NBA Chat With Derek Page 5/19/12

1. Brian

   All Deron Williams wants to do is win he has said. So I really dont see Dallas being his pick. I think Indiana or even Portland is more likely. Pacers can sign Hibbert after D-Will with Bird rights and Portland has a high pick in a really good draft. Thoughts?

   • Derek Page

     Welcome to the chat everyone. Let’s get started!

     You may be right Brian. However, I disagree with the idea that the combo of D-Will and Dirk Nowitzki wouldn’t immediately make the Mavs a contender again – regardless of the bargains that fill out the rest of the roster. Portland’s about to have to pay Batum so they’re likely out of the running and Indiana has their hands full with Hibbert’s impending free agency. It really comes down to Brooklyn and Dallas as the two most likely landing spots for Williams.

2. Mutang

   Hey Derek. Really curious about my Utah Jazz. They exceeded expectations but showed also what they are lacking: PG and shooting. They have some bigs so a trade for PG? I’d like to see them get GS’s draft pick, grab Lilliard and then also sign Steve Nash for couple years to mentor him and also help this team contend. Otherwise, either go get Dragic or Mo Williams.

   • Derek Page

     I cover Utah’s impending offseason in detail here, but your on the right track. Unless Utah believes Devin Harris is the answer, which is highly unlikely, the best bet is to go in a different direction at the position. Signing Steve Nash is highly unlikely unless Nash wanted to take a pay cut to join the Jazz. Dragic is a reasonable option both monetarily and age-wise. A draft pick isn’t guaranteed but Lillard would certainly be a good option in the likely range that Utah could possibly draft in.

3. calvinzero

   Is this kind of trade proposal acceptable?: Dallas Mavericks will try to acquire DH12 in exchange of Haywood, Marion and/or Mahinmi and there will be a third team involved in that trade. (It’s up to you if what team you want to involve if this kind of proposal is acceptable). Thanks, Derek.

   • Derek Page

     This isn’t a likely scenario. Orlando will almost certainly have better options on the table over the summer if they can’t sign Dwight Howard to an extension. Mavericks best shot and getting younger and better is in free agency this summer. That’s how they’ve set themselves up and it’s going to be the best plan of attack for the organization.
     No one wants Brendan Haywood.

4. Aaron

   Hey derek,

   I understand people like Durant because he’s the anti-Lebron or whatever (I personally think he is fake and sugary) but why do people refuse to admit that harden and westbrook may be better than him? both are two way players while durant is one dimensional. as a basketball purist it bothers me to see this guy talked about on the level of a dirk or duncan, when he’s nowhere near as good as them.

   • Derek Page

     Having talked with Durant on multiple occasions I can tell you firsthand that it’s no facade. He’s a genuinely good dude and the reason people enjoy both Durant and Derrick Rose is because they don’t have that air of entitlement hanging over them everywhere they go. They’re just real people and both the fans and media appreciate that.
     Maybe Durant isn’t in Nowitzki’s or Tim Duncan’s league yet but keep in mind he’s only 23 years old. Still plenty of room to grow and he is the leader and centerpiece of the OKC squad.

5. William

   Portland’s starting five being in October? What trades/signings do you see happening this summer?

   • Derek Page

     I believe both Lamarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum are locks but then it gets tricky. Wesley Mathews has a legitimate shot of retaining the starting shooting guard spot, despite a rough 2012 season. Both the center and point guard positions are really up in the air though. The Blazers will have a pretty early pick in the upcoming draft and will look to have some cap room available even after re-signing Batum.

6. Tasia

   Hi Derek!
   If you were the Wizards gm and the lottery balls hated them and gave them their worst possible selection 5th what would you do? Would you try to get a king’s ransom like Utah wanted the Wiz to give them last year or just take Drummond or Barnes? Myself personally would trade down and try to unload Blatche with Houston for #14,#16 and former John Wall teammate Patrick Patterson. I think the amnesty is stupid for a team like the Wizards.

   • Derek Page

     Trading down isn’t the worst idea, especially if the Wizards are still thinking of unloading Andray Blatche. I thought for sure Washington was going to dump him at the deadline but they decide to get rid of JaVale McGee instead. My best bet is that they keep the pick and take an NBA-ready talent.

7. Mac

   After Game 3 of the Thunder/Lakers series, Bill Ingram tweeted “I have the utmost respect for Kobe – truly – but he got the serious Jordan treatment (Wade Finals 06) last night. Extending series, anyone?” Would you agree with this statement and some star treatment took place during this game to extend the series?

   • Derek Page

     Stars get preferential treatment in basketball, it’s simply the name of the game. Five championships and the mantle of being one of the best NBA players of all time buys Bryant the benefit of the doubt on most calls – especially in crunch time. Hate it or love it, it’s the way of the NBA. That’s what happens when you have a rule book based on the ref’s discretion.

8. Frank

   Last year at Connecticut, Andre Drummond shot just 29.5% from the free throw line. How is it possible for guys like Jared Dudley, Ben Wallace, and Andre Drummond to shoot so poorly when they play basketball for the majority of their life? As a teacher I coach the grade 5-6 girls team, and in all honesty, our team average would be close to this percentage? I know we all can’t shoot 80+%, but comon now. Minimum standards have to apply. Is Drummonds poor free throw percentage due to a lack of work ethic or mechanics? And can this be improved with NBA level coaching?

   • Derek Page

     It’s all about practice. Drummond’s form and style at the line will be addressed in the NBA and quickly. It’s all about the player putting in the time and effort to nail down a set pattern and motion. One of your examples, Ben Wallace, was such an excellent defender that both his low post game and free throw percentage weren’t exactly priorities.
     In all fairness, it’s a lot easier to make a free throw in the gym than in front of 20-30k screaming fans and I understand that.

9. daniel

   If portland signs dwill would say on paper we would have home court advantege in the playoffs assuming we keep batum and jj hickson, if not what seed?

   • Derek Page

     With Deron Williams as the starting point guard, Batum on the wing and Aldridge in the post; hard to agree that the Blazers wouldn’t be a top-4 seed – even in the loaded West. Again, not a likely outcome that he signs with Portland though.

10. mr. smith

    Do you think this is a possibility for Dallas next summer as a starting line up….

    D-Will, Eric Gordon, Cj miles Dirk, Kaman then have kidd west mahimi, carter, and wright off the bench. and dallas trades odom for maybe draft picks?

    • Derek Page

      Acquiring both Gordon and Williams is not a realistic possibility for Dallas. Chris Kaman could be had, even if Williams signs and I think Skyline alum CJ Miles could be a possibility on the cheap as well. No chance of getting both Gordon and Williams though. Unlikely Kidd stays as well as the Mavericks will have more pressing needs to spend their mid-level exception on.

11. Juan

    How scary is the new Warriors’ owner? He takes create for getting the Celtics their last championship (he was a minority owner), he just promoted his 23 year old son to assistant GM (who by the way didn’t even play ball in high school or college) and now he shows up at the Nets combine camp to scout second rounders. Signed Starting to Miss Chris Cohan

    • Derek Page

      Joe Lacob is not the most popular person in Oakland, that’s for sure. Especially considering the reports that Warriors ownership may be thinking of moving the team to San Francisco. Hard to argue with the moves the team made this past season though. If David Lee, Bogut and Steph Curry can stay healthy, Golden State is going to be scary next season.

12. Charlie

    JaVale McGee would be my center on the I-think-I’m-a-Better-Offensive-Player-Than-I-Actually-Am Team. With Metta World Peace, Alex Anjinca, John Lucas, and Marco Belinelli rounding out the rest of my roster. Which players would make up Team Page?

    • Derek Page

      That’s an interesting question.
      Center would be Brendan Haywood. Horrible on the offensive end yet takes ill-advised shots on a regular basis. – quality fantasy football player though. Power forward would be Carlos Boozer. Used to be a quality big man but game has fallen off a bit of the last few seasons. Agree on small forward, would have to be the basketball player formerly known as Ron Artest. He used to have a quality offensive game, not anymore. Shooting guard would be Rodrigue Beaubois. He’s still young and can turn it around but he’s a mess on the offensive end right now. Tough to think of a point guard that overvalues his offensive skill all that much so I guess Andre Miller. Once a pretty solid point guard but now just shows flashes.
      Team Page out.

13. Anthony

    What kind of deal would minny be able to offer for kevin Martin?

    • Derek Page

      It would have to be centered around Michael Beasley. Not sure how interested the Rockets would be in that deal though.

14. zeeshan

    do the bulls get one of theses? eric gordon, nick young, chauncey billups, kirk hinirch, or andre miller. which one is the one which is the highes posiibility to da bulls?

    • Derek Page

      Billups would be an excellent fit for the Bulls if he wanted to either come off the bench or start next to Rose. Billups would provide both insurance and veteran leadership that would be invaluable for Chicago. Not sure what he’s expecting monetarily but would have to take less to join Chicago.

15. pablo

    DWill in Portland would be the best thing for him. If he is serious about winning, Portland would be a top 4 seed in the west, as you said above, for the next 5 years. How can the Mavs be ahead of them. Lamarcus and he are friends and there is history there with Matthews in Utah. DWill has said that small market does not matter and with Batum being restricted and his cap hold at only $5m we would be able to offer a max and sign Batum. How can you say that the shell of the mavs plus Dirk or the Nets and DWill would be enter than the Blazers and DWill?

    • Derek Page

      Just because a player has a better opportunity with another team doesn’t necessarily mean they will take it. Your right, Williams may have a better option in Portland but that there are numerous other factors that will dictate where he lands this summer. Look at LBJ and Wade joining together in Miami each (Wade with Chicago and LeBron with Dallas) has better options but chose to play together in South Beach.

      Thanks for the time guys. I appreciate the questions and we’ll have to do this again, same time next week!