NBA Chat With Derek Page 5/12/12

1. Maurice

   What do the Bucks need to address this offseason?

   • Derek Page

     Welcome to the chat NBA fans. Plenty to get to today so let’s get started.

     Brandon Jennings development will be huge moving forward but I believe, especially in a weak Eastern Conference, that the Bucks have the possibility of being a legit playoff team next season. Ersan Ilyasova will be a free agent this summer and he’s shown that he could be a big part of this team but Ilyasova may command more on the open market than the Bucks are willing to spend. The center position is also an area Milwaukee needs to address with no real answer currently on the roster.

2. calvinzero

   What will be the next move for the Mavs after they are eliminated in the playoffs over the Thunder? If there is a fresher news, can you inform me? Please. Thanks, Derek.

   • Derek Page

     The first move should be to re-sign head coach Rick Carlisle. I really don’t understand why Mark Cuban is dragging his feet on this, especially considering his remarks stating that Carlisle was one of the three best coaches in the NBA right now. The Mavs’ coaching situation needs to be addressed quickly because the draft and free agency are right around the corner.

3. Sweet Dee

   Live on telecast, commentator Mike Fratello (former NBA head coach) knew immediately that free throws should have been awarded at the end of the Boston – Atlanta game. Yet 3 NBA referees who huddled up after the play to discuss didn’t think so. Nor was the replay checked to determine the correct call. In your opinion, suspicious or not suspicious?

   • Derek Page

     Suspicious. But this isn’t the first time the NBA has been the subject of scrutiny of questionable officiating that seemingly benefits what could be considered a “league approved” team. Just go back and watch the 2005-2006 NBA Finals.

4. Maurice

   Should the Bucks trade Brandon Jennings or MOnta Ellis this summer

   • Derek Page

     Presumably they keep both. Unless you can find a deal that blows you away on Ellis I don’t see that trade as absolutely necessary. It’s not like Ellis has the value to bring back something that vaults the Bucks to championship contention. Could be a better idea to see how Ellis and Brandon Jennings gel together after a full training camp.

5. Deven

   Hi Derek. Sorry about the Mavs be swept in the first round. Anyway, what series would you perfer: LAC-SAS OR Memphis-SAS?

   • Derek Page

     Entertainment-wise I would want to see the Clippers and Spurs. In terms of just a great matchup with plenty of storylines and a chance of an upset I’d go with the Grizz and SA. So, overall, I prefer Memphis and San Antonio going head to head in the semi-finals and I think that’s whats going to happen as well.

6. Deven

   Do you really think that the Lakers will make major changes, like firing Mike Brown, trading Bynum and/or Gasol, if they lose Game 7 tonight?

   • Derek Page

     Would be difficult to comprehend LA firing Brown after just one season. Bynum will almost assuredly stay but I think Gasol will be on the block. He’s not helping his value much though with the egg he laid in Game Six.

7. Deven

   Derek, if the Celtics lose the series to the 76ers, is it time to break up the core and start the re-building process? I’ve been waiting a long time for that team to break it up since they lost in 2010 NBA Finals. As I’m typing this, you can probably tell I’m a Celtics hater.

   • Derek Page

     I think the core gets broken up anyways. This isn’t 2002; these guys are getting old. 2012 is this iteration of the Celtics final shot at a title. Realistically the only team standing in the way of reaching the Finals again is the Miami HEAT and Boston has played the well this season. Will be an interesting ECF, that’s for sure.

8. Big Kev

   What do you think the Dallas Mavericks should do to improve their team this offseason? Aside from the possibility of Deron Williams coming to town.

   • Derek Page

     Everything hinges on signing Williams. If he re-signs in Brooklyn, that means trouble for Dallas. Reuniting Steve Nash with Dirk Nowitzki would be nice and Goran Dragic played well this season (both are options), neither is the big fish Williams is. Whether Mavs sign Williams or not, Chris Kaman at the center position will be on the Mavericks’ radar.

9. Smash Mouth Diggity

   What improvements do you see the Heat making to their roster this offseason?

   • Derek Page

     Because of the big three, free agency is going to be a process of trying to acquire valuable veterans willing to come to South Beach on the cheap. Unless we see some significant trades in the offseason, this team is going to be largely the same.

10. massey

    What free agents can the Celtics go after this off season assuming they keep kg and allen

    • Derek Page

      I highly doubt they keep both. Even if Boston were to miraculously win an NBA Championship, those two players KG (36 at the start of next season) and Allen (37 in July) aren’t likely to be apart of this teams plans.

11. Joe

    Whats up derek? Everyone knows the heat are lacking at the center position. This years draft features some decent big men who do u think the heat are after with our first round pick and which would fit in best?

    • Derek Page

      Our most recent mock draft has the HEAT taking Andrew Nicholson but he’s a bit undersized. If Fab Melo somehow drops to the end of the 1st round, the HEAT would seemingly have a no-brainer there.

12. Mikel

    Is there any chance Phoenix looks to move Gortat if Nash leaves? He could probably fetch some nice picks/young players, and It opens up minutes for Lopez, who they appparently like enough to match offers for.

    • Derek Page

      I doubt it. He’s still a relatively young player at 28 and Gortat could be what the Suns brass features to try and sell tickets next season. If Nash bolts, good luck with that!

13. Mikel

    Is a Dwight-to-Brooklyn trade really that likely? Unless the Nets get a top 3 pick, they don’t have anything to offer. If all you have to beat is an injured Brook Lopez, won’t there be plenty of teams willing to risk a one-year rental?

    • Derek Page

      I don’t see it either, Mikel. Would be a difficult scenario for the Nets to pull that off. Teams will be lining up to take on Howard as a one-year rental, it’s going to be up to the Magic to pull the trigger and make the right decision. Get the right package in return for the best center in basketball is going to be paramount. That’s easier said than done.

14. Boston 4

    I heard a rumour that Nic Batum wouldn’t mind going to San Antonio. Do you think that would help or hinder their team?

    • Derek Page

      I don’t see how it would hinder them. An infusion of young talent is just what SA needs. That being said, I highly doubt Portland lets him go. The Blazers have put all their chips on the core of Lamarcus Aldridge and Batum.

15. Hurricane Game

    now that we see what has happened with the bulls(that the team has no true #2 option, etc) will the bulls finally consider a boozer+deng for gasol+artest swap?

    lets face it, deng is overated, only shot 40% from the field this season and has shown what everyone knew all along, he is not a #2 on a championship team, but a nice #3 option

    pau gasol has been playing the role of a #3 for the lakers all year long, and boozer fits the same mold and matches well with bynum on the offensive end as all he does is shoot jumpers, which gives bynum great space.

    is it time for this trade to finally happen? the bulls have butler and brewer to replace deng at the 3, i think its time this deal happens

    thoughts?

    • Derek Page

      Did you see Pau Gasol in Game Six against the Nuggets? I disagree with your statement that Deng is overrated as well. When a team is built around one player as much as Chicago is, it makes it extremely difficult to bounce back when that player (Derrick Rose) goes down. Not to mention they lost Noah for spurts as well. Deng is an All-Star caliber player.

16. Frank

    Ed Davis for Eric Bledsoe, or how about Amir Johnson for Jordan Farmar/Johan Petro

    • Derek Page

      There’s no way the Raptors go for either one of those deals. Not a possibility.

      That’s all for today my friends. Thanks for all the questions. Hit me up on Twitter @DPageHoopsworld and join me again next week – same time, same place.