NBA Chat with Bill Ingram 9/17/12

1. Mark / San Juan Capistrano

   I think if Kobe gives up the ball to Nash this year and lets Nash do what he does best, distribute the ball, the Lakers will win. If Peace can hit 40% of his wide open 3′s it will be that much easier.

   • Bill Ingram

     Good Morning, everyone, and welcome to the chat! Mark, I couldn’t agree more. Kobe has to let Nash run the show, and considering that Kobe was strongly in favor of bringing Steve in, I have to believe he understands that, as well. Kobe has to know he can’t carry the team any more, and relying on Nash for some of the offensive creation will lengthen Kobe’s career, just like having Kobe and Dwight to lean on will lengthen Steve’s. This should be a marriage made in heaven . . .but it still has to materialize on the court like it has on paper.

2. Mr. Ballistik

   I’ve read that slightly less than 20% of all plays in the NBA are pick-and roll and/or pick-and-pop. I don’t know if that statistic is counting half-court sets only.

   Regardless, why is this number so low? For such a simple play that offers so much variation, and presents so much trouble for certain teams, it seems this number should be higher.

   Is it personnel? Is it stubborn players not listening to coaches? Everytime I see Kobe, Ellis, Melo, etc going 2-on-1 and taking a contested 20 foot jumper — whether they make it or not — I just shake my head.

   • Bill Ingram

     That’s actually a great question. It wasn’t so long ago that pick plays made up a significant part of the offense for teams that has great pick players. Think about the the Utah Jazz era with Malone and Stockton. I would guess that the majority of their half court sets were pick plays because Stockton was so good at it and they surrounding him with players who could execute the plays, as well. Kobe and Carmelo have lacked the great pick-play point guard, which is part of the problem. I think also teams have gotten so good at defending those plays that teams often have a hard time executing. You’ll see plenty from the Lakers this season . . .that’s my bet. Steve Nash will slice and dice with pick plays.

3. Zeeshan

   With the Kings unlikely to extend Tyreke, i would like to see my Bulls grt him. They gave the amnesty providion and the Richard Hamilton $5M trade exception. Drose and Reke would be a sick duo. Am i dreaming or is it a realistic senario? Thoughts?? Thanks!

   • Bill Ingram

     If Reke can’t hit the open three he’s going to have a hard time being that kind of player on any team. The Kings hope this will be his breakout season, and if it is they won’t deal him.

4. Eddy

   Do you think it’ll take 4 rings for Lebron to surpass Jordan? Today,the degree of difficulty to win a championship is much higher due to more legitimate contending teams. (Lakers, Heat, Clippers, Thunder, Spurs, Bulls) Unlike the 90s, the only team that would’ve beat Jordan was the Rockets team with Hakeem and Clyde Drexler. And he never faced them…
   In my opinion Payton’s Sonics, Barkley’s Suns, Stockton and Malone’s Jazz, Drexler’s Blazers and Old Magic Johnson’s Lakers were not nearly as good as today’s NBA teams. Plus Jordan had a great supporting cast like many other great players.
   Lebron is also a BETTER overall player than Jordan. They have equal defense, equal offense, BUT Lebron is a better rebounder/passer. Jordan is a far better clutch player… , but did you see Lebron in the clutch in the NBA Finals last year?
   Please..
   New Generation > Old Generation

   • Bill Ingram

     I think it’s awfully hard to compare a previous era of the NBA to a current one. Hakeem and I were talking about this the other day. I said I thought Bill Russell was probably the best player of all time because he has 11 championship rings. Hakeem said he thought it was Wilt because of the way he absolutely dominated – scoring and rebounding – the entire NBA for years. You can argue Jordan because of the way he changed the game, even Hakeem for the same reason. Before Hakeem big men stood in the paint and waited for a dunk. Now they are shooting all over the court and dribbling the ball. I think, at the end of the day, it’s hard to single out one player and say he’s the greatest. Same with LeBron and Jordan. LeBron has a LONG list of things he needs to do to be in the same class, starting with a lot of scoring titles and 5 more rings.

5. Peter

   Hey Bill! How was weekend? 2 Questions. With the NHL lockout officially underway, do you expect an increase in NBA fans? If the Raptors can make the Playoffs this year, all those Leaf fans will turn into Rap fans!! Also, do you think the rockets should seriously consider hiring D’Antoni? He probably can’t bring home a championship but he can certainly run-and-gun his way to the playoffs.

   • Bill Ingram

     Had a great weekend, thanks! Spent most of it watching West Wing dvd’s, inspired by the political convention season. Best show ever!!! So the NHL is locked out, eh? I hear NFL season started, too. Do NBA fans really care about other sports? LOL Honestly, a lot of hockey fans hate basketball for the same reason NBA fans hate hockey. The games have vastly different paces and skill sets . . .to me nothing is worse than watching a game where after two hours the score is 1-0. Zzzzzzzzzzzz. As for D’Antoni, at least he loves coaching. He would be an improvement over McHale, who just needed a job.

6. ilya77

   why do you trash hate on iverson sayin and never show him respect.he had a bad team besides him, so u cant say he is a choker like mc.grady.rrible shooting percentages,way too many turnovers,drove coaches crazy
   alienated and brutalized teammates,was a major off-the-court distraction,never passed the ball.He was extremely talented, probably the most talented little man(under 6ft) to ever play in the league. And one of the most gifted athletes EVERf you even watch a game highlight, you rarely heard a court-side analyst criticize his game.e would carry his team to the playoffs every year in Philly, playing 44+ minutes a game, getting knocked to the floor 10 times a game, and people would expected him to play every night. He’s 6 FT at the most and 175 lbs at the most.

   • Bill Ingram

     I see you put this question on every chat this week, so let me just say, I don’t know who you think is trashing Iverson. My take on him is that he was an amazingly talented athlete, especially for his size, and one of the better player of the last era. He had off-the-court issues that, in my opinion, kept him from realizing his full potential. Towards the end of his career he had real problems, and it made it hard for teams to keep him around. Very sad . . .he should have been a champion.

7. LA in LA

   Is Pop still planning to retire around the same time as Tim Duncan?

   • Bill Ingram

     It wouldn’t surprise me at all . . .let someone younger and hungrier start the official rebuilding process in San Antonio. Pop has nothing more to prove.

8. Robert

   Who’s the better player right now, Kawhi Leonard or Kenneth Faried? Who do you think will have the better career overall?

   • Bill Ingram

     I would take my chances with either, honestly. Looking for a reason to choose one over the other, I might take the fact that Faried is a great communicator as a reason to give him the edge. Popovich says Leonard will be the next franchise player in San Antonio, and if anyone would know it’s Pop. At the same time, Faried won over George Karl, which is no small task for a rookie. Communication matters, and Leonard won’t talk. For me, that’s enough to give Faried an edge.

9. cj

   portland has a little money left over and has decent backup PG’s with price/smith and has decent backup PF/C in hickson/freeland/jefferies(at times). but they have poor backups at SG/SF with babbit,williams,pavlovic, and claver. do you think we have the money to strengthen that with the FA SF/SG leftover like pietrus, gomes, t.williams, howard, or mcgrady?

   • Bill Ingram

     I think Pavolovic is better than you think. But you’re right . . .that’s not a great supporting cast. To me, though, the Blazers need to play guys like Babbitt and see if they are going to turn into something, or if it’s time to cut bait. This is a rebuilding year, and that’s part of the process. If they were thinking playoffs I’d say go with Pietrus, but the playoffs are not in question for Portland this season.

10. Benny Da Bull

    Any chance that the Bulls try to trade for Arron Afflalo? Rip plus the Korver trade exception should cover it. I doubt Afflalo is pleased with the thoughts of sitting on a team who’s primary goal is to tank for the next few years for better draft prospects. The Bulls could use his defense and 3 point shooting while the Magic may not want to risk winning a few more games than the Bobcats or Rockets while fighting to be in the Basement of the NBA. Your thoughts?

    • Bill Ingram

      I haven’t heard of anything like that, but obviously Arron would be a great fit in Chicago long-term. You don’t think Rip would be a little upset about that? He has a lot to prove, and that can serve Chicago well this season.

11. Frank Iversen - Denmark

    Hi Bill, question from a HW-fan living abroad:
    - Why did the Houston Rockets hire Kevin McHale as their head coach?
    I remember he was reluctant to take over as an interim head coach when he was with the T-Wolves some years ago, and I believe he has, to some extent, expressed his lack of desire to coach on more than one occasion.

    Keep up the good work!

    Frank

    • Bill Ingram

      There was a connection in Houston because McHale was a Celtic and Rocket GM Daryl Morey came up through Celtics’ system. McHale was in OKC and Dallas (that I know of personally) looking for a job, but neither Brooks nor Carlisle gave him a shot. The last time he coached – when to took over Minny – he often talked about how much he hated coaching. He expressed that to me at the time. So when he took over in Houston I asked him what had changed his mind. He said he hadn’t – “It’s still a pain in the ass.” Then he walked away.

12. Brandon

    Who do you think make final 15 man roster? Who will you think get sent to D-league?

    • Bill Ingram

      For which team?

13. Wil

    Hi Bill, coaching character question, related to what Shiano did yesterday against the Giants. As a fan, I think his decision and his excuse were deplorable, it means he is a poor looser and lousy liar who is willing to hurt others because he is frustrated (my five year old knows better). To me this is worse than a coach or player getting into trouble outside the game. In year opinion when does character matter? IF someone cannot show discipline and character then at what point do you draw the line?

    • Bill Ingram

      I don’t know anything about the NFL, but I know a lot about character, and I think it matters ALL OF THE TIME. How you lose is just as important as how you win.

14. Ferguson

    What is a realistic stat prediction for Dion Waiters this year assuming he is the starting SG?

    • Bill Ingram

      Wow . . .usually I would project based on summer league production, but if that’s all he’s going to do this season the Cavs are in trouble. It sounds like he will be the starting two, and he’s talking like he just didn’t prepare well for summer league. I’d guess he can give Cleveland something in the 12-15 ppg range, but we don’t have much to base a guess on until we at least have some preseason to look at.

15. raul

    If ralph wasnt injured would hakeem won more championships? Would they be better than magics lakers,bird and jordan’s bulls?

    • Bill Ingram

      Bill Fitch had the annoying habit of not using them together very much, which I never understood. But if Ralph wasn’t hurt they would have been tough for years together. Imagine the Twin Towers becoming mature vets together, especially if the Rockets hadn’t lost Lucas, Wiggins and Lloyd to drug suspensions. That would have been one hell of a team.

16. raul

    Another question ,if the stayed one more year could they defeat the young duncan and ronbinson spurs? Thats with an old jordan lead bulls.

    • Bill Ingram

      Not sure what your other question was, but I’m guessing you mean could Jordan have beaten Robinson and Duncan? I doubt it. The Bulls struggled against teams with dominant centers – see: Orlando, 1995. The Bulls had trouble beating the Spurs when it was just David, so add Timmy and it’s even more unlikely.

17. Nasteedunx

    Is it time for Derrick Favors to start ahead of Paul Millsap in Utah?

    I think Favors drew mostly raves from Jazz fans after his short stint in postseason play. He potentially offers a much tougher defensive frontline alongside Al Jefferson. Millsap’s energetic play seems better suited for the second unit and as a perfect sub in case of foul trouble/injury for Favors.

    • Bill Ingram

      That’s a tough sell for Millsap, who averaged roughly 17 and 9 last season, even though Favors might have more upside. Millsap has been very effective off the bench before, so if he’s willing that might be best for the team. You just hate to ask a veteran to take a backseat. A trade might be the best way to address that.

18. David

    The Spurs seem pretty set at SF with Leonard and Sjax, yet they worked out Tmac and are meeting with Josh Howard today. Any rumblings of a trade featuring their current guys? Because doesn’t seem like there would be many minutes behind KL and Sjax.

    • Bill Ingram

      Considering Jackson is also a 2, I wouldn’t read too much into it. What the Spurs are looking to do is lighten the load on Manu Ginobili so he can be as healthy as possible come playoff time. The last two seasons the Spurs have been fabulous during the regular season and then fell flat in the playoffs. They collapsed against the Grizzlies two years ago and then to OKC last season. They want to sustain a championship run, and for that they need lots of fresh legs. Look at all those bodies the HEAT have gathered . . .Spurs just trying to add additional depth for that long 82-game gauntlet.

19. Adam

    Howdy, what did you make off the Pacers offseason signings in Green, Mahinmi and Augustin? Also any chance Plumlee or Oralndo Johnson are keepers? thanks

    • Bill Ingram

      Alright, last question, everyone! I thought the Pacers gave up an awful lot for Mahinmi, though I like him a lot personally. Green has a stellar second half of the season with the Nets, and could turn out to be a key addition, for sure. Augustin? Well, at least he’s happy in a reserve role, which neither Hill nor Collison were. The Pacers are high on Plumlee, no matter what anyone else says, so we’ll see. Johnson has some potential, as well. Hard for a rookie to carve out minutes in Indy this season, I think. As always, thanks for spending part of your Monday with us here at HOOPSWORLD. Our next chat is this afternoon with Stephen Brotherston in Toronto. Drop your questions in now!