NBA Chat With Derek Page 4/28/12

1. Raps4ever

   Hi Derek, I really don’t understand what Bill Ingram and Mark Nugent, see in Harrison Barnes. They think he is a future all-star in the NBA. But I beg to disagree. If Sean May, was very successful at UNC, and won CPOY, was not successful in the NBA, what makes them think Barnes, could be an all-star. He couldn’t even help UNC get into the NCAA finals, considering this was his 3rd year. I just hope the Raptors don’t pick him. I hope they use the pick to acquire a veteran SF instead like a Nicolas Batum.

   • Derek Page

     Welcome to the chat NBA fans. Lots of playoff action today: Rose goes down with a knee injury and HEAT are handling up on the Knicks in the first half. Let’s get started:

     Barnes is projected by many to be a solid player at the next level at least. The Raptors, along with the rest of the NBA, have zero chance of trading for Batum. Portland is set on he and Lamarcus Aldridge as the future of the Blazers.

2. Ron

   Who in your opinion is the best one on one scorer in this upcoming draft?

   • Derek Page

     Damian Lillard was a prolific scorer this past college season and I think his game has a strong possibility of translating on the NBA level.

3. Dave

   The Knicks are overrated. Many analyst are bias of them because they’re from New York (just like how reporters are bias of MJ being the best ever) and they have a large fan base. If anybody expects them to beat, let alone compete against the HEAT in the playoffs are insane! They’d be lucky to win 1 game. If the Knicks were as good as everyone say they’d be higher than the 7th seed. The Knicks are a good team, i’m not taking that away from them, but saying they are “contenders” is absolutely crazy. Look how Miami is dominating them at this very moment!

   • Derek Page

     I would have to agree with that. With Jeremy Lin looking on from the sidelines, NY is what they have been all season – a borderline playoff team in a weak Eastern Conference. You are what your record says you are and the Knicks finished as the seventh best team in the East. Against a team like the HEAT, that looks primed to make another trip to the Finals with the recent news on Derrick Rose, the Knicks look the part of an over-matched team. That being said, it’s still only game one. I expect the Knicks to make it interesting and take one at home.

4. Jim

   spurs look like they will win another title this season. agree/disagree?

   • Derek Page

     San Antonio was great during the regular season for the second consecutive season. Last seasons didn’t work out so well with the Grizzlies knocking the Spurs out in the first round. This season appears to be different, however, as the big 3 in Duncan, Parker and Ginobili have gotten plenty of rest throughout the year and looks rested and ready to go this postseason.

5. markymark

   Do mavs have any shot of repeating as champs?

   • Derek Page

     Not much of one Mr. Wahlberg. They won’t be an easy out though. I expect the series with the Thunder to go the distance with Dirk Nowitzki putting the Mavs on his back once again with another epic playoff series. If they do somehow find a way past OKC, look out. That would equal a Mavericks squad that would be bristling with confidence going into the next series but I honestly don’t see that happening.

6. Don Juan

   Do the HEAT have the supporting cast to really challenge for a title this season?

   • Derek Page

     I think Shane Battier was one of the best offseason acquisitions and his defensive ability, 3-point marksmanship and veteran savvy is going to pay dividends this postseason. That being said, aside from Battier and Haslem, Miami doesn’t have much in terms of reserves. The big 3 is so talented there that it may not matter though. They got to the NBA Finals last season with less.

7. porterhughes

   Do the Bulls have any chance to come out of the east with Rose apparently done for the rest of the year? The supporting cast in Chicago has been superb all year but rose is the engine that drives that team to be legitimate contenders.

   • Derek Page

     That’s going to be difficult if the initial reports are true and the Bulls will indeed by without D Rose for a lengthy amount of time. The Bulls have what it takes to handle the 76ers without Rose but after that it’s going to be difficult sledding. I could see Chicago still making it to the Eastern Conference Finals with the lock down defense they still possess on that team.

8. Dave

   The plan to make Cleveland a future contender offseason plan: (salarys work)
   -Sign Roy Hibbert 4 years 44 mil
   -Draft Beal
   -Bye Bye Gibson
   -Resign Gee, Parker and Kapono for realistic price
   -Sign Lucas and Reggie Evans for a realistic price

   Roster:
   Irving/Beal/Casspi/Thompson/Hibbert

   Varejao/Walton/Gee/Parker/Samuels/Evans/Lucas/Kapono

   • Derek Page

     I doubt the Pacers let Roy Hibbert walk in the next the few years as he’s only continuing to progress as a player and big-time centers aren’t exactly a dime a dozen. The supporting cast looks legit though. Will be important to have a solid center for this team to be a legitimate contender in the future with Kyrie Irving at the point.

9. Tracey

   Who do you see being on top at the end of this season’s playoffs? Think the Mavs have a chance?

   • Derek Page

     I see the Thunder coming out of the West and the HEAT (if the D Rose injury is indeed serious) coming out of the East. Give me the Thunder to win it all. Mavs have slight chance. I’d say 5%.

     Sorry for the technical difficulties today guys. Will try to get it all figured out and we’ll do better next week. Have a good weekend.