ingram

      Right – if he is picked up off of waivers his new team is on the hook for his contract. Teams will wait for him to clear waivers.

  37. force23

    D.Williams go to Dallas,what do you think?

    • Bill Ingram

      Alright, last question, everyone! I think you can bet on Deron being either in Dallas or New Jersey, and I would almost put a bet on Dallas. We’ve been told by someone with intimate knowledge of the situation that Deron to Dallas is a done deal. And while I believe that source, who seems to know all, I have a hard time seeing Deron just walking away from a great situation in NJ. Still, Deron told me himself he has not even begun to make a decision, and I know what a great salesman Mark Cuban is. If Deron is back home in Dallas at the start of next season it won’t surprise me one bit. Thanks for spending some of your Monday with us here at HOOPSWORLD. Our next chat is with Stephen Brotherston in Toronto, and you can drop your questions in here!