NBA Chat With Bill Ingram 6/11/12

1. Chris G

   With rumors that the Celtics will be broken up, D-Rose in rehab, and who knows what happens with Dwight Howard, will Indiana be the second best team in the east next season?

   • Bill Ingram

     Good Morning, everyone, and welcome to the chat! Chris, it will be interesting to see what happens in Chicago and Indiana over the offseason. I expect the Pacers to make some draft day moves now that Pritchard is at the helm, and they have made smart moves with Morway and Bird running things already. I think there’s a strong possibility that the Bulls will be the second-best team even without Rose, as they were very good without him this season, but the Pacers definitely have a golden opportunity to move up with the right tweaks.

2. Raptorman2012

   Is Rudy Gay really off the table? Will a Raptor’s offer of the 8th, 37th pick, Linas Klezia, Ed Davis, and James Johnson for Gay and the 25th pick be enough?

   • Bill Ingram

     It makes some sense to keep that Grizzlies team together, but you have to admit they were better with Battier at the three when Rudy was hurt. He would like to be moved, and that will count for something. I have a hard time believing Heisley will spend the money to keep the team intact when they were a first round elimination team this year. And no, I don’t think that’s a very attractive offer for Rudy. Too many players come back . . .think about roster spots.

3. Sweet Dee

   Lebron James averaged 33 points, 11 boards, and 4 assists in the 7 Conference Finals Games. Are stats like this still meaningless to you until James wins a championship. Or are you willing to give praise where praise is due?

   • Bill Ingram

     Impressive run. He’s always been a great individual player, no question.

4. Charlie

   Hypothetical Situation: We reverse the Jeff Green / Kendrick Perkins trade from a few years ago. Would this have swayed the outcome in either of the Conference Finals series? Boston with more size to battle the centerless HEAT. Or less of an inside presence from OKC against the bigs of SA?

   • Bill Ingram

     Absolutely . . .I think the Celtics regretted that move right after they made it. Perk was the missing piece in OKC and Boston never did find a suitable replacement.

5. Frank

   In Michael Jordan’s 6 NBA Championships he was named Finals MVP all 6 times. In Kobe Bryant’s 5 NBA Championships he was named Finals MVP only twice, meaning he wasn’t even viewed as the best player on his team during the majority of his triumphs. In your opinion, does this stat cement no one can make a legitimate argument of Kobe close to Jordan (as it does for me)?

   • Bill Ingram

     Kobe is the best player in the modern era of the NBA, but he’s no Michael Jordan. I think people have forgotten how dominant Jordan was, how his drive to win overpowered all obstacles and forced his teammates to reach new heights. Kobe has some of that – a lot, really – but he’s not nearly as freakishly gifted as Jordan. MJ was a once-in-a-lifetime athlete. LeBron has the same characteristics, though to date he hasn’t found a way to get the most out of his teammates. Jordan needed time to figure that out, too. Of course, no one labeled Jordan “King” before he was winning championships. We get too caught up in that in the media. Let guys accomplish something before labeling them, please.

6. Wil

   Hi Bill, what happened at the end of the Celtic-Miami game? The last few minutes, they settled for poor shots, couldn’t get into the offense, and seemed to just hope a contested three would go in. I realize some of that was fatigue and some of that was defense, but it also seemed they just gave up in the end. Thoughts?

   • Bill Ingram

     Seemed that way. Maybe they were just tired? Miami’s defense was working them over . . .maybe they ran out of gas. That’s not a group of players who have ever quit . . .but then they are all closer to the end of their careers than they are the beginning. Doc Rivers would like to keep that group together, but I’m not sure they could make another deep run like that without a significant youth infusion. Avery Bradley would have helped, of course, but they need some youth on the front line to spell KG.

7. The Boss Of Hoopsworld

   How about A 3 team trade Lakers send Gasol to Rockets in return gets Lowry Scola also gets Beasley from wolves and wolves get Kevin Martin to shore up their shooting guard ..is That possible?

   • Bill Ingram

     I don’t know if the numbers work, and it assumes the Wolves do a sign-and-trade with Beasley, but that’s something the Lakers were already exploring. They like Beasley, Lowry and Scola, and that roster is an upgrade over just having Gasol. Adelman would welcome Martin back into the fold and the Rockets seem to think Gasol is the answer for them . . .maybe he is. I’m not sold on that unless there are other moves, as well.

8. Matt (UK)

   Have you heard any rumours as to what the Nuggets plan to do this off season? Are they looking for minor tweaks to their young side or major moves?

   • Bill Ingram

     The first order of business is bringing back JaVale McGee, and then I don’t expect major moves. Andre Miller now says he wouldn’t mind coming back, even off the bench, so he would be a nice re-addition. I don’t think we see major roster moves . . .they are developing their young talent, and having everyone healthy (Wilson Chandler, especially) will be a huge help.

9. AJ

   Warriors get: Tyrus Thomas, #2 pick

   Bobcats get: D. Wright, C. Jenkins, J. Tyler, #7 pick, #30 pick, and a future 2nd round pick

   The numbers work. Good deal for both teams?

   • Bill Ingram

     Charlotte can get a lot more for the #2 . . .looking for a star player.

10. Maurice

    If Perry Jones III & Meyers Leonard is on the board when the bucks who would you pick and why

    • Bill Ingram

      They could likely trade down and get either of those players . . .I would be more likely to go Tyler Zeller, as the best available center.

11. Johnse

    who you do this trade f you were gm of either team bucks get pick #11 & Wes Maathews and Trailblazers get Monta Ellis

    • Bill Ingram

      If I’m Milwaukee, absolutely, but not if I’m Portland. Wes Matthews is a great team guy, even plans to play in summer league to improve his game and help the young Blazers who are there. #11 will likely yield an important piece in Portland’s rebuild, as well.

12. Will

    What about a Horford,Teague for Dwight trade?

    • Bill Ingram

      Pretty hard to sell that to the Magic fan base, even with Horford being from Florida. Orlando will look to unload a bad contract, as well, so plan on taking Hedo Turkoglu if you want Dwight.

13. Bryant

    who does your gut tell you will be a sure fire all-star from this draft? (no Davis)

    • Bill Ingram

      Now that I’ve had conversations with the majority of the first round guys and can put personalities with talent, I’m taking Thomas Robinson. I might even take him #1 if I were New Orleans. He has an intensity, a confidence, that Davis doesn’t seem to have . . .it’s the kind of mentality that pushes everyone on the team to get better. Robinson believes he is the best, and he will make is teammates believe they are the best, collectively. You can’t teach or coach that kind of confidence.

14. Clutch City Representa

    Im the ONLY one in my county/city that represents the Houston Rockets. Tired of being laughed at every year!! Realisticly, how much longer must/will I wait before being a contender? Possible D-Will, Dwight and Gasol trades/signings? Tell me something GOOD

    • Bill Ingram

      The mediocrity has gotten old, I’m with you there. The positives are plentiful, but they require a marquee player to bring them to fruition. Look how the Rockets were in almost every game, even against the league’s top teams, and were fighting for the fifth seed in the West late in the season. They run out of gas at key times because they have to overachieve so much of the time. If they had a star front court player surrounded by the impressive young guys they have found in the draft, they would be very good. The problem is, they haven’t had any luck getting that key player, and ownership is finally growing impatient.

15. eastsider

    Big Bill what up fam?? first off your my favorite heare on hoopsworld and my boy lang comes in second. please tell rudy gay will be a rocket!! also what you think they will do in the off. s??

    • Bill Ingram

      Good follow-up to the previous question. Rudy Gay is on Houston’s radar, though to me they need a center more than they need Rudy, Iguodala or Granger, whom they call about constantly. The Rockets are looking to move their first round picks and assets . . .and they have made everything available to Orlando in a potential Dwight Howard deal. Will be interesting to see if the new GM in Orlando can keep Dwight in town.

16. Cody

    Say the heat dont win a title and decide to break up the big 3. How do u like this trade? Wade for NOah and brewer? Is it a possible trade? Is wade the one who is most likely to be moved? Thanks

    • Bill Ingram

      I actually think Bosh is more likely to be moved . . .it’s been Wade’s team for a while, and he’s the one who convinced the other two to come. The HEAT got to the Finals with Bosh out for much of the playoffs. Granted, injuries to the East’s best teams made that easier than it might have been, but still . . .Bosh is expendable if they can land a starting center or point guard. No chance the Bulls make that move, though. Leaves THEM without a starting center.

17. Tommy

    I believe the Bulls dhould NOT pursue guys like andre miller,Nash,and Kid because Watson is better than all except steve. In that case, how about Ray Allen to the Bulls? Is it possible? He would spread the floor more and is deadly from 3 point range. Maybe he has 2-3 years left in him?

    • Bill Ingram

      I like Watson a lot, as well, and I think Ray Allen is a big upgrade over Korver, even at his age. Kidd makes sense as a back-up, which is what he would like to be anyway . . .

18. Zach

    Does Billups resign with the clips? I hope not cuz Bulls would be a great fit for him. But again, i doubt he will take the pay cut

    • Bill Ingram

      Right – the Bulls can’t pay him, and I think the Clippers might. They would need to move Mo Williams, though . . .hard to pay that many point guards.

19. Steve

    Does anyone that you know of at Hoopsworld collect basketball cards? As members of the media, is it generally frowned upon to ask for players autographs?

    • Bill Ingram

      Not that I know of . . .and no, if you collect autographs you lose your credential . . .

20. Saulo

    Hi Bill, how are you? Regardless of possibility on NBA 2K12 I pulled off some moves with the Wolves. My team is Rubio, Mayo, Hayward, Love, Pekovic.. With Ridnour, Webster, Derrick Williams, Renaldo Balkman, Darko, Tolliver, Ellington and Malcolm Lee. Is this a big upgrade? How far would a team like this go?

    • Bill Ingram

      Great, thanks! Beware video games . . .as hard as they work to be realistic, they still fall well short of reality. I like your starting lineup a lot, but Balkman is useless and you need a better backup center. Darko was good for Rambis, but has now fallen out of favor. Not bad, but might not be a playoff team in the West.

21. Brian

    Happy Monday, Bill!

    Do you think the Wolves should give up on Beasley so soon? I just think most guys don’t start to mature until mid to late 20′s and his talent is undeniable. I wouldn’t pay him $8 million, but I do think he’s worth the investment. Will Kahn end up regretting the decision to deal him? The Lakers aren’t going to give anything decent in return and I could see him becoming the player everybody thought he could be.

    Thanks!

    • Bill Ingram

      It’s not his talent, it’s his basketball IQ. The Wolves will move him if they can, but doubtful he’s on the team next season.

22. 76ERS4LIFE

    do the 76ers have any shot at rudy gay? are ibaka and harden rfas? who are they targeting via trade, draft or free agency?

    • Bill Ingram

      If the Grizzlies do decide to move Rudy, the Sixers would likely look to send them Iggy or Brand, whom they may amnesty if they can’t deal him. Ibaka and Harden can be RFAs after next season. I don’t think the Thunder are looking to change much of anything . . .would be surprised if they made a major trade of any kind.

23. Arky

    Hi Bill!

    After all the talk about referees in both ECF and WCF, the officiating in game 7 of Cs vs Miami was so good that no-one’s talking about it at all! With all the negative comments (often deserved) about the refs, I reckon some positives should be given to the crew who did that game. It would have sucked to have a controversial game 7.

    • Bill Ingram

      True that! I hate it when the refs become the story . . .

24. Peter

    Hey Bill, What’s next for the Spurs? This was suppose to be their year to win another championship. They seem to have trouble against teams with a tough frontline. Last yr they struggled against the Grizz and now the Thunder. Do you think they need to get some “nastiness” up front in order to compete with the Thunder?

    • Bill Ingram

      They need to add a front line enforcer . . .or at least someone like Chris Kaman, who is a factor down low. If they can do that, I think the Big Three have another year or two left in them.

25. Deven

    Good Morning Bill. Fact or Fiction: Game 7 was the final game of Boston’s Big Three or Four

    • Bill Ingram

      Good Morning! I have to believe so, yes . . .

26. Deven

    Who’s your pick to win the whole thing, Bill?

    • Bill Ingram

      I’ve got Thunder in 7 . . .

27. Melvin C. Pingal

    hey Bill, we all know LBJ and KD will be guarding each other in the finals; who’s got the advantage over that match up? can KD guard LBJ one-on-one?

    • Bill Ingram

      Not sure either one of them can guard the other, though LeBron is the better defender. If the games are close, Durant has the advantage, as he has a flair for the dramatic when the game is on the line. If the games are decided by double-digits, that’s where LeBron is at his best. I think both players will be subjected to team defensive schemes . . .not just man coverage.

28. da wink

    Will the Rox successfully move up to a top 10 pick in the draft this time?

    • Bill Ingram

      They are certainly working hard to make that happen . . .and there are picks available . . .so let’s hope so.

29. Jim

    Hey Bill, I just read the article on Hoopsworld about Boston rebuilding this summer and it mentioned that Paul Pierce may retire? Where did this come from? The article also spoke about Ray signing a multi year deal with another contender.. Given that the only two teams with cap space who can be considered even close to contenders are Indiana and Boston, assuming Dallas uses there money on Deron, isnt it more likely he just comes back to the C’s as a 6th man? As a Boston fan I just cant stomach the thought of him in a Lakers or Heat uniform..

    • Bill Ingram

      I haven’t heard that Pierce is retiring . . .that would be a real shock. In fact, I would bet money that isn’t true. Miami can’t afford him, and the Lakers can’t, either, unless a trade opens up cap space. I can see Dallas, sure, or maybe Chicago.

30. Gery

    LEbron has to guard the best scorer in the world, be the best player in the world and ,on the top of that, win the game;otherwise, he is gonna get scrutinized that he is weak…Is all the cuz he didnt handle his trade from Cavs the way he should have?

    • Bill Ingram

      That’s part of it, but he also has to live up to the expectations the media set for him when he was in high school. If S.I. hadn’t labeled him “The King” it might be a different conversation. The Decision was just a bad decision by his PR people . . .LeBron is a big kid who allows his handlers to make him look bad, not unlike Dwight Howard. The difference is that Dwight is a nice, likeable guy, which LeBron is not, so LeBron gets more pressure from the media.

31. Devonte

    are aaron brooks, goran dragic two point guards that the knicks could go after especially if they get bird rights in the jeremy lin and steve novak case? would they have enough money? how do you feel about the rumors of the knicks trading landry fields for the warriors 30th pick?

    • Bill Ingram

      I don’t think they can afford Brooks or Dragic . . .I also think Landry Fields is worth more than the 30th pick . . .wow . . .where did you hear that???

32. Tom

    I just listened to McHale on NBA TV, gushing about Dragic and said about 375 times how he wants Dragic back as his PG. He certainly wasnt positive when asked about Lowry.

    • Bill Ingram

      The Rockets love both players, though, of course, Lowry’s recent comments about the team might have them considering moving him. Lowry and Martin are both tired of that situation, so moving them might be the best way to go. You don’t want guys in camp who don’t want to be there. Dragic is going to get some offers this summer – Portland, Toronto, maybe Dallas – so the Rockets will have to actually pay him to keep him. It will be interesting to see how much they are willing to match.

33. Lior

    You had a recent tweet about how agents keep telling you that the Rockets are clueless. Obviously the Rockets and the agents are on opposite sides of the bargaining table. They’ll say anything to get their clients better contacts. I don’t see how unwillingness to overpay equals being clueless.

    • Bill Ingram

      That’s only part of it . . .you don’t want to overpay . . .but you have to be willing to play ball and understand the human side of the business. It’s not just number sense, where the Rockets are among the best in the league, it’s also having great relationships with other teams and agents so that you can get some things done. That’s where the Rockets fall short.

34. Derric

    If the Blazers do keep both picks and decide to go with Lillard as their PGOF wouldn’t it be smart to try and sign a player like Nash for 2-3 years so Lillard can learn from one of the best and at the same time Portland can still compete with Nash and maybe 1 more solid FA?

    • Bill Ingram

      Makes sense, of course, but Nash is looking for a contender, or he will stay in Phoenix. Rebuilding in Portland is not going to lure him away from rebuilding in Phoenix.

35. Liam Howard

    What now for the Orlando Magic. I believe the Magic should hire Phil Jackson at whatever cost to get him to come to Orlando despite all his preferred options in which I don’t mind especially the addition of Shaw as coach.

    Howard must be traded!What about this trade option:
    Orlando Magic send Dwight Howard and a pick for David Lee, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson of Golden State and Pick #7

    Magic get to rebuild with a solid backcourt and a strong underrated power forward in David Lee as well as a lottery pick in the draft.

    I think this works out for both teams especially for Dwight Howard

    • Bill Ingram

      The Warriors are the other team that would give up most anything to get Dwight, yes, though Curry might be a stretch. They just gave up Ellis, so it would be hard to trade Curry away. I don’t know about the new GM, but Larry Riley was opposed to any and all Curry trade offers.

36. DrSubZero

    What is the realistic possible trades and free agent signings and the Rockets pull off?

    • Bill Ingram

      The move that saves Morey’s job and gets Houston back into the league’s top teams is the Dwight Howard move. It’s a huge gamble, and it’s highly unlikely he would stay beyond next season, but I think the crowd and the city could win Dwight over. Not to mention having Hakeem work with him and in his ear constantly. Dwight needs better people around him, giving him advice, and I can’t think of anyone better than Olajuwon.

37. Andrew

    If Portland is truly rebuilding as opposed to “retooling”… Wesley Matthews and Luke Babbitt to Boston for #21, #22, and Avery Bradley?

    • Bill Ingram

      I don’t think you’re getting Avery Bradley any time soon. Retooling is a better description because you have the franchise cornerstones in place with Aldridge and Batum . . .but they’re 3 significant pieces away . . .

38. kenny

    hello.. do you feel teams are very reluctant to free cap space for the mavs because of there ultimate goal of trying to land dwill and howard?

    • Bill Ingram

      The Mavs don’t have much to offer . . .why would a team take Haywood? Marion, perhaps, but Haywood is their biggest roadblock contract. No one wants that contract . . .

39. T-Nap in Indy, Indy

    What are your thoughts on the front office issues going on with the Pacers?

    • Bill Ingram

      Last question, everyone!First, both David Morway and Kevin Pritchard are friends, so it’s hard to see one out and the other in. Morway has done a stellar job of rebuilding the team. I would challenge anyone to do better. That said, Pritchard has a proven track record as the man who helped Portland get over the “Jail Blazers” era and become a top team in the West before injuries took them down. He is a solid choice to succeed Morway . . .the team is in good hands, and Morway will have another job soon. Thanks, as always, for spending some of your Monday with us here at HOOPSWORLD. Our next chat is this afternoon with Stephen Brotherston in Toronto – drop your questions in here!

40. Bill Ingram

    As weak as the East is, it’s not a stretch . . .we’re hearing they are torn between MKG and Beal.

41. Bill Ingram

    I think OKC will work to find a way to keep the band together . . .