NBA Chat With Derek Page 11/17/12

Covering all things NBA from the city of Dallas, join HOOPSWORLD NBA Writer Derek Page for his weekly chat this Saturday at 5:00 pm EST. Shoot your questions in now.

  1. ralph lawrence

    Do you think Tyreke Evans would be traded this season? I heard the knicks are interested in Evans and so as the other teams.. How do you like a trade between evans and shumpert? or maybe getting chandler parsons and terrence jones for tyreke evans and john salmons? IMO if the kings would even consider trading Evans I think they should get a SF in return.. In that way the kings would now have a solid SF together with james johnson. In that way jimmer could switch from being the 3rd PG by sliding to the 2 position backing up thornton.. your thoughts?

    • Derek Page

      Welcome to my weekly chat NBA fans. Plenty to get to so let’s do this.

      I wouldn’t rule it out. Not sure if the Knicks would be a player in that and I doubt Iman Shumpert would be enough of a haul for the Kings to accept that trade. That roster in Sacramento is a mess and it’s obvious that Evans is not a fit so look for trade buzz to continue to swirl as we get closer to the trade deadline.

  2. Joel Anthony

    is there a team i can be traded too to bring something back to Miami or if packaged with a Mario Chalmers can Miami have a better pg

    • Derek Page

      Why do fans of already elite NBA teams always want more? Miami is looking stout once again this season but I think you touched on something poignant with Chalmers: he shouldn’t be starting. If I’m Miami, I start Chris Bosh at center, LBJ at PF, Battier at the 3, Ray Allen at the 2 and, when healthy, Wade at point. That’s about as good of a starting five as there is in the NBA featuring LeBron at PF where he is absolutely unstoppable.

  3. Steve

    If you had a choice between lillard and a.davis being ROY, who would it be?

    • Derek Page

      Right now, I’d go with Damian Lillard. Right off the bat, he’s shown the explosiveness and playmaking ability that made him such a coveted prospect. Lillard leads all rookies in scoring at 19.3 points per contest and will only evolve as the season progresses.

  4. LA in LA

    Watching the Griz vs OKC, I couldn’t help but notice in the 2nd quarter Brooks subbed out his entire starting 5 (don’t remember if it was gradual or at once) at one point.
    There are very few teams who can have all their bench players on floor at once and I don’t think OKC’s one of those teams.
    Marc Gasol vs Collison or Thabeet= Slaughter.
    Does he normally have all those bench players on at once? I’d think he’d keep at least KD or WB on the floor at all times minus blowouts.

    • Derek Page

      Generally, when a coach pulls his entire starting five it’s to send a message. It’s easy to forget because of how good they are but the Thunder are still a very young team and Scott Brooks knows how to push the right buttons to get the most out of his players in OKC.

  5. Peter

    I love Brooklyn’s offense but I just don’t think their contenders to come out of the East until they add some more defense. They have enough scorers with Williams, Johnson, Lopez, and Brooks. There team is pretty deep but don’t you think they should be adding quality defensive veteran players to round out their bench? I’m thinking Pietrus, Kenyon Martin, and Chris Anderson. Lopez is injury prone and their frontcourt depth is non existent even with Evans. I think they would sign for the veteran minimum for a chance to compete. Plus with Wallace out their 3 spot has a glaring hole that Pietrus would fit perfectly in. No disrespect to Bogans and Stackhouse. If you add 2-3 of those guys listed above I think they automatically would be able to contend with the Heat, Knicks, and Celtics out East. Thoughts?

    • Derek Page

      Well Peter, the Nets have spent a whole lot of money already formulating this roster so if those players wanted any more than the vet minimum, I’m think Brooklyn passes. But, to your other point, I don’t think the Nets are contenders either way. They’ve only beat one team above .500 this season and that was Boston without Rajon Rondo. I don’t think Brooklyn has the firepower to compete with Miami in the East.

  6. Bob

    Will Miami heat sign kenyon martin

    • Derek Page

      They’ve been in contact but it’s nowhere near being a done deal at this point. Call me crazy but I think it’s more likely that K-Mart is playing overseas if he plays professional ball this season.

  7. Steve

    If the raptors were to get pietrus, who do you think they’ll get rid of in order to sign him? Keep in mind that they already have 15 players.

    • Derek Page

      That’s a good question Steve. Maybe Quincy Acy? Lots of DNP Coaches Decisions already. Not sure there’s much interest on either side for Mickael Pietrus to join the Raptors though.

  8. SatBchMagicer

    Hi Derek, Am having trouble following all the Royce White ‘hubbub’ out of Houston. A lot of ‘discussion’ seems centered around ‘travel issues’ but that doesn’t(nor has White- for all his twitter ramblings) ‘explain’ this past week’s missing ‘home’ games/practices. What is your ‘take’ on situation from your vantage point?

    • Derek Page

      From what I know, Houston is pressuring White to see their team physician to try to cope with his mental issues but White is hesitant. White believes that his doctor knows him best and is afraid the Rockets are just trying to force him back into action without actually addressing his illness. It’s a crazy situation and neither side, despite Royce being fined daily for missing action, appears willing to budge. White and GM Daryl Morey are meeting today though so we’ll know more as that progresses.

  9. Darius Frink

    How’s it going Derek. I’m a die-hard Mavs fan and I like the way our ne additions have played Mayo,Collison Jae Crowder, and Kaman. Once Dirk comes back, if we are healthy in the playoffs can we duplicate our championship season.

    • Derek Page

      I’m good Darius, thanks for the question.
      As for the Mavs, I think it’s way too early to talk championship. Dallas has been very inconsistent to start the year and it’s going to take a lot of work when Dirk comes back to get this thing on track. The talent is definitely there for Dallas to be a contender in the West but all these new faces need time to gel.

  10. Marcus

    Will the Milwaukee Bucks draft a shooting guard in the draft after this season when Monta leave

    • Derek Page

      Milwaukee used a late pick is this past draft on Doron Lamb but I think you’re right in assuming the Bucks go after a 2 in 2013. However, the Monta Ellis, Brandon Jennings backcourt pairing has looked sharp to start the season for the 5-2 Bucks so there might still be a chance that Ellis sticks around.

  11. Cain

    What did you think of Pacers win over Mavs yesterday? Really hope they can turn into Grizzlies of the East?

    • Derek Page

      No doubt, the Pacers looked sharp last night in beating down Dallas. The offense has been stagnant to start the season in Indiana though so I’m hesitant to put them up there as East contenders quite yet. Danny Granger’s return will certainly help on the offensive end and I think we’ll get a better idea of how good these Pacers can be once they get their leader back.

  12. Darren

    If Memphis had drafted Harden over Thabeet do you think they would be the favourites this year?

    • Derek Page

      That’s a legitimate possibility Darren but one could argue they should be the favorites in the West right now. The Grizzlies have played excellent basketball to start the season and, if Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph can stay healthy, West teams should be wary of the stout squad in Memphis.

  13. ryan

    If Jrue Holiday keeps playing like he has this early in the season, what separates him from the elite point guards like Deron Williams?
    Holiday: 19.1 ppg, 8.6 apg, 4.0 rpg, 45.6% shooting, 44.8% 3pt
    Williams: 18.6 ppg, 7.7 apg, 2.3 rpg, 44.9% shooting, 29.7 % 3pt
    If anything going by the stats, Holiday has been better so far, and will only improve when Bynum comes back.

    • Derek Page

      That’s an interesting point and the key is that the 22-year old Holiday is only going to continue to grow and get better. Holiday’s scoring might dip a bit when Andrew Bynum gets back, and this is a small sample size, but I think you’re on to something that he should be getting more respect around the NBA than he currently garners.

  14. BlazerFAN

    How do you feel about Olshey and what he has done??

    Who do you think the Blazers should target in this FA that push them into playoff hunt?? THanks love the chats!

    • Derek Page

      I think he’s done a decent job but the onus should be on shoring up that extremely weak Blazers bench moving forward. I still think Portland has a shot at making the playoffs this season but the reserves are going to have to take some pressure off of the Blazers outstanding starting 5 if that’s going to happen.

  15. dennis

    I know it’s still early but can the bobcats be a sleeper team this year?

    • Derek Page

      I think anything is possible in the East but I’m not sure the Cats are quite there yet. As we’ve seen, this team is going to compete this season every night but next season might be a more viable goal for a postseason berth in Charlotte.

  16. Blake

    What do you think (if anything) the Craptors, sorry the Raptors, could get for Bargnani?

    • Derek Page

      It’s very early but I think Toronto is better off keeping Andrea Bargnani. He’s shown he has all the tools to be a potential All Star in this league and there’s still plenty of time for him to snap out of his funk and help turn around the Raptors season.

  17. Joseph Courtney

    Hey Derek, assuming the mavs are buyers (and God knows I hope they are) at the trade deadline, what are the top three names you see kicking around the rumor mill?

    • Derek Page

      That’s a tough question to sufficiently answer simply because I haven’t at a chance to see this Mavs team at full strength yet. If Darren Collison is struggling, I think Jose Calderon could be a cheap and viable option. Al Jefferson is a free agent after the season so Dallas could pursue him if Chris Kaman is injured, ineffective or they just want to make a big splash at the deadline… Those are two impact names off the top of my head but we’ll discuss this more and more in depth as Feb gets closer.

  18. Kevin

    Do you think the Lakers will trade Pau Gasol for Josh Smith and would this move improve the team?

    • Derek Page

      I don’t think Atlanta has any interest in moving Smith. The Hawks goal is to try to build around him in order to get him to stick around in Atlanta this summer.

  19. Kush Sharma

    If bargnani keeps struggling do you think Bargs+Calderon is enough to trade for J-Smoove

    • Derek Page

      Interesting and enticing pieces moving to ATL in that scenario but Hawks arent selling Smith right now.

  20. racquel marriott

    How come Melo is not being considered an MVP? If it was Miami who had a winning streak like that everyone would be picking Lebron for a lock as an MVP. How far do you think the Knicks can go? I can’t believe people actually had Dwade ahead of Kobe. I’d be surprise if Wade last a productive 5 more yrs in the NBA dude seems to always be banged up.

    • Derek Page

      That’s a good question but, realistically, it’s better to let the season play out a little more before jumping on the Melo for MVP bandwagon. The general thought around the NBA that Carmelo Anthony doesn’t play any defense doesn’t help that cause either but he’s played excellent basketball on both ends of the floor to start the season… As for the Knicks, I like the way they’ve played but this is the oldest team in the NBA. It’s not the start I’m worried about but the finish with all of those old legs being relied upon in vital roles for NY.

  21. Beckner

    How much imorovement do you expect to see this season out of the Hornets,Bobcats and Warriors?

    • Derek Page

      Alright last question guys:

      Both the Hornets and Bobcats have exceeded expectations to start the season and I expect them to make life difficult on opposing squads all season long. Do they make the playoffs? That’s highly doubtful but neither team is an easy W for the other team this season. As for GS, injuries are always a lingering issue there and I need to see that squad remain healthy to formulate a valid opinion.

      Thanks for the time guys. Hit me up on Twitter if I missed you and join me again next week. Take care and have a good weekend!