NBA Chat With Derek Page 12/8/12

1. LA in LA

   Hey Page, this is NOT a real rumor, just a hypothetical trade a fellow fan suggested that I can’t decide if is good or not for the Lakers big man:

   Dwight for Blake Griffin and Deandre Jordan

   (Ha! Bet you thought it would be another Gasol trade)

   • Derek Page

     Welcome to my weekly chat chat NBA fans. Tons of questions to get to today so let’s get this thing started!

     There’s no way the Clippers would ever even entertain that trade, nor should they. I like Dwight Howard’s game a lot, but he’s not worth both of those guys.

2. Roon

   Do you see Rich Cho making a deal involving either Gerald Henderson or Ben Gordon? Both players could be a spark off the bench for a contender. Gordon could be very attractive if he is leaning towards voiding his player option and could become an expiring contract. Could the Cats net a 1st rounder or some front court help for either of these players?

   • Derek Page

     That’s an interesting dilemma that the Bobcats are now faced with. For the first time in a few seasons, Charlotte actually has enough of an influx of talent that solid players could have reduced minutes. I say Charlotte rides it out with both guys, then see where things stand come Feb. 21.

3. Joseph Courtney

   What would you say to the Mavs going after brandon jennings this offseason and locking up oj mayo. I have no idea where that would put us in relation to the lux cap but is that enough to lure howard from L.A.?

   • Derek Page

     If Mayo re-signs, based on the way he’s played so far and how easily max contracts were doled out last summer, he’s going to get a max deal. If that’s the case, based on Jennings current value, Dallas likely wouldn’t have the room to grab both… Thanks, as always, Joseph for the questions.

4. Joseph Courtney

   Are you going to complete the comeback of the year or what? “Playoffs?!”

   • Derek Page

     Yes and yes. Five straight wins – going for six this week – for Chalupa Batman McArthur after a dismal 2-6 start. But enough fantasy football talk… Back to the NBA.

5. LA in LA

   Good thing the Heat are intentionally getting blown out by the Knicks so as to give the Knicks a false sense of confidence when they meet in the playoffs huh?

   • Derek Page

     We’ll see… Miami’s play recently has been shaky at best but I’m betting the most talented team in basketball gets it all figured out by May. Don’t get me wrong, Knicks look legit and it would stack up to be an excellent 7-game series, but HEAT better right now.

6. T.J. Wilson

   What does Byron Mullens need to improve on in order to become more efficient for the Bobcats?…….I see alot of potential in him, I think he can gradually become a great role player for the Cats. Also, what’s the update on Wilson Chandler’s injury? I heard rumors that he maybe getting traded soon.

   • Derek Page

     Consistency is key for the 23-year old Mullins and also beefing up his thin frame a bit but that will come with age. I like how his game has evolved from last season to this year and I think he can be a solid inside player with some seasoning.

7. Eric123

   when do think anthony davis will play?

   • Derek Page

     Davis still hasn’t been cleared for contact in practice so I’d say at least a week or two before he’s back in action.

8. Mr. Ballistik

   Has the Fisher signing officially closed the door on Roddy? If so, will Dallas look to move him?

   • Derek Page

     Unfortunately, I think so as it seems like Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle never really gave Beaubois a fair shake.

9. Mr. Ballistik

   Miami is starting to look like Stallone at the beginning of Rocky III. Could we see them become guilty of trying to flip the switch, like Stallone in Over the Top? Do you think Wade has passed his peak, like Stallone in Cliffhanger?

   • Derek Page

     Count me as one journalist that see’s Miami’s recent skid as just an aberration. Way too much talent there to continue to sputter. Dwyane Wade and the HEAT will be fine… Nice Stallone references though.

10. Mr. Ballistik

    Will Cuban regret not bringing back Chandler and Barea to make another run?

    In other words, will Dallas fail to land a star player this Summer?

    • Derek Page

      Yes, and actually I think he should already regret the decision. Not so much with JJ Barea, although I really liked him as a player, Tyson Chandler was the key to the Mavericks championship and an irreplaceable asset as hands down the best center in Mavericks history. Dirk Nowitzki and Chandler were arguably the best 1-2 punch at power forward and center in basketball together.

11. Jim in CyberSpace

    The Lakers are a mess. 100M dollar payroll??? Fired the HC 5 games into the Season. The new guy doesn’t look much better? No training camp, so he has an excuse.
    It even seems like the “pysche” of organization has taken on a “moral victory” attitude. Just look at comments from the Lakers after the OKC game.
    The million dollar question is who is responsible for this debacle?

    • Derek Page

      Los Angeles DESPERATELY needs Steve Nash back to run this offense but I’m starting to believe even he won’t be enough to right this ship… Still plenty of time to get this thing figured out though and the talent is undoubtedly in place.

12. Roon

    Paul George has played very well the last couple of games. If he continues, do you think it coul be time for the Pacers to start thinking about trading Granger? What about Granger to the Raptors for Calderon and Terrence Ross? The Pacers could use the PG depth and a solid young 2-guard.

    • Derek Page

      Definitely an interesting scenario… And Toronto may certainly be on the verge of wanting to shake things up after a poor start to the season. Indy would have to wait until Granger gets back and proves he’s healthy but that’s not the worst idea I’ve ever heard.

13. Sacked n' Sac

    Hey Derek! Love your chats.With Virginia Beach basically dead and the Magoofs saying they aren’t selling where do you think the Kings will end up? Can the other 29 owners (or NBA) force the Maloofs to sell?

    • Derek Page

      Thanks! Not sure, legally speaking, the NBA can do that to the Maloofs… But I won’t lie to you, the legal side of the NBA isn’t exactly a field of expertise for me… If they do move though, I’d like to see a team back in Seattle. Very disappointing the way in which the Supersonics fans were bamboozled in that whole awful situation.

14. Kid

    Who would take in a one on one tournament , 06 wade, Westbrook, d rose or 01 iverson and why?

    • Derek Page

      Derrick Rose all day. Size, speed, quickness, skill and athleticism to handle anyone in that bunch.

15. John

    Hi thanks for the chat

    Whats the latest news on dirk?

    Which rookie are you excited to watch this season?

    DO you think drummond is going to be a bust?

    • Derek Page

      Thanks John.
      1. Things are going a bit slower than expected with Nowitzki in his rehab. Instead of mid-December, I’d say its look more like later this month or early January even to start looking for Dirk’s return.
      2. Obviously big-wigs like Damian Lillard, Anthony Davis and Thomas Robinson were on my radar but I was also interested in guys like Jae Crowder (Mavs) and Fab Melo (Celtics) who slipped a bit in the draft.
      3. He has all the tools and, at just 19-years old, plenty of time to harness that freak athletic ability. I’m a fan of his game.

16. Steve

    It appears some people want their pf coming from the bench, like amare, bargnani, gasol. Does this move realistically make their teams better?

    • Derek Page

      I’m not a fan, honestly. I think each of those guys are better utilized in the starting lineup but Pau Gasol has been terrible, Andrea Bargnani got off to a slow start and Amare Stoudemire’s been injured so it’s tough. Not sure bench roles are the answer though.

17. Victor

    Hi Derek, what’s ur take on the Knicks? Are they for real?

    • Derek Page

      I think NY is certainly on the short list of contenders in the East. What’s going to be interesting is how older players like Jason Kidd and Rasheed Wallace hold up over the long haul but, right now, it’s tough to argue against this team being a legit contender for the East throne.

18. Prince

    The Knicks are definately playing good basketball but a lot of their offense comes from an enormous amount of three balls,, without a reliable post and/or pick and roll player don’t you see this run coming to an end?

    • Derek Page

      Amare Stoudemire, when he returns, could certainly fill that void. He’s been an excellent pick and roll guy throughout his career and has even developed a nice pick and pop over the last few years. The onus is on Ray Felton and Carmelo Anthony to try to make his return, and the subsequent transition. seamless. Much easier said than done though.

19. 20

    the absence of steve nash and or blake is not the lakers problem nor the answer to those problems. we are bad in transition defensively, no one but kobe is reliable on the offensive end as of yet, metta world peace being the only other considerable offensive go to guy thus far, and the agonizing turnovers continue to mount…they (the turnovers) are painful to watch…..what deal should the lakers go after in regards to trading gasol which i think needs to be done…hes run his course in l.a. hes soft, unathletic, lost his shooting touch, and is too easily affected by the media…

    • Derek Page

      It’s tough to disagree with your assessment… Everything I’ve seen from LA so far this year is just par for the course to your argument. However, let’s also agree that it’s also been one month. Plenty can change if these guys can start to gain some cohesion – with all of these new contributors, a new offense and with the return of Nash pending – in time to be legit contenders. I’m not saying that WILL happen but the Lakers have certainly earned the benefit of the doubt, right?

20. luis

    Dom Jones and Beaubois? If there will be no real chance for either, why keeping them?

    • Derek Page

      That’s another good question… Count me as one of the many that were confused by the Fisher signing. As a leader, he’s certainly superb but not when he’s taking minutes away from those guys.

      Thanks for the time once again guys. If I couldn’t get to you, follow me over on Twitter @DPageHOOPSWORLD or meet me back again here next Saturday. Have a good weekend and be safe out there.