NBA Chat With Derek Page 10/27/12

1. john

   Hello from sunny Athens. Which is your opinion for new lakers. I think the 0-6 begining must be a serious concern, and not everybody say it is just preseason. Do you agree?

   • Derek Page

     Another Saturday is upon us which means it’s time for me to answer some NBA questions.The preseason is done and I’m excited about the season starting in less than a week and I’m sure you guys are as well. Let’s get this thing started!

     I don’t see it, John. With Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard – four clear All Stars – leading the way, the Lakers are going to be tough to stop. The preseason is just that: pre season. No reason to overreact in October on the precipice of an 82-game NBA season.

2. LA in LA

   I’ve seen highlights of Griffin this preseason and it looks like he has a legitimate jumper this year. Scary thought of teams not being able to sag off him.
   Also Deandre Jordan seems more confident and talented offensively…
   as a Laker fan I’m actually worried about Clippers now.

   • Derek Page

     I saw that as well. Griffin had almost a Duncan-esque backboard jumper this October. I agree, if he can incorporate that into his arsenal (and get those free throws down) he’ll be nearly unstoppable this season. There’s no doubt the Clippers will be solid again this season. The key to competing with the Lakers and other big boys in the West will be staying healthy.

3. LA in LA

   If I’m Delonte my top 3 teams (assuming he wants to win now) would be:
   Lakers (no legit back up PG and he’s familiar with the Coach but they have a glutton of PGs and a high pay roll)
   76ers (Royal Ivey should be your 3rd string PG, not 2nd)
   Grizzlies (They NEED more people who can knock down the 3 )

   • Derek Page

     The most disappointing thing about Delonte West is how great of a fit he is with Dallas. If indeed he is let go, that’s a huge blow to the Mavs… In terms of possible landing spots if he is no longer in Dallas, I think those teams you mentioned could use him. Don’t think the Lakers are interested though – they seem pretty much set. Grizzlies have Jerryd Bayless and Tony Wroten… Philly might be the most logical destination of those three.

4. alan

   is it only the fans, the commentators, and the sports writers who think that since the lakers brought in the payton manning of basketball, steve nash, that they should be just letting him run the offense? i know we keep hearing that mike brown will let steve nash decide where to go with the ball…but through 8 games, it seems pretty clear that the lakers are not taking advantage of the QB they brought in. do you think the lakers even question the princeton O? even consider that with superior BB intellects they’ve assembled on the court that they should just allow steve to run the show?

   • Derek Page

     That’s a difficult question to answer, Alan. Sure the easy explanation would be to just hand the keys over to Steve Nash but shouldn’t we give it a couple of REGULAR season games before we hit the panic switch? It’s a better idea to let this thing play out as there’s no reason to undercut the head coach this early.

5. Luke

   Do you see any way the bulls trade late picks or radmodvich or teauge to dallas for west plays good defense ok on offence attuide iffy not sure a good fit has had problems since been in the league

   • Derek Page

     That’s an interesting idea. I thought West would’ve been more on the Bulls radar this offseason but it was clear his best spot would be Dallas. Not likely Mavs would be interested in Vlad or that the Bulls would be willing to ship their first round pick from this year for West.

6. WIZARD

   If wizards hold their pick in 2009 draft and select rubio and have 1st pick in 2010 who is john wall what would they do?Would they trade rubio or wall?

   • Derek Page

     That’s an interesting hypothetical. I would keep Wall simply because I haven’t seen enough of Rubio quite yet to justify taking him over a proven player like John Wall. This season will be a huge year for both of these players though as each has a shot at getting their teams into the playoffs for the first time in a while.

7. Luka

   The stupidest trade in last ten year?

   • Derek Page

     Well, that’s a pretty loaded question… How about the Magic trading the best center in basketball for Arron Afflalo and change?

8. Jim in Cyber Space

   Who is the current “Mr Stone-Hands” in the NBA?

   Kendrick Perkins must be in the top three? It doesn’t matter how well the team mates set you up if you can’t catch the ball???

   On the flip side.. Metta World Peace has made a living out of quick, strong, and sure hands…They both play good D…a wash there.

   • Derek Page

     Erick Dampier is the All-Time Stone Hands Champion, hands down (ha!), but he’s not in the league anymore. Perkins is a solid choice though… Brendan Haywood, now with Charlotte, isn’t great at catching the ball. I’ll go with him.

9. likeabull

   Bulls need to shed salary, to rebuild a contender so. Who says nojefferson/milsap/hayward/bell-deng/noah/hamilton. All those contract expire for bulls, jazz becomes contenders. W he have cap space to make moves. Resign al jefferson, add harden. Is this a good idea?

   • Derek Page

     The sheer size of that trade makes it unlikely but I’ll just weigh it in terms of who it would benefit.
     For the Bulls, this trade would have to be an admission that they’re unhappy with their current squad and ready to start over. I don’t see that happening.
     For the Jazz, they do need to thin out their loaded frontcourt but it’s more likely that either Jefferson or Millsap goes – not both.

10. like a bull

    Any team willing to take bulls 5mil trade exception
    for a scorer. Anyone you can think of

    • Derek Page

      That will become more clear as we get closer to the trade deadline. Difficult to tell this early both in terms of availability and what the Bulls will actually need.

11. Wil

    Hi Derek, two questions about Dallas. First, I’m thrilled to see Eddie back in the league, but do you think he will get meaningful playing time this year (esp. after Kaman comes back)? Second, what are your thoughts about the team going into this year, still playoff bound?

    • Derek Page

      1. I like what Eddy has shown this preseason but it’s not guaranteed that he’ll have a roster spot to start the season. If he is on the roster, he’ll get some decent burn behind Kaman but Elton Brand will be first big off the bench.
      2. This Mavs team is still a playoff squad. The biggest thing will be keeping the ship above water and keeping a .500 record in November until Dirk Nowitzki comes back from injury.

12. T.J. Wilson

    What’s the future looking like for Andray Blatche, Eddy Curry, and Delonte West? Also, as good of a sharp shooter he is, how come Ben Gordon never was elected to be in the 3 point contest during all-star weekend?

    • Derek Page

      All three should find a spot on an NBA roster this season, with Blatche and West being the most talented and valuable of the three. In terms of Gordon, that’s an interesting question. He’s never shot below 40 percent from behind the arc and has displayed a willingness to participate in All Star Saturday night. Puzzling on the part of the NBA, honestly.

13. Mr. Ballistik

    How about this trade? Lakers send Jack Nicholson, a cheese and jalepeno WhattaBurger, and cash consideration to Miami in exchange for Jimmy Buffet, a plaster cast of Joel Anthony’s head, and a 2014 hurricane! Who says no?

    • Derek Page

      Add Texas toast and bacon to the Whataburger (make sure the bacon is crispy and break not soggy) and I think you’ve got a deal.

14. Cain

    Is Jae Crowder this years Faried / Leonard? His game reminds me a lot of Gerlad Wallace.

    • Derek Page

      I think you might be right. Crowder has been a beast all summer and into the fall and is bullying his way into playing time with Dallas. He could be the steal of the 2012 NBA Draft when it’s all said and done.

15. Cain

    Evan Turner, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, MKG or Demar Derozan? Who will be the better player in 4years?

    • Derek Page

      Give me Paul George. Guy has all the skills and has proven already how valuable he is.

16. oj simpson

    is oj mayo going to miss the opener game? i heard hes injured.
    Is Lamarcus Aldridge a franchise player?
    Do you think Golden State should of traded their 6th pick for Rudy gay? It would I think it would have been better for them to get a explosive small forward than get a rookie. Playoffs are just closer for them

    • Derek Page

      1. OJ Mayo is 100 percent and will be ready to go for the opener.
      2. Definitely. Aldridge has all the skills and is one of the most unstoppable scorers in the NBA. He’s going to prove many doubters wrong in Portland this season.
      3. There’s been a lot of rumors swirling around Gay seemingly every offseason and trade deadline but there’s no doubt he would be a great fit in GS. Especially for the 6th pick.

17. rexdaleraptor

    what do you think of hollingers report having the raptors win only 33 games this season? personally i think the raptors are a lock for the playoffs because the knicks are too old and are going to be injury prone, d rose is out for the bulls, bynum is injury prone, atlanta isnt the same anymore

    • Derek Page

      I think that might be a little harsh considering the Raptors reside in the East. Closer to .500 would be my best bet. Don’t believe Raps are better than Knicks or Bulls. Possibly Philly (if Bynum is out) or Atlanta.

18. RayG

    In my fantasy league another person wanted to give me brandon jennings for clay thompson. I currently only have 2 pgs lillard and lowry and 2 other sgs beal and derozen. In your opinion would the trade jennings for klay thompson be a good trade. The only thing that worries me is jennings low fg% and thompson might have a break out year.

    thanks
    ps
    I am in a h2h points league.

    • Derek Page

      I’m not exactly a fantasy basketball expert but I’d keep Thompson. He’s set for a big year and Jennings will have to share the backcourt with Monte Ellis.

19. Arturo

    After watching Coby Karl and Austin Rivers play in the preseason I can’t help but wonder why both of these players were not groomed from the beginning to be point guards.
    I became a big fan of Karl watching him in Portland and think he could have been a much better option than Nolan Smith. Thoughts?
    Do you agree that Rivers could have found a way to harness all of his confidence and competitive energy and to have used that to become a really good point guard? I just don’t see enough athleticism in him but I think he could have been a great point man if someone could have sold him on the rewards of being a great passer. And at the point position he would have the ball in his hands all the time. I guess my question is what do you think?
    Love your chats and your Rip City optimism. Thanks.

    • Derek Page

      Honestly Arturo, I think Rivers still could be a good NBA point guard. Like you mentioned, he has all the tools. It’s difficult to be groomed though when you only play one college season…
      It will be up to coach Monty Williams and company to figure out which guard position is better for Rivers and the team moving forward.

20. bob

    What trade do you see that could take the nuggets over the top into contender status? And by contender I mean have a real chance to go to the finals not getting the #1 seed.

    • Derek Page

      I might be in the minority with this but I think the Nuggets are already top contenders. If they can stay healthy, they are the deepest team in the NBA and have all the tools to make a deep run.

21. alan

    i might be too late to get a reply to your follow-up…but i’m not panicked about the lakers and the princeton O, i just don’t see the sense of it. it seems like a decision made prior to landing the best PnR PG of our generation and the best PnR big man…

    • Derek Page

      I can see what your saying but we’re talking about dismantling an entire offensive and coaching staff philosophy. It’s much easier said than done and it will take something serious to change it up. But, don’t get me wrong, if the proverbial poo hits the fan Coach Brown and his staff will have to adapt. I think LA will be fine though.

      Thanks for the time everyone. Hit me up @DPageHOOPSWORLD on Twitter and let’s do this again next week.