NBA Chat With Bill Ingram 9/12/11

1. Mutang

   Someone else mentioned this trade for Utah, and I love it; is it possible?? Memphis trades Gay to Utah for Millsap and Miles. Utah gets their closer/SF/young star to play with FAvors, Hayward, Al, Kanter, Devin. Memphis has room to sign Gasol and has shown they’re pretty good even without Gay.

   • Bill Ingram

     Good Morning, everyone, and welcome to the chat!

     While I definitely follow your logic, and have said a number of times myself that the Grizzlies should trade Gay in light of their success without him, the Grizzlies aren’t even willing to listen to offers at this point – or weren’t before the lockout began. They don’t believe Gasol wants to be there, and are thinking about ways to replace him in that event. I do think your idea has merit – Gay would be fabulous in Utah and the Grizzlies would be even tougher up front with Millsap in the mix.

2. Kevin in Tokyo

   If you were B.Roy would you get a meniscus transplant (cadaver)? Why or why not?

   • Bill Ingram

     I had never heard of having your meniscus replaced until I saw your question, so I did some reading. Good thing you got this one in early. It actually sounds like a relatively common thing, now, to have a meniscus replaced, and it’s recommended to avoid knee replacement in people under 50. According to what I read those who have this done can even return to normal activities, including impact sports. I’ll have to ask Brandon about this next time I see him. I’m surprised they haven’t already done it if it’s suitable for professional athletes.

3. Antonio

   Hi,I’m a superfan of AI,Do you think that he will return to the league?
   The game and the NBA need Iverson, Boston, Miami, Knicks?
   I think he can be a great fit for many teams.
   Thank you.

   • Bill Ingram

     There’s no question that Iverson is a phenomenal talent, but he has a lot standing between himself and an NBA comeback. First, he has screwed the last two teams he played for, and he has also made a jerk of himself on the international scene because of some troublesome personal addictions. I’d be surprised if another NBA team took a chance on him, honestly, unless he radically cleaned up his act. Sadly, like Steve Francis, he can’t admit there’s a problem, and you can’t solve a problem you won’t admit.

4. Ruben

   How are you Bill, how realistic is Marc Gasol for Rockets fans, do the Rox have what it takes cap wise to outbid Memphis?

   • Bill Ingram

     It’s not so much a matter of outbidding the Grizzlies, who can go over the cap to re-sign their own player. It’s a matter of what Marc wants to do. If he wants to stay, Memphis will re-sign him and it’s all done. If he wants to leave, which is what I’ve been told, then the Grizzlies have said they won’t pay a player who doesn’t want to be there. Houston has about $48 million committed for next season, and we don’t know what the cap will be. It does seem Houston will be able to make him a significant offer, more than some of the other teams that are likely to have interest.

5. Aaron

   Why doesn’t Marion get more credit for his defensive play? He absolutely locked up Durant and Lefraud when it mattered, as well as Kobe. I know Marion is kind of careless on the offensive end, but it’s a mockery when Lefraud and Kobe get all defensive team over him…do you agree?

   • Bill Ingram

     I’ll say this for Matrix – he really stepped up after Dirk called him out in the first round. He was absolutely the reason they were able to slow down Durant and that HEAT guy. Without Shawn, the Mavs are not champions today. They wouldn’t have gotten past OKC.

6. Joseph Shafer

   After reading your article “Do or Die for Houston” I seriously contemplated both options, and find rebuilding now a better choice. Next years draft is going to be the deepest draft for a long time, it only seems smart to load up on draft picks and hope to land 1 possibly 2 future stars. What would convince the rockets’ to go that route?

   • Bill Ingram

     I think if they fail to land a starting center they won’t have any other choice. It’s not like McHale is a great coach who can make something out of nothing. That coach is headed to Minnesota. I hate to say rebuild, but it does seem to be the only real choice, given the roster and Morey’s record with landing key free agents.

7. Michael

   how much do you think M. Gasol is worth? and what kind of contract do you think he’ll actually end up getting?

   • Bill Ingram

     10 years ago he’s a $6-8 million player because there were so many better centers in the league. Now he’s a top ten center, and maybe top five. I expect he’ll get at least 10-12 million next year and ballooning in the years after that.

8. Tyler

   If you were Otis Smith and in charge of trading Dwight Howard what reasonable package would you accept for him that you think both teams would agree too?

   • Bill Ingram

     There aren’t many. If Houston can get Gasol, I would make a deal with them . . .for Gasol, Courtney Lee, maybe Patterson, and picks. I’d do a deal with Chicago for Joakim Noah, maybe Taj Gibson and and picks. That’s about it . . .I would hate to be the man who traded Dwight Howard.

9. Tyler

   What do you think about a Kaman for Jeff Green trade? Celtics need a Center and Clippers need a good but not great small forward. Then use Wolves pick to get Paul or just use it themselves. Bright future

   • Bill Ingram

     It’s not a bad deal, though I think the Clippers will get more for Kaman when they deal him. Green can light it up, at times, but not much of a defensive 3, and you need a good defender at that spot.

10. Jon in PDX

    Hello Bill, where do you think the Blazers will end up in the playoff race in the West this year? Let’s assume that G.O. does not play and there are not additional trades. Also between either Elliott Williams or Nolan Smith who plays more this year or at least has the better outlook? Thanks,

    • Bill Ingram

      If one of them is going to play, Williams may have the advantage, having spent a year with the team already. Not sure we see much of either. It’s safe to assume we won’t see much of Oden, sadly, but I love the addition of Wallace, even more with Felton now in town. If he can stay healthy I think he and L.A can keep Portland in the 5-7 range…

11. Tyler

    Hornets are going to lose Landry or West to FA. They will probably keep Landry and let West go, which means they get considerably worse from Pauls view. I don’t see how they can keep him there with such a horrible team. What do you think

    • Bill Ingram

      First, I don’t think they’re horrible with Carl, but also I don’t think there’s any way they let West go – for that very reason. Wrong message to send CP3 that you’re letting an All-Star walk.

12. Bill Ingram

    Not right now – they have to either bring back AK47 or replace him, and we’ll have to see if Okur can stay healthy and make an impact with their front court guys. I also don’t know that Devin Harris – who I was once high on – is a leader for a playoff team the way Deron Williams was for the Jazz. Lots of work to do in Utah.

13. geneticray from detroit

    if rockets get gasol they would be a contender again and will pistons finally get rid of rip hamilton and let prince walk.

    • Bill Ingram

      That’s my belief, as well. Gasol and Scola would make a formidable front court duo. And yes, I think the Prince/Hamilton era is finally over. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Rip in Chicago…

14. Steven

    Bosh for Nash and Gortat?

    • Bill Ingram

      I don’t think Phoenix makes that deal. Robin Lopez can’t make up for Bosh’s weaknesses the way Gortat can. It would be a huge step back, especially on the defensive end. You might get Vince Carter, perhaps Jared Dudley or Channing Frye, but not Gortat.

15. Billy M

    Good morning! My boss cut our internet here at work so I have been very out of the loop when it comes to nba news. I did pick up that you are fairly confident we will get most of the season judging on the current talks. Should I get my hopes up?

    • Bill Ingram

      Sorry to hear that! Yes, after months of feeling certain that we would have to wait until January to see NBA ball, I’m starting to put my October schedule together based on preseason games. We’ll know a lot more tomorrow, but it’s safe to be optimistic!

16. Michael

    how does restricted free agency work if multiple teams are interested in one guy? i was under the impression that only one offer could be made, and then the original team could choose to match it

    • Bill Ingram

      Players have to sign an offer sheet with one team, so they would wait to do that until they feel they have their best offer. Their team than has to decide to match that offer sheet. Once a player signs an offer sheet, the bidding is over.

17. Steve

    What do you think of the raptors current pg situation? Do you think Bayless can be the pg they are looking for?

    • Bill Ingram

      Bayless is an interesting player. I have been absolutely convinced that he could be The Man at times, but he has been pretty inconsistent. If he can just get consistent playing time he might evolve into the pg of the future for Toronto. I have little doubt about that. High-character guy, too…someone you’d want leading your franchise.

18. Trex

    Hey Bill:
    What can we expect from D.Collison this season? Will he morph back into the player he was while starting in NO or will he lose PT to George Hill?

    • Bill Ingram

      Actually, I think he will DC will be better for playing with Hill. Hill’s going to bring a championship mentality to the Pacers locker room, and will instill some good habits in Collison. I do think Hill will get some of DC’s playing time, but the team will be better off having two quality young pg’s in the backcourt. Indiana is a team on the rise, especially after they land a couple of free agents.

19. B-Man

    Any chance you can see the hawks making one final push to be more than just a play-off team and into a contender by gambling on steve nash and frye for josh smith and zaza?

    • Bill Ingram

      I’m not sure the Hawks would give up Zaza, who figures in their plans if they trade Josh. That would mean Horford’s moving to the four, and more minutes for Zaza at the five. You don’t beat Orlando with Frye at center. Frankly, I haven’t seen the trade for Josh Smith that makes the Hawks better. Lateral moves? Sure. But better? I haven’t seen that offer yet.

20. Billy M

    Optimistic it is then! Too bad for my employer that my smart phone gets HoopsWorld
    Adleman left Houston (along w/ not being re-signed) because he didn’t like the direction the team was heading. I guess by his logic, the t wolves have a better outlook?

    • Bill Ingram

      Indeed! Actually, the Rockets offered Adelman a new deal and he turned it down. The Battier trade was the last straw for him . . .he was tired of inaction from the front office. Hard to blame him! I love the Adelman move for Minnesota . . .he’ll make those young kids better and give Rubio a great shot at actually making a mark on the NBA.

      That’s it for me, everyone! As always, thanks for spending some of your Monday with us here at HOOPSWORLD. Next up is Coach Anthony Macri, so drop your questions in for him now! I will also check back throughout the day and answer any late questions that get submitted.

21. Eric P

    If the lockout ends soon. Who do you think will deserve the credit and what will be the main factors that led to an agreement?

    • Bill Ingram

      Both sides will get credit for being willing to compromise, but the players will be the big winners because the owners softened considerably on some of their strongest demands – like a hard cap and no more exceptions.

22. JB

    I’m a Rockets and Heat fans. Two quick questions, would Houston jump to top 3 in the West with addition to Gasol( or if they sign and trade)for Howard? About Miami, do they even have enough cap space to sign a decent center, or at least have assets to trade for one? They have a lot of old PF’s and C’s that they can really let go of (Howard, Magloire), or do you focus of evolving Dexter Pittman? I think Norris Cole might be a good addition to the PG position that they need.

    • Bill Ingram

      The Rockets are absolutely hopeful that they can 1) sign Gasol and then 2) turn him into a Dwight Howard trade in February. I don’t dare to hope they could actually pull that off. Miami just about has to trade Bosh to make anything significant happen, as no one wants Mike Miller and they have no other significant contracts. Their best hope may be that Eddy Curry finally has a career – doubtful – or that one of their young players can evolve quickly. Not a good prospect for a team with immediate championship expectations. I like Joel Anthony a lot for what he is . . .he could be a championship center. But they need a better floor leader to coordinate the pecking order in crunch time.

23. Jay

    Should Raptors keep and play him at PF or trade Bargani instead to start Ed Davis, when Valanciunas come to Toronto?

    • Bill Ingram

      I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again . . .you don’t easily give up a big man who can shoot like Bargs can. The Mavericks just won a championship with theirs – it was all about developing him and putting the right pieces around him.