NBA Chat with Bill Ingram – 8/22/11

1. Cameron

   What do you take out of rose’s recent comments about winning multiple championships? cocky or confident? The reason i fell in love with the kid was because of his humble attitude. Do you think he can win multiple with chicago?

   • Bill Ingram

     Good Morning, everyone, and welcome to the second BETA chat on the new HOOPSWORLD. We’re still working out the kinks, if any, so we appreciate your patience with the process.

     I’m not one to offer praise lightly or buy into a bunch of hype, but let me say that I believe Derek to be one of the most genuine kids in the NBA today. He has no hubris, no ego, and has nothing but good things to say about his team and their chances of winning it all. He’s a confident kid, but doesn’t have a cocky bone in his body, beyond the on-the-court cockiness that you must have to be successful in the NBA. He doesn’t speak lightly. He believes in his team and he’s speaking out for what he believes. As for my thoughts on the Bulls – it’s hard not to see a few championships in their future. They were a step away last season and with the addition of a strong shooting guard this offseason they should be ready to challenge Miami for the conference title. The Bulls are in great hands with Derek Rose.

2. aaron

   who’s stupider–lebron james, or the people who think he’s the best player in the nba, especially after what dirk did to him in the Finals?

   • Bill Ingram

     I don’t think it’s a matter of stupidity, really, it’s a matter of what it means to be a great player. Some people have strange definitions. Is LeBron the best one-on-one player in the NBA? I think he is in that discussion with a healthy Kobe Bryant and a handful of others. I don’t understand all this talk about him being the best player in the NBA, as to me that discussion begins with championship rings. Not the 8th guy on the bench who got a ring with the Lakers or Spurs, but the guys who lead their teams to championships. Tim Duncan, Kobe, Dirk, Shaq . . .LeBron is not in that class. I don’t care how many points you can score during the regular season, show me big-time plays when they matter most in the playoffs and we’ll talk about greatness. LeBron has yet to elevate himself to that status.

3. B-Man

   do you believe the starting C spot is Chuck Hayes to loose or its up for grabs when the rockets training camp does get under way. and would you expect hill or patterson to overtake hayes?

   • Bill Ingram

     As much as I love Chuck – who is a free agent, by the way – he had better not be the starting center on opening day. The Rockets will most likely keep Chuck, but let’s be honest – the Rockets are not a playoff team with a 6’5″ starting center who can’t score. He may be the best defender in the league, pound for pound, but he’s not someone who starts at center for a playoff team. The Rockets need an aggressive move to add Marc Gasol, or Tyson Chandler. Anything less will likely spell the end of Daryl Morey’s tenure as GM. Hill and Patterson are both PFs, and Hill has almost played himself off the team. I can’t see Patterson playing the five . . .he’s more likely to swing to the three than play the five.

4. B-Man

   who do you think has the better future, the team who traded Anthony or the one that had James leave via free agency?

   • Bill Ingram

     The Nuggets are clearly the better team right off the bat. They were better after the trade and even made the playoffs. That’s why the Magic and Hornets are going to have to think long and hard about D12 and CP3 this season. Do you risk becoming the Cleveland Cavaliers, or do you shoot for the Denver Nuggets? That’s a BIG risk to take.

5. Billy M

   Morning! how’s the fam?
   Would a Scola & Thabeet and/or Jordan Hill and/or Morris trade for D12 makes sense at the deadline if there was even a season?
   I bet you are tired of doing these scenarios

   • Bill Ingram

     Good morning, Billy! The baby girl is sleeping at the moment, so all’s good. The NBA has given us no choice but to contemplate what-if scenarios, so bring them on! The trade you propose makes great sense for the Rockets, but not much for Orlando. Thabeet is a joke – and even Otis Smith knows that. Hill is a good kid, but isn’t likely to be a rotation player if McHale has any other option. It’s a pretty good indication when Rick Adelman – the king of making something out of nothing – can’t even find PT for Hill. Morris would have to have an amazing early season run to get on Orlando’s radar . . .and given the glut of power forwards on the roster it seems unlikely we see much of Morris this year.

6. B-Man

   its not unlikely in the league to have 2 power forwards starting instead of a traditional 4 and 5 in the post. speaking of hill, who do you think is more promisinig, him or thabeet?

   • Bill Ingram

     If I’m running a D-League team I’m all over Thabeet. The guy was stunningly good at the mediocre level. You’re right – you can get away with starting two power forwards. Hell, the Rockets were a couple of wins away from the playoffs last year with Chuck starting at the five. But as soon as you run up against Dallas, the Lakers, OKC, New Orleans – teams with two true front line players – you’re toast. It’s not a winning strategy, not with Hayes and Scola, anyway. We haven’t seen enough of Patterson or Morris to know what their potential in the area might be. I don’t believe Hill has a long future in the NBA, based on what scouts and coaches have told me and what little we’ve seen of him on the court. One reason the Rockets are optimistic about McHale is they hope he can make something out of these project big men.

7. Joshua

   Hey Bill, do you see Favors living up to his potential? Or is he the next Tyrus Thomas?

   • Bill Ingram

     Tyrus is an interesting comparison. I love his game, but his head gets in the way of his success. He doesn’t let people inside, and that’s hurt him when it comes to winning over coaches. He is an amazing talent when he’s focused and playing hard. I don’t know if Favors has the burning desire and the killer instinct required to be an elite NBA player. The tools are there, but the mentality has to be there, too. Honestly, with these young kids, it’s hard to know who they’ll be when they mature a little. That said, I haven’t seen that eye of the tiger in Favors’ eyes yet.

8. B-Man

   depending on how things go down in denver and how they develop, they may look like the warriors the past decade or so. a play-off appearance here and there, but mostly a team that will end up just missing the play-offs and being to low in the lotto to have a great shot at a can’t miss prospect.

   • Bill Ingram

     The Nuggets need a go-to player in the clutch to avoid being the Warriors . . .that player may emerge from their ranks, or they can add him through free agency. They can add a big piece this offseason, and that piece could make the difference. Carl Landry is a guy who has been big in the clutch and in the playoffs. He could be a part of that solution.

9. B-Man

   would you stick with David West and risk having him and his big contract on your books for years, given the chance that CP3 will leave. or find a young PF who needs the playing time and a great PG to shine.

   • Bill Ingram

     B-Man has found the new website. ) The important thing to Chris is winning a championship next season. 2011-12. That’s it. The team likely won’t be in New Orleans after that, and Chris’ loyalty is to the city. That means you keep David West and hope for the best.

10. tiffany

    i wish cp3 could end up with the lakers bt i cant see him wanting to help kobe beat lbj in the finals..any chance of this?

    • Bill Ingram

      Chris is good friends with LeBron, but let’s be clear – Chris wants a championship. If he can land in LA he’d be thrilled to win a championship with Kobe. His first choice is to win one in New Orleans, but the title comes first. Location is secondary, especially after the Hornets move to KC, or wherever they land.

11. Joshua

    Wouldn’t it be interesting if the league decided to void all contracts and do one huge draft? That should level the playing field talent wise.

    • Bill Ingram

      We’ve kicked that idea around as a possible article for HOOPSWORLD – the league will never do that . . .but it would be interesting. Can you imagine Kobe winding up in Minnesota? Suicide for NBA marketing.

12. TJ

    y doesn’t anyone have the suns as a playoff team with steve nash and emerging center in marcian? Thats good promise

    • Bill Ingram

      I think the fact that they have an aging point guard in Nash and the rest of the West has gotten better while Sarver was busy saving money. The Mavs, Lakers, Spurs, Thunder are your home court teams, with New Orleans, Memphis, Portland, the Clippers and Nuggets fighting for 4 playoff spots. The Suns aren’t better than any of those teams . . .you can’t send out Amar’e Stoudemire and replace him with Josh Childress and Hakim Warrick and expect to still be a playoff team.

13. Arturo

    Wouldn’t it be wiser for the HEAT to give Eddy Curry a chance to prove himself(for the minimun) which would kinda solve the C problem and spend the MLE if there is one on a wing defender like Battier or Prince?

    • Bill Ingram

      The HEAT can’t add a top-dollar center and they won’t get one with the MLE. Their best hope is that Curry or someone like Dampier can overachieve and give them a steal. They won’t get Battier or Prince with the MLE,either, as those guys can get paid elsewhere, but you’re on the right track.

14. Billy M

    Chase Budinger is back to beach volleyball. I’m glad to hear this because that is probably the reason he had the ups he showed us rookie year. Do you know of any wacky things that player are doing this off season that I might not have heard of? (besides Chris Humphries and delonte west)

    • Bill Ingram

      You mean like Baron’s Davis’ kickball obsession? Nate Robinson was talking about trying out for the Seahawks. Etan Thomas is interning at a financial services company, John Wall is talking about going back to school – noting too crazy, but guys are talking about a lot of things to take advantage of the time off.

15. Joshua

    It makes me wonder if that huge draft was to happen and Clevand got a top pick, would they take Lebron, or would that be media suicide?

    • Bill Ingram

      No chance Cleveland would take LeBron . . .they would go Dwight, Dirk, Kobe, just about anyone else.

16. Tanner

    Who besides ray allen has the nicest shot in the nba today? Steve nash? His stroke is perfect

    • Bill Ingram

      Kevin Martin’s stoke is funky, but it’s clean . . .Steph Curry is smooth, Dorrell Wright, Jason Kapono is textbook, Peja will take your lunch money…Ray’s the king, though!

17. Billy M

    @Jashua reply: you’d pick Kobe as your #1 overall? I think I would have to go with Rose or D Howard considering of the future

    • Bill Ingram

      Hard to pass on Dwight in a league where centers are rare . . .when you’re talking long-term, Dwight and Rose are my top two, as well. But if you just want to win this year, give me Kobe.

      That’s it for the second official chat on the new HOOPSWORLD! Our next chat is with Coach Anthony Marci, and you can drop your questions in here! As always, thanks for spending some of your Monday with us here at HW!

18. Larson

    The Warriors desperately need to add a low post threat and/or a center that can really defend the paint this off season. What would be your strategy if you were the Warriors GM?

    • Bill Ingram

      I guess I’d be hoping Biedrins is healthy . . .they think he’s the key, together with Udoh, Williams and Lee. The other way they can address that area is to make a trade, of course, and we know the Grizzlies are interested in Ellis. When the Grizz realize Gasol doesn’t want to be there they might consider a S&T, and the Warriors have some pieces that could be of interest to Memphis, together with Ellis.

19. gordon in USA

    If NBA is going to have a BIG Draft while every team can keep one player .. who do Miami Keep?? Wade or Lebron?? ))

    • Bill Ingram

      They won’t, but I believe in that scenario the HEAT would keep Wade. It’s his team, and he helped deliver their only champion.

20. Nils

    If the Bulle are unable to add a Talented SG dring the offseason, Gould they sign another PG like JJBarea and Move Rose to the 2 at Times?

    • Bill Ingram

      That’s an option, but not the best option. Rose is best suited to be a scoring point, and he’s not big enough to guard the true twos in the league. But rest assured – they will add a shooting guard to the mix. Lots of vets are interested in playing with Rose and riding his coattails to the Finals.

21. Matt

    If Dwight ends up being a freeagent, would He consider moving to San Antonio to play for the Best Coach in the NBA and elongate Duncan’s career? Pop’s style of Play is Perfect for Dwight and they Gould Be Instant favoueites in my Eyes!!?!

    • Bill Ingram

      If the Spurs could find some way to put together a package Orlando would take in a sign-and-trade, sure, but that seems unlikely. The Magic aren’t going to take Jefferson’s deal, which would be a the heart of any offer from San Antonio, not that I’ve heard they’re interested in Dwight.

22. pax

    Have you heard anything about Jimmy Butler working out this summer?Seems like the type of hard worker that will really improve his game(shooting) and could help the bulls

    • Bill Ingram

      I’m sure he is, but I haven’t heard anything specific, no.

23. Radian

    Courtney Lee(athletic, defensive SG, who can shoot the 3) for Wes Johnson(athletic SF who can shoot the 3 & also has syracuse ties to Jonny Flynn)…helps out both teams right?!?!?!

    • Bill Ingram

      The Rockets really like Courtney, but have also told him not to get too comfortable. That deal makes a great deal of sense, as the Rockets need a small forward more than another guard. They really didn’t need Flynn, but were happy to unload Miller.

24. Radian

    Shouldn’t the Rockets trade for Andre Igoudala…he and Kevin Martin would be one hell of a duo offense & defense w/ Scola on the inside…if Thabeet took the center spot, all he’d have to do is rebound & block shots

    • Bill Ingram

      The Sixers keep going back and forth about whether or not they’re going to trade Iggy. He would be a great fit in Houston, and they have spoken with the Sixers a few times about what it would take to bring Iggy to town.

25. Sam Snead

    Are The Rockets going to make a meaningful trade this off-season?

    • Bill Ingram

      If they don’t they’re going to make some meaningful changes to their front office next summer . . .

26. Sam Sneadyy

    Who is the top player in the 2012 NBA Draft class?

    • Bill Ingram

      For my money it’s Sullinger, but let’s see how the year goes. A long time before that decision has to be made . . .