NBA Chat With Derek Page 12/22/12

1. Wil

   Hi Derek, a question about Dwight. When healthy how would you rank him against the ‘golden age’ of Centers in the 90s (Hakeem, Robinson, Shaq, Ewing, Zo, Sabonis, and Smits)? I seem him as about Zo level of production (although bigger and stronger, Zo had more heart so it balances out). Thoughts?

   • Derek Page

     Another weekend is upon us which means it’s time for my weekly chat with you guys. Some quality questions on tap so let’s get to it.

     Interesting… I agree that he might have been able to hang with Alonzo Mourning but there’s no question that he isn’t in the same league as Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Shaq O’Neal or Patrick Ewing. Still hard to believe all of those elite centers played during the same era.

2. Joseph Courtney

   Say Dirk is back and the Mavs gell well after the allstar break. How far do you see the Mavs going in the playoffs?

   • Derek Page

     In the famous words of former NFL head coach Jim Mora: “Playoffs? Don’t talk about — playoffs? You kidding me? Playoffs?” … Dirk Nowitzki getting back will obviously be a plus but this team is a disaster right now defensively and probably the worst rebounding team in the NBA. In all honesty, this might be the worst defense I’ve ever seen in Dallas and I was an avid viewer of the Don Nelson era.

3. maurice

   1.What else does ernie grunfeld needs to do to get fired?

   2.What else does joe dumars needs to do to get fired?

   • Derek Page

     Two excellent questions that I’m not quite sure anyone knows the real answer to. Both franchises look like complete disasters… I’d say the Wizards at least have a couple of pieces that would suggest they could challenge but neither team appears to be heading in the right direction.

4. Joseph Courtney

   What 3 things would you say need to happen for us to be legitimate contenders this season? (Is that even possible?)

   • Derek Page

     Not possible with this roster to be legit contenders. Teams need to be able to rebound and, at least, get stops when they need them to be championship material. To be clear, I’m not saying Dallas can’t or won’t make the playoffs – Dirk Nowitzki is still one of the best players in the world – but this is by no means a potential championship team.

5. LA in LA

   Wednesday night Mike D’Antoni and Gasol went out to dinner to discuss his (lack of a fit) in the offense.
   Apparently the idea he got from that talk was saying Pau needs to add a 3pt shot to his game (said this Thursday afternoon)…
   I can’t help but think MDA should coach Gasol to his strengths instead of telling an old dog to add a new trick.

   • Derek Page

     Nothing seems to be working so far this season for Pau Gasol so it’s not surprising that he may be open to new ideas. Not sure an added 3-point shot to his repertoire is by any means a cure-all though.

6. Raps4ever

   Hi Derek, A Happy Holiday greetings to you. Who do you think will eventually be an All-star in the future, DeRozan, Gerald Henderson, or Gordon Hayward?
   Secondly, Do you think the Raptors need to fire Bryan Colangelo ASAP?

   • Derek Page

     Happy Holidays to you as well! Happy Holidays to all you guys by the way, thanks for joining my on this Saturday.

     1. Give me Henderson. I got a chance to see him up close and personal for the majority of a season a couple of years ago in Charlotte and he has all the tools to be an All Star.
     2. Not sure I’m ready for that kind of knee-jerk reaction in Toronto. The Raptors obviously haven’t been very good this season but it’s prudent to see a full, healthy team before rushing to judgement on a top-exec like Colangelo.

7. Cain

   How about the Pacers lately? What’s been the biggest change during this winning period?

   • Derek Page

     Defense. In winning five of their last six games, the Pacers have allowed more than 90 points just once and that just happened to be their only loss.

8. T.J. Wilson

   What do you think about Chris Copeland? I think he’s a pretty good role player with potential, an already seasoned pro from playing over seas and is a proven scorer(even though he receives garbage minutes)…..So with that said, will the Knicks give him a guaranteed contract or will they try to move him? What’s the latest update on Shumpert?

   • Derek Page

     Not going to lie to you, I don’t know much about him other than that he’s been fairly productive in limited minutes so far this season. I’d bet that the Knicks keep him… The latest I’ve heard on Iman Shumpert is that he’s running conditioning drills but hasn’t returned to full-contact practice.

9. Jason

   Which Warriors will make it to All-Star Weekend?

   • Derek Page

     It’s going to be tough to leave David Lee off of the reserves with the way he’s played this season but the West All Star backcourt might be too crowded for Steph Curry to make it.

10. Julian

    After seeing how the Bulls are playing lately if Rose comes back and can give hem at least 18 and 6, are they contenders?

    Also i used to love the kings in the Peja, C-Webb, Bibby era and hate to see what they have now. They need to do something drastic because this rebuilding phase is going bad bad bad!
    Your thoughts, what should they do?

    • Derek Page

      In order to be legit contenders, Bulls need a 100 percent Derrick Rose. No two ways about it.
      I like the start they’ve made, actually, if Demarcus Cousins could keep his head on straight he and Thomas Robinson have the talent to be the best frontcourt in basketball in a couple of years. The backcourt is another story altogether though…

11. andrew squiddy

    what do u think of demar derozan?

    • Derek Page

      I’m a big fan of DeRozan’s game. Especially considering the fact that he’s just 23-years old and continuing to develop. I like the way he’s bounced back this year after a forgettable 2011-12 season.

12. ricky from minneapolis

    Everywhere I turn my Wolves teammates are getting hurt- Chase, Kevin, Brandon, JJ, Malcom, Nickola, Andrei, Josh, now Kevin (again)!

    Who should David Kahn target with Derrick Williams as trade bait to help us get better?

    • Derek Page

      OK we’ve got a little less than 10 minutes left so I’m going to try and rapid-fire the last of these questions:

      When healthy, the T-Wolves look stacked. Might be better to take a wait-and-see approach rather than have to integrate a new player onto a (likely) playoff team.

13. Jeff

    DeMarcus Cousins has another spat with one of his head coaches and seems to be a cancer. Do you think he could be on his way out the door?

    • Derek Page

      It’s going to be tough to get equal value for a player in his early 20′s with as much potential as Cousins… Not unless the perfect deal comes along would I pull the trigger on a talent like that.

14. Gerald

    EVEN WHEN NASH IS BACK PGASOL IS STILL A BAD FIT AND CONTRACT WHY SHOULD THE LAKERS WAIT TO TRADE HIM JUST GET IT OVER WITH

    • Derek Page

      When his value is this low – possibly the lowest of his 11-year NBA career – it’s difficult to justify getting rid of a player like Gasol for peanuts. This is true especially considering just how valuable Gasol has been to this franchise – two NBA championships in particular.

15. SatBchMagicer

    Hi Derek, First- thanks for ‘putting’ Dwight in ‘context’ for those fans who didn’t have pleasure of viewing those ‘great’ centers from the 90′s/early 00′s; I also miss their ‘games’; My question, with 1/3 of 12/13 season played, are you now willing to concede MAYBE you were ‘a little’ wrong about ORL’s prospects? They have 12-14 record(same as LAL), are in 10th in East, AND are 7-4 against Western Conference teams, including games with: SAS/GSW/MIN/DEN.

    • Derek Page

      Not maybe a little, I was dead-wrong on my individual prediction for the Magic. Orlando has proved a lot this season, especially guys like Glen Davis and JJ Reddick who have really stepped up in both Howard’s and Ryan Anderson’s absence.

16. steppxxxxz

    well, i think hayward IS a potential all star. And my question is about where utah is headed, their bad offense under corbin, and what they need to do with expiring contracts?

    • Derek Page

      I certainly think Gordon Hayward could be too but the person asking the question forced me to pick one so I went with Hendo… In terms of Utah, their offense actually hasn’t been half-bad – it’s the defense that has had a huge letdown this season. I say keep Derrick Favors and then decide who can return better value out of Paul Milsap and Al Jefferson.

17. Lee

    Do you think the Kings organization will fire coach Keith Smart soon?

    • Derek Page

      I like Smart as a coach, and as a person really, but it wouldn’t shock me if he is let go after the team’s disappointing start this season.

18. Luís

    Is it me or one of these days collison is being traded?

    • Derek Page

      His contract would work as an expiring if the team trading for him decides not to pick up his qualifying offer after the season so you never know.

      Thanks as always for the time guys. Enjoy the holiday week and be safe my friends.