NBA Chat With Derek Page 11/3/12

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. Chris

    Hi Derek. What are the odds Taj Gibson is traded before Wednesday deadline? Bulls got burned by Omer Asik. Would sure hate to see history repeat itself.

    • Derek Page

      Welcome to the chat NBA fans. Plenty of quality questions to get to so let’s dive right in.

      Actually, Gibson signed a 4-year, $34 million contract extension mere minutes before the deadline. Good deal for the Bulls. I think you’re right: Gibson would’ve likely commanded more on the open market and slipped away.

      http://www.hoopsworld.com/gibson-bulls-agree-to-four-year-extension/

  2. maestro

    Wow was it me are was it a pleasure to see all the movement in the first quarter of the Lakers game. I don’t recall seeing the Lakers move and cut as much as they did.

    • Derek Page

      Is this sarcasm? Nice… Look, the Lakers are going to be fine. Growing pains on this team were inevitable but three games do not make a season. Holler at me in April.

  3. LA in LA

    How is it my Lakers can look so disjointed with a new team (4 new guys) compared to the Mavs who had 9 new guys?
    Is it all to blame on the Princeton?
    Is it because the The Mavs current starting line up have played together (although Wright wasn’t starting and Brand “DNP” a game) at least 5 preseason games while Lakers starters only played 1 preseason?

    • Derek Page

      That’s a good question and a difficult one to answer sufficiently. Mavs coach Rick Carlisle is one of the best in the business, no doubt, at getting the most out of each individual player. Sure, Dallas outplayed the Lakers in game one but then were dominated in the 2nd half of their second game Wednesday night against the Utah Jazz. 82 games is a long season. If LA would have made a couple more free throws Tuesday night, the game could have been a lot more competitive down the stretch.

  4. Homer

    More likely scenario: Marvin Williams makes the All-Star team, or Vince Carter wins 6th Man of the Year?

    • Derek Page

      Neither scenario is very likely. Williams has been decent as a starter so far in Utah but All Star level is a reach… In terms of VC and Sixth Man talk, I think Rodrigue Beaubois will actually be a better candidate as the season moves along.

  5. LA in LA

    Hey Page, 2 Western conference questions/comments:
    1)So..The Nuggets paid McGee $11mil for 5 years to play him 18min and 11 min respectively?
    2) I have feeling the 0-2 Nuggets won’t cause the same “sky is falling” reaction as the 0-2 Nuggets despite one of their losses coming to the Magic
    3) Would A Josh Smith-Gasol Swap improve the Lakers? Why or why not?
    Personally, I don’t think so.

    • Derek Page

      1. It’s an interesting situation. I think he has the most talent of the Denver bigs but basketball IQ has always been an issue with JaVale McGee. The hope is that George Karl can fix that.
      2. Denver will be fine. There’s 80 games left to be played.
      3. Gasol is bigger and better is the post but Smith is more athletic and a better defender overall. Each has strengths (and Smith is younger than Pau) but I don’t see the Lakers hypothetically pulling the trigger on that deal.

  6. Cain

    Will Paul George ever be that star in Indiana? I am a Pacers fan, but I don’t feel like this team will be to far different than the Hawks of last 5years.

    • Derek Page

      He certainly has all the tools and, at just 22-years old, still plenty of time to grow and mature into a dominant player. This is still Danny Granger’s team, for better or worse, but George will have his time. Indiana is a solid squad with young pieces still developing.

  7. Cain

    Damian Lillard is so amazing how good can he be?

    • Derek Page

      All rookie first team, maybe even ROY. Definitely an All Star in the next few years. Lillard has exceeded even my lofty expectations to start the season.

  8. Alec

    Hey Derek, 3 Q’s for u. 1)I know its early, but damn…wassup with Harden? Boy is INSANE!!! It feels like he the only man running in a walkathon lol 2) C’s and Lakers are horrible early, Thoughts? 3) Any trade rumors passing your way?( I know its js the beginning, but I would love to see something go down )

    • Derek Page

      1. He’s playing pissed off basketball, simple as that. Many people (including OKC) doubted his worth as a max-player and he’s dead-set on proving those doubters wrong. Harden is a great player and he’s proving it early on this season.
      2. It’s VERY earlier and both teams are banged up with a lot of moving parts to incorporate. Avery Bradley is going to be huge for the C’s when he returns and LA plain and simply needs Steve Nash back to contend.
      3. There are some guys who will almost certainly be shopped as we get closer to the deadline (Josh Smith, Rudy Gay, Paul Millsap and Tyreke Evans off the top of my head) but nothing substantial as of now.

    • Derek Page

      1. He’s playing pissed off basketball, simple as that. Many people (including OKC) doubted his worth as a max-player and he’s dead-set on proving those doubters wrong. Harden is a great player and he’s proving it early on this season.
      2. It’s VERY earlier and both teams are banged up with a lot of moving parts to incorporate. Avery Bradley is going to be huge for the C’s when he returns and LA plain and simply needs Steve Nash back to contend.
      3. There are some guys who will almost certainly be shopped as we get closer to the deadline (Josh Smith, Rudy Gay, Paul Millsap and Tyreke Evans off the top of my head) but nothing substantial as of now.

  9. NZ Steve

    Can Lance Stephenson becone an above average starting guard in the NBA? He reminds me Tyreke Evans and feel in another year will truly breakout.

    • Derek Page

      Stephenson has showed off a well-rounded and efficient game to start the season and he’s still very young at just 22. He’s a hard worker and has pretty good size and athleticism for his position. It’s going to be difficult for him to get heavy minutes behind Paul George but he certainly has some skill.

  10. Jim in Cyber Space

    Why not a HARD cap of say…85-90Mil? That would be one “fix” to what Harden’s trade pointed out. Every team has the option of spending the same money small/or big market without Tax.

    The Luxury Tax helps only the big markets. I’m sure Presti didn’t want to trade Harden? It seems like he’s being punished for being a good GM? He drafts, trades and develops talent as well as anyone. And it turns out he can’t afford to keep them all in OKC. This wouldn’t have went down the same way in NYC or LA with those deep pockets.

    • Derek Page

      The NBA Players Union would have to bend significantly, if not break completely, for a hard cap to happen. The most important job for a GM isn’t necessarily to evaluate talent, although that’s a big part of it, but to gauge value. Sam Presti didn’t believe Harden was worth a max deal and so he did what he felt he had to do.
      Also keep in mind that the new CBA is designed to severely punish these overspending teams so we’ll see how it all shakes out for teams like LA and Brooklyn over the next few years when they’ll have very limited flexibility compared to other teams.

  11. Devonte

    What did you think about the Knicks vs heat game last night? Should trading amare be something the team looks into doin?

    • Derek Page

      I thought the Knicks played great all around team basketball. Let’s see how this plays out after more than just one contest though for NY. Old legs don’t break down at the beginning of a race…

  12. Mark

    What was the whole point for celtics to resign garnett for a star contract.it will regress sullinger, fab melo’s development. he inflamed his stats last year just to get a contract just like andrey blatche did in wash. he shouldve got the veterans minimum and be a sixth man. i saw his last two games in the season. he had a lot of turnovers, fouls, missed shots. his +- was not good. boston would be beaten inside by younger quicker guys.

    • Derek Page

      Don’t underestimate KG’s value as a mentor to these young guys as well, Mark. The goal in Boston should be to try to rest KG’s legs during the season – hence more minutes for Melo and Sullinger if they earn them – then unleash Garnett in the playoffs. I think KG is a lot more valuable than you’re giving him credit for.

  13. Jack

    Hello, thanks for taking the time to answer questions.
    2 elite Power Forwards injured-K.Love and Dirk, who do you think comes back from injury and resembles their old self more?

    What Happened to Pau Gasol? His mid-range jumper isnt the same, and he isnt looking to drive in the ball as much, back in 2010 he was arguably the best PF.

    • Derek Page

      Well Jack, I think both come back and play like they’re capable of playing and that’s at a high level. Love injured his hand which shouldn’t effect his play once he comes back. With Nowitzki, although he is getting into his mid-30′s, he’s coming off of a minor knee procedure and doesn’t have much history of significant problems with his knees.
      It’s so early, it’s hard to tell with Gasol. He’s played decent so far but not necessarily up to the high standards he’s set over the last 5-10 seasons. As a whole, the Lakers combo of Gasol and Dwight Howard in the frontcourt have struggled mightily to start the season.

  14. Steven

    With Harden, Lin, and Asik to be starters for years to come, what happens at the power forward position? Trade the young guys and picks for a star or wait and see if one develops into that over time? Is Patterson gone before the end of the season?

    • Derek Page

      I think the best bet is to see what you have before making that decisions. Rookies Terrence Jones and Royce White will certainly get a shot, as will 2nd year player Marcus Morris even though Patterson is the current starter.

  15. Mike

    My fantasy team is in ruins web will these players be back?

    Manu G
    Anthony Davis
    Steve Nash
    D Rose

    • Derek Page

      Ginobili – Day-to-day but could play tonight against Utah
      Davis – Day-to-day as well but concussion could keep him out for a couple of games or even weeks.
      Nash – At least 1 week
      Rose – Probably Feb unless the Bulls decide to shut him down for 2013.

    • Derek Page

      Ginobili – Day-to-day but could play tonight against Utah
      Davis – Day-to-day as well but concussion could keep him out for a couple of games or even weeks.
      Nash – At least 1 week
      Rose – Probably Feb unless the Bulls decide to shut him down for 2013.

  16. Zac

    How do you think the knicks season will go? Will we make it out of the first round? Think Amare will be traded?

    • Derek Page

      In order to get out of the first round, the Knicks need to try to finish in the middle of the pack in the East – which is certainly attainable. That’s a possibility that Stoudemire could be moved but his value is pretty low at this point. Knicks might be better off keeping him around.

  17. scott

    what’s the word on Josh Howard?

    • Derek Page

      He’s still hopeful that he can land an NBA gig but it’s not looking good. His agent is still sending out feelers around the NBA but there’s not been any real bites to this point.

  18. MFFL

    Is Dirk coming back 6 weeks from the start of the season or 6 weeks after his surgery which was 2 weeks before the season began?

    And are you with me here or thinking this time can win it all with its blend of youth on the perimeter and veterans on the inside?

    • Derek Page

      Look for Nowitzki to return to action in late November to very early December. Remember that Dirk will need time to get his legs under him before he gets thrown right back out there as a starter.
      It’s been a tale of two games but, sure, I like what I’ve seen from this group minus their starting PF and center. Dallas has a lot of talented pieces in place but I’ll need to see how the team gels with Kaman and Nowitzki back in the lineup before I can get a good read on this team.

      My time’s up guys. Join me again next week or follow me on Twitter @DPageHoopsWorld for breaking NBA news and analysis. Have a good weekend!