NBA Chat With Derek Page 3/2/13

1. MATT BO

   What do you think was the bigger mistake by the THUNDER:

   Voiding the deal for Tyson Chandler?

   Or Trading Harden?

   Both are/will be multiple All Stars…but for me, Tyson is exactly what the thunder need. On top of the fact that they would have had at least a year or two with harden and chandler. can you imagine chandler and ibaka playing together? defense as dominant as the thunders offense is now! crazy

   • Derek Page

     Welcome to another edition of my weekly chat NBA fans. Plenty to get to once again so let’s not waste any more time:

     That’s an interesting point about Chandler and something that many NBA enthusiasts have probably forgotten about. You have to remember though, at that time, Chandler wasn’t the hot commodity that he played himself into during the Mavs championship run and subsequent dominant seasons in NY. Hindsight is always 20/20 but it was clear at the time, even though OKC needed to save cap, that losing Harden would hurt. Either way, the Thunder have been dominant without either so we’ll see how it all shakes out.

2. Benny Da Bull

   Derek,
   Thank you for the chats. The Bulls stood pat this trade deadline and will probably have the third or fourth best team in the NBA once DRose returns to form and the court. The Bulls success is predicated by their defensive superiority and chemistry however they are having a really hard time scoring which explains their February slump. The one thing that Miami, OKC, NYK all have in common is either superior 3 point shooting and or more than one ball handler that can get his own shot consistently. The problem that I see is that Thibs loves his defenders and is great at making a subpar defender an above average defender, however there hasn’t been as much offensive development under Thibs. The Bulls are going to go into the offseason with somewhere around 73m on the books and only 8 players on the roster if they don’t retain Rip. So they will most likely fill the holes on the roster with duct tape and bubble gum like they did this season, do to salary cap constraints. With that said I kind of agree with Reggie Rose and his comments regarding the lack of star power currently surrounding DRose in Chicago. Not taking advantage of the pre-draft trade that could have netted the Bulls Klay Thompson and the pick that became Harrison Barnes for Luol, or offering Deng and Rip for Rudy Gay and Tony Allen still leaves the Bulls with one hell of a scorer, some streaky shooters and good defenders. This is not so bad if your ok being the Knicks or Pacers of the 90s however the fans and your star want more than that. I keep reading that they are gearing themselves up for the 2014 Free Agent bonanza however a lot of these players are players that turned their noses up at Chicago in 2010 or are going to be on the steep down side of their careers (Kobe, Dirk). You also hear that the Bulls are banking on Mirotic coming from the Euroleague and taking the NBA by storm, but we all know it’s not that easy, Euro success regularly does not equate NBA stardom. How would you approach the scoring and financial restraints in Chicago? Move Deng or Taj, both? Amnesty Booz if you cannot trade him? To create some cap room to sign a scorer Ellis, Redick? Do we really think the Bobcats pick is that valuable in 2016, potentially the Bobcats could be 7thor 8th seeds in the Eastern Conference playoffs by the time that rolls around, what is the buzz on high school sophomore’s now adays? Also, as Bulls management, do you want to push out championship contention knowing that DRose is on the books till 2017. In good faith a star would expect the team to do everything at its disposal to obtain the pieces to ensure success prior to resigning. Could management be waiting to see which DRose comes back prior to making any big moves? In a similar situation, Shumpert hasn’t been looking that good since his return.
   Thanks for your insight.

   • Derek Page

     Dang Benny you wrote me a novel on here… I think Chicago is in good shape. Using the Amnesty on Boozer seems like the obvious choice but he’s played a lot better this season. It’s important to see how things shake out this season, being that this team looks like it will be a legit contender again with Rose in the fold, before making those tough decisions.

3. Steve

   Derek,

   I’m curious what you think about the “Coach of the Month” award in the NBA?

   Seems kind of meaningless to me when a third or so of the coaches in any given year will be awarded (5 months, 30 coaches).

   • Derek Page

     True. Especially when you consider a couple of those guys have gotten fired soon after receiving that “prestigious” award.

4. kape at pandesal

   I know lbj is the best player in the planet today n even the espn crew saud they cant see a team that can beat miami in a 7 game series. I disagree. If miamibis playing in the west indont even think they will have the best record in the league,maybe top 5 and i dont believe they are automatic to go to the finals if they are in the weat. The heat are lucky theyre playing in the east. I see denver,memphis,clippers ,lakers ,spurs,thunders and maybe utah and golden state beating them in a 7 game series. With me?

   • Derek Page

     The NBA is a superstar-driven league. Teams like Miami generally succeed because they have two for sure, maybe three players that can take over a game at any given time. Look how Miami handled Memphis just the other night with LeBron having his worst game in years… There’s no doubt that there’s more quality competition in the West, and some of those teams you mentioned would be ranked a lot higher if they played a full season in the East, but you have to give Miami it’s due. The HEAT are on the short list of NBA contenders this season.

5. Jim in CyberSpace

   I don’t think D-Fish was a good pick-up for OKC at all. The Man is a liability on D, his leadership and locker room presence can only go so far.

   The problem is Scottie Brooks’ Love affair with him. It’s a tight rotation, and he’s taking minute’s away from the guys that can do something on the court, been with the team all year…He’s not near playing shape… granted, Brook’s only gave him 5 min’s at Denver. He hasn’t “earned” any min’s yet, the way I see it…I don’t know what Sam Presti was thinking on this one?
   I’m an OKC fan, I was happy when he wasn’t retained last year. I like the Brewer addition. Not D Fish… And he said he “deserves” to play with this team… after the way he bailed on Dallas? Kinda like the way he bailed on Utah? I’m sure the greater metroplex folks have noticed…which is another reason why OKC should be moved from the NW Div to the SW Div, I-35 rivalry.

   I don’t know who to trust, D Fish or Billy Hunter?

   I’ll get off my “High-Horse” now.

   • Derek Page

     First and foremost I agree that the Thunder should be moved to the SW Division, not sure why the NBA put them in the Northwest. I also agree with your main point but realize that our views are from the outside looking in. Talking to the Thunder last season, from top to bottom, every player, coach, assistant, ball boy, bus driver, etc raved about how much of an impact Fisher was having on the team and it’s tough to argue with that.

6. Wil

   Derek, an unfortunate set-back for Bynum and the Sixers, but in looking around the league, that team, specifically, is willing to make a max offer to a guy who can’t get on the court?

   • Derek Page

     As I like to remind people, talented 7-footers – especially as talented as Bynum – don’t grow on trees. Someone will take a chance. Remember Roy Hibbert got a max deal this past summer…

7. edva

   Hello,
   1. What do you think about Magic? What is they future? What they will do next year? Still developing team? Will draft more young talents?
   2. Some words about M.Harkless, A.Nicholson, K.O`Quinn- do you like them this season?
   3. I am upset about G.Ayon is traded to Bucks. I see him as a good back-up center, agree? Or T.Harris has more potential?
   4. Was D.Lamb worth for Reddick?
   5. I think this year Magic should pick PG from drafts. What you think Magic will draft this year? Which position?

   • Derek Page

     1. I think there’s a solid foundation there. The key for any rebuilding team is to luck out in the draft and get a superstar. It seems simplistic but higher lotto picks = better chance of getting a Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Anthony Davis, etc.

8. atl 4 life

   Do u see atlanta getting desperate and maybe sign n trading josh smith for pau gasol ? I as an atl fan would wana see al horford playing the 4… Plus pau will only have one more year left in his contract.

   • Derek Page

     I think a sign-and-trade, if Smith wants to leave this summer, is the most likely avenue. Smith will want to go but he’ll also want his money and Atlanta would be wise to try to get at least SOMETHING for the guy if he jets… Pau would be a nice fit for Atlanta as well and he would certainly be expendable with Smith in town. It’s going to be a very interesting offseason, that’s for sure.

9. Jonathan

   RE: Dallas area draft prospect Tony Mitchell…

   Seems to be an under-sized PF who lacks the perimeter skill set for a full-time move to SF. Going into the year, he was thought to be a sure lottery pick, but I feel he’s shown that he lacks the leadership makeup to ever be more than a solid contributor.

   Any thoughts on his fit in the NBA and/or player comparisons?

   • Derek Page

     What I like about Mitchell is that not only is he an incredible athlete but he has a really high motor that propels him to being a pretty good rebounder and excellent defender. Not going to lie to you Jonathan, I haven’t kept up with him as much as I should this year so I haven’t see the leadership issues you speak of but he has all the tools to be a lottery selection.

10. Paul Michie-Derrick

    Robinson is a waste of DNA…. wow…….. so far in a total of 19 minutes Robinson has played over the course of 2 games he has grabbed a total of 3 rebounds…. this dude was suppose to be a monster on the boards. I went to his first game against the Bucks where he seemed lack the ability to do something as simple as roll on the pick and roll. In the game against the Magic he had a play where he got the ball in the post faced up, stared in front of the defender for 4 seconds, then got the ball stripped. Another play where he tried to blow past the dude and dribble between the legs then completly wiffed causing a turnover. I understand development… but not doing something as universally known as the pick and roll…. thats a huge reason for concern in my mind. Patterson was such an important part of our offense and we’ve lost that. What people loved to do against us was trap the pick and roll against harden and lin…..that’s where Patterson being on of the best 2 or 3 shooting big men in the game was sooo important. I like what I see from Dmo… but he can’t be a consistent pick and pop guy this year…… to me…. we became a worse team this year…. and no better in the future… please without looking it up guess what pattersons age is……..
    23…
    I was thinking 26 or 27…. and Ppatt showed post moves.. i think he has more upside then Trob… i mean what does this do for us? Do you see anything from Trob????

    • Derek Page

      It’s WAY too early to start considering Thomas Robinson a bust Paul. Also keep in mind that issues with running plays in Houston stems from being brand new on the team. Robinson is 21 years old and primed to grow with seasoning. Both he and the Rockets will be fine. Important to be patient with the process for a pedigreed player like Robinson who many thought had a chance to go number one overall.

11. Steve

    Derek,
    I saw that Aaron Brooks was headed to Houston.
    But maybe filling in fr Parker in San Antonio makes sense.
    Could the Spurs sign him?

    • Derek Page

      More likely that Brooks heads to Houston considering that was a high choice on his list before signing with Sacramento. Spurs are arguably the deepest team in basketball already and have guys that will step up in Parker’s place.

12. Ron

    Usually rookies that play well before all-star break hits a wall and rookies that didnt play so well shine after allstar break like dion waiters, bradley beal, moe harkless why is that?

    • Derek Page

      There’s many factors that go along with that, as teams generally try to prepare these guys in the offseason for the grueling 82-game schedule ahead. I don’t think there’s a correlation between saving yourself before the All-Star break though. Just different strokes for different folks.

13. Sam

    Derek,
    What do you think of how Celtics have rounded out their roster for the playoff run? Crawford, White, Williams……

    • Derek Page

      I think the Celtics have done a solid job of trying to shore up their roster but this team is not a legit contender without Rajon Rondo.

14. JP

    If you are Mr.Kahn, which would be your plan for next year knowing that you have in hand 3 first round picks & 3 second round picks to either use or as trade bait?

    • Derek Page

      Minnesota certainly has plenty of options heading into the offseason. I can’t help but wonder though how good this team could’ve been this season if the T-Wolves could’ve remained relatively healthy… I’d see what I could get for the picks though. It’s not like Minn is lacking for young talent.

15. BlazerFAN

    Love the chats man!
    Do you think there is still room for Damian LIllard to improve on??
    If you look at Derricks Rose’s game log they played similar minutes and Damian is having a much better rookie season than Rose.

    Do you think Lillard can eventually grow to be a 20+ scorer on a nightly basis??

    • Derek Page

      While Lillard has played extremely well this season I think there’s no doubt that he has room to grow at just 22-years old. In terms of that level of scorer, it really depends on the team around him. Lillard is so dynamic as a player that he’s better at adapting to the cast around him. LaMarcus Aldridge isn’t going anywhere as the team’s best scorer but I could see Lillard averaging around 20, sure.

16. Frank

    Tony Allen to the Bobcats this summer? Would he go if the money was right, and do you think he would be a good fit starting beside Kemba? I personally love this idea.

    Tony Allen, Gerald Henderson (resigning)
    Kemba Walker

    • Derek Page

      Henderson coming off the bench? Why not Hendo at the 3 with Allen and Walker holding down the 1-2 spots? Anyways, Allen is a key team leader in Memphis and I don’t see how they could let him go after trading Rudy Gay already.

17. ravi.b

    What are your thoughts on rudy gay and the Raptors going into the future?

    • Derek Page

      Even though Gay isn’t eligible to hit free agency (player option) until after next season, I believe this summer is key. Toronto should figure out where Gay is leaning and where this franchise wants to go to avoid the drama of his impending free agency looming over the Raptors all next season… having that year guaranteed at nearly $20 million certainly suggests that Gay will re-up but you never know.

18. ross

    i agree with paul. its understandable to struggle based on not knowing plays. but if your in the NBA and you don’t do something that middle schoolers even do in this day and age like not knowing to roll on the pick and roll…. thats a bad sign. Robinson looked like he was allergic to rebounding. And also Thomas Robinson is far from 6’10, the man is 6’9 on a good day. in his NBA combine numbers he did well in jumping and sprinting but if you look at his quickness drill… his numbers are awful.

    • Derek Page

      I can see that point but the guy is a undoubtedly a blue chip talent. I’ll live with those growing pains all day given the promise Robinson shows.

19. paul

    who are your top 3 young up and coming players in the league in order. I got 1) Harden 2) Irving 3) Lillard and george on the bubble. Also, who has the prettiest shot in the nba to you? I like Lillards.

    • Derek Page

      1. Kyrie Irving
      2. Paul George
      3. DeMarcus Cousins

      Ray Allen has to be up there in terms of most visually impressive shots. Doesn’t hurt that it goes in most of the time either.

      Thanks for the time as always my friends. If I missed you, hit me up on Twitter (new handle @DPageNBA) or shoot me an email. Be safe out there this weekend!