NBA Chat With Derek Page 12/1/12

1. Deven

   Why did Derek Fisher sign with the Mavericks rather than a title contender like the Miami Heat. And I also heard he had considered two other teams as well. Who were those teams?

   • Derek Page

     Welcome to the today’s chat NBA fans. This week’s chat is a special birthday edition – this is how much I like you guys – so let’s get down to business!

     Well it would have to be a mutual agreement and I’m not sure there’s many teams out there that want Fisher, to be honest. His best playing days are behind him but Dallas is trying to act like he’s Jason Kidd 2.0 and that’s simply not the case.

2. Deven

   Should other teams follow the Spurs model and sit their star players early into the season after playing many games in many nights?

   • Derek Page

     I think they should Deven, especially teams that rely on older stars to carry the load. It’s clear that coach Gregg Popovich has a lot of confidence the Spurs supporting cast and, as we all witnessed this past Thursday in Miami, they generally repay that confidence with good, hard play. Fresh legs are going to be important come playoff time and, with the age of SA, that rest is going to pay dividends late in the season.

3. Mr Costec

   Hi Derek!

   Please, can you explain what is so ”controversial” in Pop´s decision to sit his core for Miami game? I mean – they’re old guys with houndreds of games in their feet, injury prone and after exhausting 5-game east coast road trip. It is normal in sports to rest some of your stars once in a while. Does commish admit there are some special rules concerning the Heat team (I don´t remember any sanctions after Portland game last year)??

   Hey, and by the way – if not for Ray Allen the Spurs would have actualy won the game!

   Saludos

   • Derek Page

     Hey I hear ya. But, in David Stern’s defense, it was the Spurs only trip to Miami and fans pay to see superstars so that’s unfair to those people who paid big bucks to see Duncan, Parker and Ginobili.

4. Eric

   In his press release, Stern said that he was penalizing the Spurs because “The team also did this without informing the Heat, the media, or the league office in a timely way.” Is there an existing rule that makes it obligatory for a team to first declare to its opponent, the media and the league office that it intends to sit its starters, or anyone for that matter?

   • Derek Page

     Not that I’m aware of. Let’s say Pop and the Spurs did let Miami know beforehand that the big 3 were taking a plane back to SA. What difference would it of made? Those guys still wouldn’t have played and fans would’ve still been disappointed regardless.

5. LA in LA

   Hey Page, the Celtics need to start bring Paul Pierce’s wheelchair with them because I don’t know how many more times Paul Pierce can have his ankles broken like that without getting crippled haha.

   • Derek Page

     Burn!

6. AJ

   Marcin Gortat to the Celtics for Lee, Melo, and a first round pick.

   Suns get a needed shooting guard and good assets. The Celtics get a very good starting center. Both sides win right?

   • Derek Page

     I like that deal for both sides. Suns obviously rebuilding so they could use as many talented young guys as they can find and SG is a need position for Phoenix.

7. Ryan

   Are there any contenders in your mind outside of the thunder that have the trade chips to land Anderson varejao?

   • Derek Page

     I think you’re on the right track but Varejao’s value is sky-high right now so it’s going to take a lot to get him.

8. Jaimeson

   what if coach pop would’ve had players on his bench & just gave them dnp? would this have been as big of an issue? & who’s to say which players fans are coming to see? that’s the risk you take anytime you cough up way too much $ to see live pro sports! that’s why more & more people are staying home w/ their HD big screens, surround sound, cheaper beverages, etc…

   • Derek Page

     That’s an interesting question… If he’s going to be fining teams large amount for this sort of thing, Commissioner Stern is going to have to develop and send out to NBA teams a list of guidelines for teams to not get fined. It all seems pretty ridiculous though.

9. Steve

   What can the raptors get in return if they package bargnani and calderon in a trade?

   • Derek Page

     Jose Calderon’s still a solid player and Andrea is still a good scorer but he’s getting older. However, I still think there’s decent value for both players on the open market

10. dirk

    in a real life situation….. if you were the GM of the mavs what player in the nba would be the best fit to play alongside with dirk and oj mayo to win a championship? ( if oj decides to stay with dallas)

    • Derek Page

      I like Chris Paul’s game a lot, and he’ll be a free agent this summer, but he’s seemingly injured or playing hurt for long stretches every season and LA isn’t going to let him go anyways. Dwight Howard would look good next to Nowitzki in the post as well, forming a new NBA twin towers in Dallas, but I doubt he leaves LA either.

11. dennis

    Do you think that the team which will finish 4th in the eastern conference will have a better or a worse record that the 5th one? With a mediocre milwaukee team, the rose-less bulls and indiana which isn’t playing up to the expectations, I think that the central division teams are not top4 eastern teams, not now yet.

    • Derek Page

      I think Indiana will turn it around once the get Danny Granger back in action and the Bulls are still solid and will likely jump right back in the thick of contention in the East when Rose comes back. So, to answer your question, no I don’t think that will happen this year.

12. JDC

    What do you think the Bulls should do? Stay put and wait for D-Rose not knowing if he will be effective or go and make a move? Maybe a Thorton, Garcia and Evans for Deng and Rip or Belinelli? Right now the way the Bobcats are playing they have 2 middle of the pack pics they can use. All Jefferson would be another target, Monta Ellis, Josh Smith.. Do you see a package that would benefit the teams? Bulls need scoring!

    • Derek Page

      Jefferson and Ellis could be decent options to provide some scoring punch but Smith isn’t going anywhere… I think patience is a virtue for this Bulls team. They are one of the best teams in the NBA with Derrick Rose in the lineup so it might be in Chicago’s best interest to stand pat.

13. Julian

    Is it time for the Bulls to go in another direction in the front office? They have been good, had the best record in the regular season but dont see them going foward with what they have.. also i think Deng should play less minutes! i we make a run at the end to the playoffs hes gona be exhausted

    • Derek Page

      Chicago is relying heavily on Luol Deng with Rose out because he’s clearly the teams best player right now. The Bulls are doing their best to try to hang tough missing arguably the best player in basketball.

14. smellysmell

    Is there a player the mavericks are trying to pursue in FA this year?

    Whats wrong with granger?

    and what small forward would you take granger deng or gay

    • Derek Page

      Chris Paul, Josh Smith and Dwight Howard are going to be at the top of the Mavs list this summer. I’d take Rudy Gay in that list. Excellent two-way player when healthy.

15. Paul Michie-Derrick

    It seems that the sixers have given up on bynum and would be willing to trade him. Since this very well could be the spurs last year as a contender with this team, what do you think about them getting bynum for leonard, green, and splitter for bynum trade? If Bynum was a Spur, I think he could manage to get back on the court. I know leonards hurt but its better than nothing for the sixes and i feel he could be really could in two years or so.

    • Derek Page

      Too much to give up for an injured Bynum. Safest bet for everyone involved is to give Bynum a shot to live up to the lofty expectations placed on him before the season with the 76ers.

16. paul Michie-Derrick

    im a huge rockets fan, what do you think the odds are of the rockets getting a damarcus cousins, a lamarcus aldridge, or a andrew bynum? are any of those trades realistic

    • Derek Page

      I don’t see it, not without giving up James Harden in the deal at least. I like Omer Asik though. Give him some time to grow into the player he’s going to be.

17. Drew

    Should/Can wolves trade DWill for T Evans, Courtney Lee, JJ reddick or W Chandler. If so which one.

    • Derek Page

      I like Courtney Lee’s game a lot and he’s going to get less and less minutes when Avery Bradley gets back healthy. That trade could be a great deal for both the C’s, T-Wolves and both players involved.

18. Donald

    Do you think the Brooklyn Nets will try to upgrade their starting power forward position from Kris Humphries and if so can they get in a trade ?

    • Derek Page

      I think Humphries is an excellent fit on that team to do the dirty work in the paint. He’s got good size and is a solid rebounder. Can’t ask for much more, realistically, next to Brook Lopez.

19. Luis

    With Portland needing help off the bench wouldn’t it have made sense to go after mickael pietrus when he was still a free agent & why don’t they try go sign Kenyon Martin.

    • Derek Page

      Those are two excellent questions Luis. The youth movement is in full effect in Portland but, if this team keeps hanging around in the playoff hunt, improving the depth on this Blazers team is going to be crucial to try and secure a playoff spot.

20. Zack

    It seems like Pau would fit better in the second unit as a backup for Dwight. Any chance the Lakers play Jamison as a stretch 4 and keep Pau on the bench to anchor the second unit, or is it time ship Pau out? Would any teams even be interested in Pau?

    • Derek Page

      With the way Gasol’s played to start the season, you might be on to something but his track record suggests this slow start is more of an aberration than harbinger of things to come.

21. Lakers#1 Fan

    Hi Derek. Enjoy your chats the most and appreciate your honesty! I have 2 questions for you. 1st one is regarding Pau Gasol. Ive heard several rumors about him being traded to NY, ATL, MIN, GS, CHI, and UT. What have you heard, and what is the most likely scenario?

    Next I heard that the Clippers had a private meeting with Phil Jackson and the word is that the Clips are going to give Del Negro until December to prove that he can take the Clips to the WC Finals. Do you foresee Vinny get fired and Phil getting hired before January?

    Thank you again for your time. Your the Best!!!

    • Derek Page

      Thanks, appreciate the love.

      1. In my opinion, his value is to low right now to sell on Gasol. Best to wait to see if he can turn it around and the weigh options.
      2. While Vinny is seemingly always on thin ice in LA, that’s not something that I’ve heard. Seems like more of a wish than a realistic possibility.

22. T.J. Wilson

    I think Jamal Crawford should be considered for the all-star team, this guy can just flat out score…he’s amazing or @ least sixth man of the year. Agree or disagree? Also, what’s your opinion on the bobcats? Do u see them as potentially being the new “Okc” in the next 2 to 3 years?

    • Derek Page

      He’s played well this year but I’m not sure Crawford’s played at an All-Star level. Minutes are likely going to dwindle as well with Mr. Big Shot Chauncey Billups set to return soon.
      Charlotte plays hard and I’m a fan of coach Mike Dunlap – the guy simply knows basketball. Not sure OKC-level talent is on the Bobcats right now but they will certainly be solid in a few years.

23. Brandon

    If you are the Jazz, what are a few players you target in a Milsap or Jefferson trade?

    • Derek Page

      Backcourt help should be a priority in Utah and either one of those players has decent value on the trade market. I wouldn’t settle for anything less than an all-star talent in a trade package for either Paul Millsap or Al Jefferson. Both guys are still relatively young and playing at a high level.

      Thanks for the time everyone but I’m off to celebrate my birthday. You guys have a good weekend and be safe.