NBA Chat With Derek Page 2/9/13

1. alvin

   I’ve watch a lot b-ball over years and in watching the knicks i dont see why with amare back and looking pretty much his old self that they want to keep bringing him of the bench.look melo is sf.knicks will best with both on the count to start games.

   • Derek Page

     Welcome everyone to another edition of my weekly NBA chat. The trade deadline is right around the corner and we’ve got plenty of questions to get to so let’s get started:

     I would have to disagree with you on that, Alvin. Carmelo Anthony has excelled this season playing the four in a smaller Knicks lineup and there’s no reason to shake things up.

2. Deven

   Any chance there might be a Deron Williams like trade for this upcoming trade deadline? In other words, a trade that nobody ever heard about or didn’t expect to happen at all?

   • Derek Page

     I think there’s always a chance for surprises around the deadline… In the media, we only have access to so much information so there’s bound to be deals at least talked about that only a select few are aware of.

3. Deven

   Do you think the Celtics are playing better without Rajon Rondo?

   • Derek Page

     When a team has it’s collective back against the wall like Boston after Rondo went down, especially on a proud veteran team like the Celtics, they’re not going to go down without a fight. Everyone counted this team out when Rondo went down and that’s resulted in a huge amount of extra motivation and a nice winning streak. Is this team better without one of the best point guards in the NBA? Absolutely not but this team shouldn’t be counted out as playoff contenders in the East.

4. Aristotle

   Heya Derek
   Big hypothetical based on Laker rumours…
   Gasol has mentioned possibly leaving as he’s not happy with Coach and can’t co-exist with Howard
   Howard isnt happy with Coach or Bryant calling him out to play hurt. What do the Lakers do if both bail? I think you need a strong skin to deal with Kobe as a team mate and his aspirations

   • Derek Page

     Neither player is 100 percent right now so a trade that would satisfy LA seems highly unlikely… However, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that Dwight Howard may not be a lock to stick around with the Lakers this summer. If LA has any hesitancy in that regard, it may be time to pull the trigger on a deal – even if they don’t get exactly what they would normally expect in return.

5. Cain

   Paul George has been awesome this year as has West, what are the Pacers lacking to be a true threat in NBA?

   • Derek Page

     Indiana should be considered a decent threat in the East right now, honestly. Integrating Danny Granger back into the lineup will be crucial, but the Pacers are clearly a threat in the Eastern Conference in 2013.

6. Cain

   Who would you say are upcoming Stars of the NBA? Irving, Lillard, Harden, George????

   • Derek Page

     That’s a good start. The good news for the NBA is that there are plenty of young guys to carry the torch heading into the future of the league.

7. LA in LA

   Please tell me Dwight’s sitting out All-star weekend. With his abundance of injuries he does NOT need to play. I honestly don’t want Kobe to either but I think he’s too competitive and not injured enough to not play….

   • Derek Page

     As far as I know, barring any setbacks, Howard’s going to give it a go. I see your point though: much better to rest up than play in a meaningless exhibition.

8. LA in LA

   I heard the Cavs want to offer Greg Oden a multi year contract. WHY? I understand the talent he had to go #1 but if we’re being honest, Oden should get a 10-day contract; no rational team should give a man with his injury history a multi-year deal. Can you imagine him signing that and then hurting himself in the first game? The Cavs would be screwed, even if it’s a cheap contract.

   • Derek Page

     We’re on the same page on this one. Anything more than a year at the league minimum seems risky to me… Skilled 7-footers don’t exactly grow on trees though so a 2-year offer wouldn’t exactly be a shock.

9. Peter

   Hey Derek, Should the raptors wait till the off-season before dealing Bargnani? I think they should see what happens to the Lakers before deciding where to trade Andrea. Pau has been their primary target and if the Lakers fail to make the playoffs this year, There is a really good chance Pau gets traded. If thats the case, the Raps can offer Bargnani.

   • Derek Page

     Sound reasoning. Unless there’s just an overwhelming sense of urgency to get rid of Bargnani asap, it would be smarter to let him up his value a bit and see if they can get a better deal this summer.

10. lakerhelp

    With World Peace and Blake throwing up missed shote would it be better to start Meeks and then give Morris and Ebanks a chance? Missed 3′s = Fastbreak points!

    • Derek Page

      That seems like the least of the Lakers worries and Jodie Meeks simply hasn’t played well enough so far this season to earn more playing time.

11. Wil

    Hi Derek, two questions. First, I know there has been a lot written, but I cannot believe the train wreck that is the Lakers this year. Has there ever been anything like this? I am trying to think back, but I cannot remember a more dysfunctional bunch (maybe NJ with Coleman/Anderson, but even they were better in comparison)? Second, does this close the lid on D’Antoni as a coach? He has now had two post-Suns chances to work with talented roster and has failed miserably. How can you not effectively communicate to twelve people?

    • Derek Page

      1. It is pretty surreal. Count me as one of the many that thought LA would steamroll through the regular season. When you take into account the salary, expectations and the fact that this team might not make the playoffs; these Lakers could be the biggest disappointment in NBA history.
      2. There’s still time for Mike D’Antoni to turn things around but this certainly doesn’t look good – especially after the debacle in NY. In all fairness, the guy has had just a couple of months to integrate a new system to a myriad of key Lakers players that weren’t here last season.

12. David from Portland

    If my Blazers fail to get Pekovic this off season, what do you think of this plan B consisting of getting (1 out of the pair) Dalembert/Zaza, Devin Harris/D.J. Augustin, and resigning JJ Hickson and rolling with Meyers Leonard as our future center? I believe we should have the cap room to do that. Or is there are others you think we should target?

    • Derek Page

      Judging by last summer, Portland will likely offer him a max deal. Not 100 percent that Minnesota, with decisions to be made about Kevin Love’s future, retains him… I don’t think Sam Dalembert or Zaza Pachulia are much of an upgrade over Hickson and Leanord.

13. Jorge Martinez

    Any chance make a move for JSMOOVE or Al Jefferson? For JS they could trade Marion, Bernard James and OJ MAYO. For Big Al they could trade Kaman and Marion or Kaman, Carter and Roddy B.

    • Derek Page

      Josh Smith plays the same position as Dirk Nowitzki and Nowitzki can’t/ doesn’t want to play center again and, honestly, neither do the Mavs. I like Smith’s game a ton, but I don’t see him as a fit in Dallas. On paper, Jefferson would seemingly be solid but Utah would have to be interested in strictly a salary dump… OJ Mayo has an early termination option that he will likely exercise this offseason so he would have to re-up with a prospective team.

14. Nolonger Disgruntled Raps Fan

    Hey Derek, do you think the bargs for boozer deal actually have any legs? I can’t see the bulls pulling the trigger with how well booz has played this year and with the bulls having a chance to make a deep playoff run when rose returns. I like the deal for the Raps but can’t see the bulls doing it.

    • Derek Page

      I don’t like it for either side. Chicago has played well this season with Derrick Rose on the sidelines and the Bulls are a legit contender to come out of the East this season with Rose fully healthy and running the show. As for Toronto, I think a better deal can be had if they are patient.

15. mark

    Hi derek
    Can you see the bucks making a move to get an all star caliber player or will it be only smaller moves as they try to make a playoff run. Thanks.

    • Derek Page

      From what I’ve heard, only smaller moves… Brandon Jennings and Monte Ellis have played better together this season and it’s highly doubtful that Ellis will leave $11 mill on the table to hit free agency this summer.

16. Gregory

    Do you think the current Dwight Howard is a five year max player? It looks like he will never be the Orlando Dwight Howard again due to back surgery.

    • Derek Page

      If Roy Hibbert is a max player, then there’s no doubt in my mind Howard is as well. No doubt he’s been shaky this season but Howard has no other serious injury history aside from the back issues from last season and still has been one of the best centers in the NBA this year.

17. Matty D

    Hi Derek,

    I’m a Raptors fan. I want to know if the Raps had the team they have now at the beginning of the season where do you think they would be in the Eastern Conference standings?
    Thanks

    • Derek Page

      It’s feasible that Toronto would be in he mix at around 9 or 10 in the East right now, hovering close to .500. Raps dealt with injuries early and Rudy Gay has been a phenomenal addition.

18. I am Houston

    Does houston land Jsmoove before the deadline?If u think not please explain.

    • Derek Page

      Not likely. It’s hard for me to see Atlanta giving up on Josh Smith after all of the moves they made this past offseason to try to get him to want to re-up.

19. Hall

    Jazz get Rondo and Fab; LAC get Big Al; Celtics get DJ and Billups.
    Would you do it if you were the Jazz, LAC and Celtics?

    • Derek Page

      No way Utah does that. Rajon Rondo is out for the rest of the season and won’t be playing basketball again until September.

20. DV

    Whats your thoughts on Greivis Vasquez’s breakout in New Orleans? How do so many people miss out on a tall PG with great court vision?

    • Derek Page

      Just goes to show what can happen if a talented player gets a real shot. Vasquez has been excellent this season, clear choice for me for most improved award.

21. Caitlin

    If the Boston media manages to convince everyone that the Celtic’s are better without Rondo, then Indy should make a major play to acquire his services. Seemingly, Indy could offer Granger and picks for Rondo. In this scenerio, Indy would have a starting line-up next year with Rondo, Hill, George, West, and Hibbert that could contend for a championship and Boston would receive an all-star caliber replacement for Pierce once he retires. Thoughts?

    • Derek Page

      It would have to be this summer, Caitlin, but I don’t see it. Rondo is arguably the best point guard in basketball and, as young as he is, would be the main guy the Celtics would try to rebuild around. Not sold on Danny Granger as enough to make a play for Rondo either – even coming back from major knee surgery.

22. junior

    how is vince carter playing right now?
    i would have like him with memphis to see if he could help them win a championship

    • Derek Page

      Vince Carter has been giving a larger role as the Sixth Man in Dallas this season and has made the most of his opportunity. While I think Carter could be a difference-maker for a myriad of contenders around the NBA, Dallas isn’t willing to pull the trigger on anything less than a “win” deal for them.

      Thanks for the time as always friends. I’m off to cover the GS Warriors and Mavericks at the AAC. If I missed you, get your question in early for next week or shoot me a line on Twitter. Have a good weekend guys and be safe!