NBA Chat With Derek Page 2/23/13

1. Anthony

   R.I.P. DR.JERRY BUSS…TRULY GOING TO BE MISS….?…With the lakers not trading Dwight before the trade deadline,him not getting along with Kobe or D’antoni.Do you see him leaving 20-30million dollars on the table and playing somewhere else next season?

   • Derek Page

     Another weekend chat is upon us NBA fans as we move on past the trade deadline and All Star break. It wasn’t the most exiting deadline in recent memory but some major questions about some big name players were certainly answered… Let’s get to some questions!

     Jerry Buss was an innovator that changed the culture of sports and the way that basketball was viewed in Los Angeles. Certainly will be missed… That’s going to be an incredibly difficult decision but one that he doesn’t necessarily HAVE to make if he wants to leave. Instead of losing him for nothing if Howard makes up his mind that he wants to go play somewhere else, LA could agree to a sign in trade in which the Lakers get back some pieces and D12 gets his money. Most likely scenario is that Howard stays in LA though.

2. Prismelk

   Who is the best player to never win any MVP award?

   • Derek Page

     Of my era, I’d have to say Patrick Ewing or John Stockton but that’s a pretty loaded question my friend!

3. Prismelk

   Will the format of All NBA Team Awards be like that of All-star balloting, three (3) frontcourts and two (2) guards? Thanks!

   • Derek Page

     Not that I’m aware of… the center position does still exist.

4. Prismelk

   Michael Jordan. Kobe Bryant. LeBron James.

   Who has the most haters? Who is hated the most and why? Thanks!

   • Derek Page

     I’d have to say Kobe Bryant simply because he has haters both for his illustrious accomplishments on the floor to go along with some highly publicized off the court issues… You don’t get to the pinnacle of any profession without having your fair share of people that want to see you fail though.

5. Rox fan

   Can you see the blazers trading Aldridge to the rockets for Pat Patterson and future 1st round draft pick?

   • Derek Page

     You’re joking, right?

6. stepxxxxz

   All this talk of flexibility sounds like code for we arent very good. The good teams have almost no flexibility and dont want it. It seems teams have done well that were willing to take on contracts for prospects or picks. Your thoughts?

   • Derek Page

     I would have to agree. Teams like, for instance, Dallas that are putting all of their eggs in the summertime free agent basket are bound to be disappointed. The best players in the NBA generally don’t hit the free agent market and, when they do, only one out of 30 teams will get him.

7. LA in LA

   Wow, what a baffling deadline by the Bucks or Jazz.

   1) Not only did the Bucks NOT trade Ellis or Jennings, they ADDED Reddick?

   2) How did the Bucks fail to trade any of their 6 or 7 big men?

   3) So the Jazz did not move Millsap or Al, They must be confident that they can keep both, although that would just further impede the growth of Favors/Kanter. Of all the big names floated, I was certain one or both of them would leave.

   4)When do the Jazz plan on rebuilding and stop hovering around 50 wins and first round exit? They are imo the King of “No man’s Land”, with Atlanta holding that crown in the East, although at least they’re making progess (getting rid of JJ).

   • Derek Page

     I would have to agree with most of your points. Especially dumbfounding that Utah didn’t get rid of one or the other on the Jefferson/Millsap front. I believe Milwaukee improved their squad for the better, though. Hard to see Bucks not making the playoffs.

8. Prismelk

   If the Spurs get the best record by, say 4-5 games over the 2nd best, and Tony Parker continues to play at this level, what are his chances to win the MVP award?

   I believe we can insert the “best player on the best team” principle here as other players in just the last 10 years have won the award because of this.

   Your thoughts, please?! Thanks!

   • Derek Page

     With LeBron James and Kevin Durant around and playing exceptional basketball, it’s either one of theirs to lose. LBJ seems like a lock right now to bring home the MVP trophy.

9. LA in LA

   Hey Derek, 2 unrelated questions:

   1) Do you think Lakers will look into getting Warrick as a back up to Howard?

   2) What was the Bucks GM drinking that made him believe he could get Smith without giving up one of Sanders/Jennings/Ellis? Ferry should have hung up the moment he said that,(although idk why anyone wants Ellis but that’s another question for another day)

   • Derek Page

     1. Warrick is better at the 4 than the 5… Miami could be a more likely destination.

     2. GM’s around the league smelled blood in the water and were hoping a desperate Atlanta team would agree to a bare bones deal. Hawks stood fast.

10. steppxxxxxz

    it seems teams are clearing space to make runs at big names. But there are only so many big names. What does atlanta do if josh walks……..howard isnt going there and i doubt CP3 is either. So then where are they?

    • Derek Page

      Firmly in rebuilding mode. Atlanta, recently, has been a team that’s been good but not great. Sitting on the precipice but not quite there led by Smith. It might be time to start from scratch and try to build around Al Horford and a couple of seasons of top lottery picks if Smith decides to head elsewhere this summer.

11. Deven

    Some trade deadline huh, Derek?

    • Derek Page

      It was a blast! Plenty of smokescreens and inactivity to occupy my Thursday.

12. Nuno

    HI, do you think Hassan Whiteside will have another opportity in the NBA? now or in the coming seasons? he would be very useful to teams that need a big man that is good on D, like the blazers, bulls or spurs…

    • Derek Page

      He certainly has the size… Talented 7-footers don’t exactly grow on trees but he’s still very raw as a player.

13. Ozair

    What do you make of the Knicks recent downfall, something temporary or just a little hiccup?

    • Derek Page

      As I mentioned early on this season, being the oldest team in the NBA has both it’s advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to be playing at your highest level come playoff time so minutes for key players like Jason Kidd have to be managed wisely.

14. Jordan

    Saw an article of the top teams in 5 years, and was definitely surprised not to see Utah on there when teams like Portland were. Who do you see as the top 4 in both conferences given the young talent on the rosters today, in 5 years?

    • Derek Page

      There’s a lot up in the air in Utah, so I could see how someone could leave them out… That’s an extremely loaded question Jordan. It’s impossible to know what moves teams will make but just based off promise, you would have to think Cleveland, Chicago, Portland, Houston, Golden Sate and Philadelphia among others would have to be involved in the discussion.

15. Francisco

    Derrick Rose was reported to have participated in 5 on 5 but I also hear that he cant dunk yet, do you think he should just take off the season since the returns of Iman Shumpert and Ricky Rubio have proved that explosion will take time to gain again?

    • Derek Page

      I disagree Francisco. While Chicago has played pretty well without Rose in the lineup, he is a one of a kind game-changer – players like Shumpert or Rubio aren’t even in the same league – and from what I’ve heard he’s nearly 100 percent. Bulls are a championship contender with a healthy D Rose.

16. Ozair

    What is Orlando doing? They get back less talent and don’t really save financially in those two deals they made.

    • Derek Page

      It was apparent that keeping J.J. Redick wasn’t a guarantee so the Magic took the best deal they could get. Can’t blame them for that.

17. JP

    Hi Derek! I have two questions for you!
    A-Do you think this roster may have a chance to win a ring with the right guidance & time?
    Rubio-Oladipo-Ak47-Love-Pek. Shved-Budinger-AK47-Dwill-Stiemsma.Nick Calathes/Barea-Tim Hardaway Jr-Gelabale-Hummel-Dante.
    B-Do you think that if the price is too high, Minne should trade Pek along with Budinger (And maybe a draft pick) for a top pick to draft either of the two monsters to come out of the NBA 2014 draft?

    • Derek Page

      A: When healthy, I think Minnesota features a dangerous team that has the talent to stack up against just about any team in the NBA.
      B: Pekovic is a restricted FA after the season so that’s not likely.
      
      Thanks for the time once again my friends. Hit me up on Twitter or through email if I missed you and join me again next Saturday. Have a good weekend!