NBA Chat With Bill Ingram – 9/19/11

Catch up on the latest news, rumors and predictions with HOOPSWORLD’s Bill Ingram every Monday at 11:00 AM Eastern.

Bill covers the entire NBA and is based in Dallas, Texas, home of the reigning NBA champion Dallas Mavericks. He has been an NBA analyst since 1998, when he and Steve Kyler founded HOOPSWORLD. He can be heard on radio stations across the country and his work has also appeared in USA Today.

You can follow Bill on Twitter by linking here: @TheRocketGuy.

  1. John

    What do you think about a Lamar Odom and Luke Walton for Josh Smith trade

    • Bill Ingram

      Good Morning and welcome to the chat!

      I think that’s a great deal for the Lakers . . .the kind they always seem to pull off . . .but horrible for the Hawks. Walton probably wouldn’t be a factor beyond taking up cap space and Odom is older and less dynamic than Smith. He’s not even a veteran leader who could be an x-factor for Atlanta. I think the Hawks could do a lot better.

  2. Gunnar

    Remind us, how good was Hakeem “the Dream”? Would you say he was better then Shaq?

    • Bill Ingram

      Hakeem Olajuwon is the reason I am sitting here answering your question today. My parents were not into sports, beyond the occasional Astros games in my Mom’s company’s corporate box at the Astrodome, so I never knew anything about the NBA until Hakeem was drafted by the Rockets and it was all anyone talked about. I saw his first game and I was completely hooked for life. I’ll say Hakeem was better than Shaq because they played each other in the 1995 Finals and Dream took him to school on both ends of the floor, but in Shaq and Hakeem we’re talking about two players the likes of which the NBA will never see again. Hakeem was the most insanely quick and agile seven-footer in the history of the league and Shaq was simply the biggest, strongest, and therefore most dominant. Shaq has more titles, of course, but head-to-head Dream beats him every time . . .including if the two played today, I’ll wager.

  3. tony

    Hey love the chats! I agree with Henry Abbott on espn where he believes that an end to the lockout is sooner than most of us would believe. Basically if the players will agree to go 52 or 51 on bri and agree to change some things about the current system such as all the exceptions that come with breaking the salary cap, then the owners would back off the hard cap and do a deal?

    • Bill Ingram

      Thanks! We have a lot of fun doing them, as well. . .I like Henry a lot and we generally agree on a lot of things – like this. Basically, if you do away with the exceptions you’re creating a hard cap. The primary way teams circumvent the cap is through the use of various annual exceptions. The players are pretty adamant that the exceptions remain, as they are the vehicle through which the NBA’s middle class is created, by and large. What the players are worried about is that the stars will get their money and the rest will have to take a huge paycut in the form of whatever scraps are left over. The players are already saying they will take 52%, but are still fighting the loss of exceptions. If they would agree to that, the owners would probably make the deal and the lockout would end. As of today, however, players want the exceptions in place.

  4. Peter

    Hey Bill! Last week in your article Do or Die for Houston, you said that TayPrince would be a viable option for the Rox. Is it possible to sign both Gasol&Prince? If its a sign and trade, who can the Rox offer to the pistons?

    • Bill Ingram

      It’s unlikely the Rockets could just sign both players, as they won’t have enough cap space. One or both deals would have to be sign-and-trade situations, and the Rockets certainly have plenty of young pieces to offer in trade. Jordan Hill, Courtney Lee, Chase Budinger, Hasheem Thabeet (cough, cough), and just about anyone not named Kevin Martin or Luis Scola is available for the right price.

  5. Peter

    How come Gasol doesn’t want to return to the Grizz? They are a team on the rise and even without Gay, they are still an elite team. So why is he wanting out?

    • Bill Ingram

      That’s a good question. I know for a fact that he wants out, but no one seems to know why, beyond the fact that Memphis is a small market and he seems to favor a bigger one. Perhaps it’s the comparatively unenthusiastic fan base, though they certainly warmed up for the playoffs. Those international guys are used to fans who live and die with their teams. But you’re right – with Gasol and a healthy Rudy Gay the Grizzlies are clearly one of the top teams in the West, but this wouldn’t be the first time life outside of basketball screwed up a potential contender.

  6. erik

    Who are the rockets targeting at the 5 position. How about trading Patterson and Hill to Denver for Mozgov? thanks

    • Bill Ingram

      Marc Gasol, Tyson Chandler, Nene, Samuel Dalembert, Chris Kaman – those are probably the top five. They certainly wouldn’t give up Patterson to get Mozgov . . .Hill, for sure, and throw in Thabeet, but they’re very high on Patterson and Mozgov is a big question mark. The Rockets have plenty of question marks already.

  7. Rosit

    Are there any news from Ratliff and Smith that they will retire?

    • Bill Ingram

      You mean Joe Smith? I talked to him in the second round and he said there is absolutely no way he’s ready to retire. He still has a lot to offer a team with young front court players who need a vet to help them evolve. I haven’t talked to Ratliff about it, but it seems that seven-footers can stick around as long as they like – some team always needs another one.

  8. steveS

    I’ve yet to see a serious Josh Smith trade scenario that benefits the Hawks. I get that he’s a natural 4 and so is Hartford, and I get he may not be the easiest locker-room guy — but I don’t see that the negatives outweigh the positives, or that he’s the problem in Atl, or they get better by trading him. (The JJ contract is the real problem, no?) Your thoughts? How can Sund even begin to fix?

    • Bill Ingram

      I couldn’t agree more, and that’s why I wrote this article on the subject. Joe Johnson’s contract is, indeed, the problem, and the Hawks have talked to a few teams about trades for Joe, but teams really don’t want to pay him that ridiculous amount of money. Doesn’t mean they won’t find a taker – if Gilbert Arenas can be traded, anyone can – but the idea of trading Josh Smith just doesn’t make sense unless the Hawks can really get some bang for their buck. So far, all I’ve seen is fizzle.

  9. aaron

    I was thinking of something funny–the media was hyping Lefraud as guarding dirk, which never materialized, and instead lefraud got completely owned by jason terry, of all people. don’t you think it’s amazing how the media can convince casual fans that lebron is a good defender when true basketball purists know that he’s mediocre on that end?

    • Bill Ingram

      One of the real issues with the way the playoffs are covered is that instead of using the local guys who know the teams inside and out the networks go to their “heavy hitters” – who know a little about every team but not a whole lot about any one team. I have a hard time watching the playoffs for that reason . . .so much is said that simply isn’t true, just because the networks didn’t hire the real experts to do their analysis.

  10. j blaze

    Hey Bill new to the chat whats up question what do u think of this trade?
    Minny trades Luke Ridnour, Brad Miller and Martell Webster. NYK trades Chauncey Billups and Renaldo Balkman. Utah trades Okur, CJ Miles and a 2nd rounder. Minny receives the players from Utah, NYK receives Minnys players and Utah gets the Knicks players.

    • Bill Ingram

      That’s a lot of contracts changing hands, and during a chat I don’t have time to go look up the numbers and see if they work. That said, it’s hard to see the Jazz trading a quality big man in Okur for Billups, who is nearing the end of his career, and Balkman, who has been a problem everywhere he’s been.

  11. Tyler

    With all this talk of losing a season why does it stop there? Whats stopping the lockout from lasting two years if both sides remain stubborn?

    • Bill Ingram

      Two major reasons: 1) All of the money that would be lost if the league lost two season. 2) Loss of global market share. The NBA has risen almost to the level of soccer in the global sports scene, and every game they miss puts David Stern’s vision of a truly global NBA – with a European division – in jeopardy. I expect that things will come together quickly once the players’ checks stop coming and games are actually canceled.

  12. Gary

    If the Lakers take a clear step backwards this year, will the majority of people blame the transition to Jim Buss’ increased decision making or the new coaching regime. Also, how do you think they will pan out running their offense through Drew and Pau as apposed to Kobe. Any tension there?

    • Bill Ingram

      First of all, the Lakers are still Kobe’s team. They’re not running through Drew and Pau until Kobe retires. I don’t think he’ll stick around if he doesn’t feel he can be the first option any more. That said, we all know how the world of pro sports works. If the Lakers take a big step back it will be Mike Brown who shoulders the bulk of the blame, while Buss will get some heat for not making a major move. I actually believe the Lakers will be the team to beat in 2011-12. They took quite a beating from the Mavs and they have a great deal of pride. They’ll be rested for the first time in 3 years and they should be hungrier than ever. Dangerous combination.

  13. DJ Kraze

    Let’s be real. The Nuggets have a lot of pieces and a lot of those are solid players. However, they’re lacking the leadership of an NBA Star, in my opinion. Do they need a Star to lead that team to a championship or do they just need to make minor tweaks? If they need a star, who should they go for in trade, or in free agency?

    • Bill Ingram

      That’s the million-dollar question in Denver, isn’t it? They had an All-Star who wasn’t a leader, now they have a leader who isn’t an All-Star (Lawson). The Nuggets have targeted Carl Landry, among others, and I think Landry is a great example of a player who could make a real difference without having to pay All-Star money. Landry has a knack for big plays that win games – regular season and playoffs – and he would be a great complement to the young core already in place. Internally there is a real belief that Lawson is ready to lead . . .that’s why they made the playoffs when no one believed they would, and it’s the key to their future hopes.

  14. dyrese

    what should the knicks do to improve the roster beside trying to get cp3 or dwight?

    • Bill Ingram

      There is no quick path to improvement this season, because like the HEAT the Knicks have a lot of salary already committed (over $60 million) and most of that is wrapped up in three guys they don’t want to trade. Where the Knicks can make major strides is next summer, when Billups comes off the books and they can make a serious run at defensive help. Either Dwight or CP3 would be the idea choice, as they are among the best defenders in the NBA. Until then, the new coaching staff is going to work to instill a defensive mindset in guys like Amar’e and Melo, who have never cared much for the defensive end of the floor. Not sure that’s a great strategy . . .I love Mike Woodson, but he’s no Tom Thibodeau . . .but that’s what the Knicks are thinking right now.

  15. matt

    who realistically can the clippers get? baring in mind they have minnys 2012 pick, trade assets (kaman, aminu, mo?) or should they just wait to see what they can do in the draft? thank you, really enjoy your chats!

    • Bill Ingram

      My man Eric Pincus and I have kicked this topic around quite a bit. It seems clear they will move Kaman, who just doesn’t want to share time with DeAndre Jordan, but that might not be a move for a star small forward, as many have assumed. The Minny pick is definitely something the Clippers are counting on, and it is likely to land them another young star. With a new CBA coming, it’s smart for the Clips to sit back and take advantage of this time to measure their options with Kaman.

  16. trevor

    What do you think about orl moving forward, blow it up by moving Howard with the other team hopefully taking hedo or Gilbert or hope they get lucky with what they have?

    • Bill Ingram

      They would have to get lucky, for sure. . .they’re a mess . . .and definitely need J-Rich back to even be competitive. Sadly, I do believe trading Dwight is inevitable, and they absolutely have to make taking Hedo or Gil a part of any trade. Otis Smith killed himself with that Rashard Lewis trade. What was he thinking???

  17. Billy M

    why are NBA players so opposed to having performance-based contracts similar to the NFL?

    • Bill Ingram

      They don’t want to have to play for pay. It makes great sense, doesn’t it? No more of the situation where guys play great in a contract year and then disappear to count their millions. Players just don’t want to be accountable for their own play on a consistent basis.

  18. wolt

    I’m a huge fan of glue/intangible guys like battier, amundson and tony allen. any other guys you would group in to that category that i should watch out for?

    • Bill Ingram

      Some of my favorite guys! I also like Jared Dudley, Aaron Afflalo, and Thabo Sefolosha . . .

  19. Justin

    who can the raptors get to help them out ? what position do they need to help them make the playoffs ?

    • Bill Ingram

      Their clear needs are at center and point guard, though I think Valanciunas is a very interesting addition at the five and could eventually solve that problem. As for the point, perhaps Bayless is the answer, but they would have been substantially better if Charlotte hadn’t backed out of the Calderon/Felton swap. I think they’re going to need a better floor leader to get to the playoffs.

  20. John

    I feel as if you guys at hoopsworld are sleeping on the sac. kings. They have a nice core and if tyreke comes back with a jumper next year i could see them grabbing the 7th to 8th seed. Whats your opinion on my prediction?

    • Bill Ingram

      I love the Kings. Seems like every week I get a question or two about them, because they look to be one of the next rising teams in the league. I think you’re a step ahead of them – I don’t see them making the playoffs next season, but I don’t think they’ll be missing too many more. As the Lakers, Spurs and Mavs get older the Kings look to be one of the teams moving into the West’s long-term contention list.

  21. Billy M

    I guess it wouldn’t help a player get his shot back in a slump if their paycheck depended on it

    Scola Gasol for A Howard sign and trade? I know, Lots of “if’s” involved there

  22. Wile E Coyote

    Why not compromise on a more severe luxury tax system where the penalties become more severe the more a team exceeds the cap. And put the money in the revenue sharing pool. Provides both de facto hard cap (if severe enough) and de facto but not forced revenue sharing.

    • Bill Ingram

      That is a step in the right direction, but it would have to be pretty severe before teams like the Lakers and Mavericks bat an eye at spending whatever they need to spend to contend. This is about creating an equal footing for all teams to compete equally . . .and the tax system doesn’t seem to be the answer.

  23. Anthonyk

    Do you think a trade with big baby for Carl landry will work?

    • Bill Ingram

      I don’t think the Hornets will re-sign Landry, as they need the space to re-sign West and they have other positions they need to address. That would be a great move for the Celtics, as Landry is a no-maintenance guy who plays as hard as anyone in the league.

  24. Justin

    What do you think about a trade Andrew Bynum for Marc Gasol

    • Bill Ingram

      The Lakers have said repeatedly that Drew is now on the market, and he is head and shoulders better than Marc . . .when he’s healthy. The appeal is obvious – to have the brothers together, but I’d be surprised to see the Lakers trade Bynum unless they could get Dwight.

  25. Trevor

    With the NBA trying to go to a hard cap it seems there will be less parity seeing as in a few years you will have maybe 3 or 4 teams with the executives actually knowing what they are doing. Teams like OKC and the spurs jump out at me. Half the “winning” teams just throw money around like the magic, lakers, dallas etc. not really putting together a team but just buying the best players available and hoping it all comes together. Wouldnt this more or less be a game of front office masterminds vs idiot former players (otis smith)(kevin Mchale)(isiah Thomas) etc…

    • Bill Ingram

      Well put . . .yes, it would make the game much more strategic, and smarts would win out over money instead of the other way around. You’re right – the big spenders do tend to throw the money out there and hope things work in their favor. Very well put!

  26. Marcellom Robertson

    who says no? dwight and gilbert for m. gasol and rudy. Orl starts the rebuilding process with two cornerstones and gets out of arenas contract. Mem gets a superstar and has the same team as last year.

    • Jason Fleming

      Memphis says no. For one thing, Gasol and Gay make far less money. For another, they are both extremely productive players. Also, they are very happy with Mike Conley at their point position – why bring in Arenas? To back him up?

      Also, I think teaming Howard with Zach Randolph would be a bad idea – the effectiveness of both players would go down. They would still be very good, but because they are both post players who are top rebounders in the NBA, they may have a hard time working together.

      Orlando may at least listen if Memphis was adamant and Howard had made clear he was leaving. Without that last part, none of the rest of it matters.