NBA Chat With Bill Ingram 8/13/12

1. Magic Mo

   I’m watching the olympics right now and the US is keeping it too close. Just imagine this USA roster (healthy of course):

   PG: Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Derrick Rose
   SG: Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade
   SF: Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant
   PF: Kevin Love, Chris Bosh
   C: Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum

   I think teams wouldn’t even dream of being close and I think they could beat the ’92 Dream Team as well. They have size, athleticism, and perimeter scoring. What do you think Bill?

   • Bill Ingram

     Good Morning, everyone, and welcome to the chat! Honestly, I think the more time passes the closer we’re going to see some of the toughest international competition get for Team USA. Spain, for instance, had it’s own roster of NBA stars, and gave USA all they could handle. Team USA is still clearly the best, but I think from that final game we can see a glimpse of the future . . .in which only the very best players in the NBA will be able to win the gold at the Olympics.

2. long time reader

   Do you still believe the heat should trade Bosh to the Rockets for Scola and Lowry?
   Do you still believe Lebron will never be a great player? (LOL)
   Let me guess, you have Lakers beating the Heat in the finals?

   • Bill Ingram

     You obviously haven’t been reading. It was great to see LeBron grow up . . .finally. That was kind of a big story back in June. Actually, I have the Thunder beating the Bulls in the Finals. )

3. Tasia

   What were the Magic thinking? I heard Houston didn’t want to take on any of their bad contracts. I mean you take Affalo and Harrington bad contracts ( Harrington still is owed half) instead of Houston’s unguaranteed contracts? They could have possibly had the Raptors pick, a 2015 1st and Houston’s 3 best young players Lamb, Parsons(Gator connection), Motiejunas, and a bunch of unguarnteed salaries. I think Houston decided to keep Martin to help convince Dwight. Was getting rid of Feagan that important? J rich could have probably got some interest at the deadline and do you Know Duhon could be cut for half of his salary next year?
   Houston offered better young players, and multiple 1st and you took more money on contracts that you sent out.

   • Bill Ingram

     Wow, a lot of questions in there. The bottom line when dealing with Houston is that they aren’t going to take back bad contracts (though they will sign them: Asik, Lin), and they overvalue the pieces they have. That’s why they consistently fail to land the big names they chase. The Rockets couldn’t have kept Howard using the Martin relationship, as Martin can’t wait to be anywhere else. It’s more likely they would have left together, though I strongly expect Martin to be traded by the deadline. The Rockets are unloading as many Adelman players as they can to help McHale gain respect in the locker room.

4. Deven

   Hi Bill. What are your thoughts about current players seeking Hakeem Olajuwon’s help on improving their post game?

   • Bill Ingram

     There has never been a better post player in the NBA, as far as footwork, reaction time, and mobility. He can still get it done, too, so I would absolutely want my big men going to see him.

5. Deven

   We all know the Lakers are the major winners in this blockbuster trade, but who’s the “real” winner of this trade: Sixers, Nuggets, Magic or none of them?

   • Bill Ingram

     As it happens, I recently wrote on that very subject! Here’s the link …

6. Jim Beam

   A lot of people are saying Spencer Hawes will now be an excellent back-up for the 76ers but why not just start him at the 4 next to Bynum. I think he would flourish there. What is your opinion sir?

   • Bill Ingram

     Hawes could probably handle it on the offensive end, and he may be the starting four on opening night. On the defensive end, however, I think he would get burned so often that it would be a challenge to keep him on the court. Bynum can help with his shot blocking, but we’ll see. I don’t think anything is set in stone there.

7. 2dogs

   Bill, if you were running the Rockets, who would you start? Which of the current players show the most promise?

   • Bill Ingram

     Well, since we seem to finally be ready to just scrap it and rebuild, I would start Lin, Martin, Parsons and Motiejunas at their respective positions. Center is a little tougher. Asik can’t start, or at least his foul issues would make him a brief starter. Then again, maybe Royce White can start at the four and Motiejunas at center? So many forwards and so few minutes to play them. The Rockets really need another trade to clear up some of their redundancies.

8. Connor

   Lets have some fun with a “what if”.
   What if the Thunder had just a little bit more luck in the lottery in 2009. OKC gets the first pick in the draft. They inevitably take Blake Griffin. That’s a deadly big 3, KD, Westbrook, and Blake. 2 questions. 1) What would they do at shooting guard in this scenario? 2) How good of a team would they be here in 2012?

   • Bill Ingram

     They’re already one of the best teams in the league, so obviously they would still be elite. Not sure if there are enough touches for Westbrook, Durant and Griffin, but it would be a nice problem to have. Thabo would still be starting at the two, I imagine. They would be the West’s best . . .which they may be anyway.

9. adobo and hot rice

   Coke trade deadline,will we see these guys traded? Perkins, josh smith,monta ellis, dirk nowitzki, cp3 dwade,cbosh? Crazy predictions?

   • Bill Ingram

     I love Coke . . prefer Coke Zero. :p No chance the Thunder trade Perkins, and Ferry believes he has convinced Smith to consider sticking around long-term. Smith had told us, as much, as well. Monta will be gone unless the Bucks can win him over, and I think he lands wherever Dwight Howard lands, as they are lifelong friends. Dirk, CP3, wade – no chance any of them get traded. There has been talk of trading Bosh, but I think that all died when they got their first title.

10. tapsilog express

    Hi bill, will u guys add more reporters and more chats? Love this site! Thanks, to my question, will it make sense for the cats to trade for hawes? This guy is under rated and for the hornets to trade for calderon?????

    • Bill Ingram

      We’re not exactly sure what the future holds as the USA Today relationship develops. Hawes is a decent player, sure, but I haven’t heard that the Bobcats are interested. And you’re right – PG could turn out to be a need for the Hornets.

11. pandesal

    If the knicks fall short and loose again in the first round will amare be amnestied or melo traded?if im the knicks ill trade melo for gay now. Make sense? Lastly sir will will jlin be a borderline star this year. He got his own team now?

    • Bill Ingram

      Well, you know how the NY media and fans are. If the Knicks lose in the first round heads will roll. Amnestying Amar’e is a bitter pill to swallow, and seems unlikely. Trading Melo is tough, too, as another first round exit would likely cause teams to think twice about bringing him in. As for Lin, I think what we saw over the last month of last season is reasonable to expect. Once teams had a chance to scout him he averaged around 14 and 6, and that was on a team with multiple stars to distract the defense. In Houston, where there are no legit stars, Lin may find it tough going. He’ll need to adjust quickly, but he’s a smart player. He’ll find his way.

12. da wink

    What’s next for the Rox after the dwightmare? I know DM will still make an under the radar move…

    • Bill Ingram

      The only big name that is possibly available now is Rudy Gay, and I’m not sure he helps the Rockets as they are currently constructed. It may be time to field a team of first round picks and see which ones can actually play.

13. Emanuel

    With Carlos Delfino shooting like crazy in London, what team do u see picking him up? Thanks!

    • Bill Ingram

      He has a two-year contract from the Houston Rockets available to sign . . .

14. Riccardo

    Hi Bill!
    Could Phoenix, after O’Neal’s sign, trade Gortat for a SG?
    I hope NO! Gortat-Frye and Scola-Morris are a just mix for Suns.
    Phoenix needs a SG that plays like a starter because Johnson could use now like a backup in spot 2-3 and because Brown and Dyson can’t play like a starter in a team that would compete for play-off.
    Very good Suns’additions like Dragic, Beasley, Scola and Johnson, some dubts about PJ Tucker and O’Neal.
    What’s about Telfair, Dyson and Miller?
    Thanks for your time!

    • Bill Ingram

      That would be idiotic! We know going in that Jermaine needs to play limited minutes to avoid injury. Gortat is the starter, O’Neal the back-up, and I’ll be surprised if JO plays more than 35 games. I love JO, but we have to be honest about where he is in his career. The Suns have made some great moves, to be sure, and I think bringing back Michael Redd would be smart. He and Brown can handle the two, with Wes Johnson spending some time there, as well. Wes has a lot to prove, and that could work in Phoenix’s favor. Same with Beasley.

15. Gustavo A Thomas

    I agree with Jerry Reinsdorf,is better for CH Bulls no rushing back back to D Rose until he is fully healthy,this is a lose season for CH anyway,but i believe he need to weigh up the rebuilding process for this year. They can trade J Noah and L Deng for young players and draft pick,R Hamilton for a trade exception and amnesty C Bozzer NeXT year.like that they have money to spend on súper star caliber players no good citizen players like now.what you think?

    • Bill Ingram

      I think the Bulls will be MUCH better than you think . . .they will be in the top four when Rose returns and make a strong playoff push once he gets healthy. No need to blow up the team . . .no need at all.

16. Gustavo A Thomas

    After Michael Jordan retire he never work for Ch Bulls team. Why? Have CH Bulls the Michael Jordan curse? Thank you.

    • Bill Ingram

      He has been involved with other teams . . .ownership in Washington and now Charlotte.

17. Makan

    Good Monday Mr.Ingram So what is the game plan for the rockets now? Hope your doing well after Thursday sorry…..with philly landing andrew does the Atlantic division become the most competitive?

    • Bill Ingram

      I have become resigned to the fact that the Rockets can’t pull off significant trades under current management. See my previous comments on the Rockets – rebuilding time. That’s for the best, given the circumstances. Lots of good, young pieces. No doubt – the Atlantic should be the toughest next season!

18. Shawnymoe

    Hey bill

    I know that in the east there’s been a lot of talk about nets,bos,heat,Knicks but where do you see the pacers in all of this cause I think they have a really good chance to be a top 3 seed.

    • Bill Ingram

      Yes, I actually ranked the Pacers #3 in the East when I did my ranking of the East’s top five – check that list out here!

19. Mutangclan

    Hey Bill, so two questions. The first, now that Millsap did not sign the extension, which makes sense, what do you see happening with him? I mean, as we’ve seen once again, teams with money swoop in and offer a good player “great player” money and he’s gone. See that happening with Paul? Utah has their bigs, I dont see them matching some offer from say Portland for 14m per.

    Second question, what do you see as the starting lineup if Paul is here? I like MO/GH/Marv/Fav/Al with a nasty bench unit of Burks/Paul/Foye/Kanter. Thanks!

    • Bill Ingram

      Interesting that you mention Portland . . .since they were the last team to offer Paul big money. I think he’ll be in demand. He may not be an All-Star, but he has that potential, and he is hard-working and drama-free . . .both great qualities.

20. jack

    Bill, do you think that the league is headed toward being a star player driven league whereby superstars will dictate where they play, and as a result, only a handful of teams possess a distinct competitive advantage (much like MLB, though their’s is due to lack of salary cap)???

    • Bill Ingram

      Heading? Seems like that’s where we are now! As Steve Kyler wrote this morning, the NBA has become a league where only 5 teams have a legit shot at the title and the rest hope you’ll pay big money to watch those five teams crush them.

21. JC

    Hi Bill,

    Always love your chats and your insights on Rockets. Darryl has swung for the fence and missed again. Is it time to call for his head?

    On another note, considering how the Spanish national team took the star-laden team USA to within 7 points of victory, if it were an expansion team in the NBA, it would have been a top 3 team in any conference. So, how is it that some of its key players (e.g. Navarro, Fernandez, Rodriguez, etc.)have such difficult time in getting starter minutes?

    • Bill Ingram

      Rockets owner Les Alexander has tolerated mediocrity for quite some time . . .longer than most other owners would. Will be interesting to see what happens after Houston misses the playoffs yet again. Spain would be great, that’s true. The best players play, period.

22. DrSubZero

    Maaaaan. Glad to see you back this week. How da hell are ya?? …but anyways. Im a Huge Rockets fan, but it seems this league is basically becoming a 5 league team. Players wanna join forces to win championships and leave others out there barely selling tickets. Isn’t these spoiled highly paid players gonna ruin the game in the near future?

    • Bill Ingram

      Thanks! Had a fun vacation with my family. Cedar Point is great fun, if you’re ever in Ohio. Cooler coasters there and an amazing view of Lake Eerie while you ride. To your question, we have seen a transition in the NBA, from a league where fans love their home teams, to a league where fans love certain stars. People pay to see the Rockets play the HEAT, Thunder, Lakers, etc instead of paying to see the Rockets, for example. As someone who grew up in a league where the teams had basically the same core year after year, it’s been tough to watch. But the league continues to grow in popularity, so I guess the fans like that. To me it ruins the game when a player’s demands overwhelm the good of the team.

23. DrSubZero

    I thing the Rockets are banking on next season to lure in some top free agents….who? I dont know, but Im keeping my faith in Mr. Les.

    • Bill Ingram

      That’s a broken record at this point. Top players don’t want to be in Houston. It’s not about Les, it’s about management.

24. Magic Joe

    Bill whats next for the magic,and do u see any more deals by training camp or trade deadline?

    • Bill Ingram

      A long rebuilding phase . . .and lots of empty seats, I would imagine.

25. Andrew C

    Hey Bill,
    1)How do you Spurs the Spurs fairing out west against some of the new upgraded teams, such as LA or Dal?
    2)How do you see the Spurs fairing if the added a more focused and disciplined Blatche under Popovich and Duncan?

    • Bill Ingram

      I have the Spurs third in the West, though they could be higher. Best coach in the league and unselfish stars . . .great combination. They do need a five, that’s very true, and Pop might be able to get Blatche to play well. Dallas has been upgraded? Hmmm . . .

26. Jp Co

    Hi, Bill with the Lakers loaded with Howard and Nash. looks like the OKC is the only team that will beat this team in a seven game series. They cant matched the High octane offense of Westbrook and Durant. if you remember westbrook posting up Balke for consecutive posessions and no one can check him mano y mano. Your thoughts? Thanks

    • Bill Ingram

      Absolutely agree . . .the Thunder are the team to beat . . .and I think they can take the Lakers. Should be one hell of a series, though! Can’t wait for that one!!

27. Jp co

    Hi Bill, is Mike Brown the best coach avail for the Lakers? How about Jerry Sloan, If i compare Brown to Phil, he plays his starter too much and it cause them crucial mistakes in the 4th. just like what happen with Pau TO to a Durant dagger three. Your thoughts?

    • Bill Ingram

      I think he was the best at the time, and I think a full camp and preseason will help him remake the team in his own image. Nash will help that, as well. Give him a year to really show what he can do with all that talent.

28. htownsportcurse

    fire mor-ey fire mor-ey fire mor-ey fire mor-ey fire mor-ey fire mor-ey fire mor-ey fire mor-ey

    • Bill Ingram

      Can’t imagine why you say that! LOL

29. Matt

    Do you see the Rockets possibly overachieving and at least making a run for the 8th seed in the west with the roster they have now? Or is it lottery bound?

    • Bill Ingram

      Lottery.

30. DieHardLakerFan

    what do you think are the chances of the lakers winning the title?

    will they do a repeat again?(if ever howard extends)

    what are the chance dwight will resign to a multi-year deal to the lakers?

    • Bill Ingram

      Great chance, though I think there will be some growing pains like the HEAT had two years ago. I think Dwight will love LA so much he will stay, but if not the Mavericks already have him on speed dial.

31. Jeff

    This may have already been asked. Do you know what the Rockets were offering for Dwight?

    • Bill Ingram

      The reason they couldn’t get him had a lot to do with their unwillingness to take back bad contract or give up quality picks.

32. Leo

    Whats the latest on Andray Blatche, Terrence Williams and Kenyon Martin?

    Any chance the Lakers go after any of those guys?

    Thank you for your time.

    • Bill Ingram

      I don’t think the Lakers go after any of them. Pau is more than capable of playing the 5 while Dwight is healing, and they have Jamison to start at the four.

33. Victor Johnson

    what do you see the Kings eventually doing with Tyreke Evans?

    • Bill Ingram

      They want to see if he can play the three, and if not, they’ll look to move him. Keith Smart likes his potential, but the team’s patience with Evans won’t last much longer.

34. Steve

    Between the raptors, philly, magic, bucks, which two teams will get that 7th or 8th spot?

    • Bill Ingram

      My money’s on Philly and Toronto . . .

35. Aristotle

    Has LeBorn matured enough and taken that next step to lead the HEAT to a repeat, and will we see the old Wade this season or is he slowing down fast putting more pressure on LeBron? Can they beat the Lakers or Thunder again?

    • Bill Ingram

      LeBron took the next step, alright, and he has to take the pressure off of Wade, either way. The knee surgery will help, but Miami has to be LeBron’s team now – even in the fourth quarter. Can they beat LA or OKC? Better worry about Boston, Indiana and Chicago first.

36. Da

    After the big Howard trade, do you think Toronto could land a 3 from Denver in a trade? Do you think Denver plans to play AI at the 2?

    • Bill Ingram

      Alright, last question everyone! I do think the Nuggets would like to move Wilson Chandler, and he could be a good fit in Toronto. And yes, Iggy will start at the two for Denver, most likely. As always, thanks for spending some of your Monday with us here at HOOPSWORLD! Our next chat is tonight with Stephen Brotherston in Toronto. Drop your questions in now!