NBA Chat With Derek Page 5/5/12

1. calvinzero

   What can you say about the first round performance of the Dallas Mavericks? Sadly to say that this might be a first time in the NBA History that a defending champ was swept by the opponent in only first round of playoffs. Please correct me if I’m wrong.

   • Derek Page

     Welcome to the chat NBA fans. Let’s do this!

     Game Three was certainly disappointing, especially considering Dallas had both Game One and Game Two in hand before the Thunder turned the tide at the end of each game. However, this is still a 7th seed taking on a number two seed – the end result of OKC taking this series had to be expected. To your second question, the last team I can remember getting swept in the first round after a championship was the Miami HEAT in 06-07. The reigning champs got swept by the Chicago Bulls that year.

2. Mark ryan

   When healthy is Eric Gordon more talented and a better players than James Harden?

   Gordon seems like the complete package offensively and shoots the ball a little better than Harden gets to the rim better while harden is a better play maker and maybe all around.

   • Derek Page

     Possibly but when is Gordon ever healthy? It’s going to be interesting to see what kind of offers he gets as a restricted free agent this offseason. As of right now, I’d take the 22-year old Harden all day every day over Gordon.

3. Jacob R.

   Will Kevin Durrant lead the league in scoring for at least the next 3 years?
   I don’t know anybody who will stop him from doing so.

   Who are some young up and coming players who could challenge Durrant for the scoring title in the next few years?

   • Derek Page

     You might be right. Durant is an excellent scorer and people tend to forget he’s still just 23-years old with room to improve his game. In terms of his challengers, Kevin Love obviously would see to be in the mix. Derrick Rose is a proven scorer for the Bulls and Lamarcus Aldridge in Portland is nearly unstoppable in the post.

4. Jake allen

   Will John Wall or Kyrie Irving ever be as good as Derrick Rose or Russel Westbrook why or why not?

   I can honestly see Both Irving and Wall passing Westbrook in a few years.

   • Derek Page

     In different ways. Irving has proved right out of the gate that he has the chops to be in the mix as an elite point guard. John Wall has all the tools but hasn’t put it all together quite yet. I believe Irving, even though he’s younger, reaches the upper echelon before Wall.

5. Bill Wallace

   Which point guard would you rather draft and who has the highest Potential of these 4 and WHY?

   Damian Lillard, Tony Wroten, Kemba Walker or Brandon Knight.

   • Derek Page

     I’d draft Damian Lillard, dude has a ton of upside. In terms of who I would just take out of those four, it would be Walker. Proven winner in college and has all the tools to be a legit point guard in the NBA. Going to be difficult treading in Charlotte though if they can’t put some better pieces around him.

6. Aaron

   If your the kings and Either Marcus Thorton, Tyreke Evans or Isiah Thomas HAVE to come off the bench who would it be any WHY?

   • Derek Page

     That’s a difficult question. I’d bring Evans of the bench as the Sixth Man and show him highlights of Jason Terry, O.J. Mayo and James Harden wrecking shop on opposing defenses. Quality teams have someone who can bring some punch of the bench and shoulder the scoring load for the second team and I think Evans would fit in that role nicely.

7. CJ

   There seems to be a merky line between what exactly the most improved player award should be. Some pundits claiming it to be a player who has upped their contribution to a said team, while others are saying that it should be awarded to the player who literally improved from one season to the next. I agree with the latter, in that it should go to a player who may have added facets to his game to further compliment his team. Any thoughts?

   • Derek Page

     I agree. Give it to the player that has improved his game leaps and bounds. I think Ryan Anderson had a break out season and was the deserving choice.

8. Ron

   Is there any truth to Tyrke Evans being available this summer?

   • Derek Page

     With both Thomas and Thornton stepping up at the guard positions, Evans is a player playing out of position at small forward. If Sacramento can get good value for Evans, I could see him moving in the offseason.

9. Charlie

   Kevin Durant dropped 15 points in the first quarter of the Dallas game to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. Do performances like these prove the naysayers wrong? And how far does a 23 year old Durant have to take the Thunder this year to silence his critics (after taking them to the Conference Finals last year)?

   • Derek Page

     That’s what happens when a team takes such huge strides like the Thunder have the past few seasons. Expectations both within the team, around the city and nationally have grown to the point where it’s a disappointment if this team doesn’t go all the way this season. The good news is the Thunder have all the tools to challenge for a title this season and Durant is a huge part of that.

10. Deven

    Do you think the Mavs will get swept tonight? What’s next for the organization? Deron Williams I’m assuming, right?

    • Derek Page

      It’s hard to argue that they wont. This team appeared to give up at the end of Thursday nights game and were thoroughly embarrassed in the teams first playoff game at home since the NBA Finals last season. Dallas hasn’t been swept out of the postseason in as long as I can remember but that could change tonight. What’s next is a major overhaul of this roster and the hope is that Williams will be apart of that. Even if he isn’t, this team is going to look vastly different at the start of next season.

11. Saulo

    Who’s the best SG this year? Beal reminds me of Foye, Terrence Ross reminds me of DeRozan or Wes Johnson.. Austin RIvers reminds me a little of mayo (but worse shooter).. I’m hoping the wolves get Ross cuz he seems to be the best shooter.. what to do you think?

    • Derek Page

      I’m a fan of Bradley’s Beal’s game the most. He’s the most highly touted of that bunch and I see his game translating well on the NBA level.

12. jpoppa

    Ayy Derek Page! You cover Mavericks basketball. The Mavericks really need to change their roster for next season. Who do you think the Mavericks are trying to get the most in free agency? I know there trying to get D-Will, but there are lots of key free agents this season with lots of talent. In my opinion a back court like D-Will and Eric Gordon would be sick to watch.

    • Derek Page

      That would be an excellent back court but the Mavs aren’t going to have the cheddar to get both Williams and Gordon. Realistically, Dallas has a chance to get a Williams or Goran Dragic. Then it’s possible they could lure a center like Chris Kaman, who is good friends with Dirk Nowitzki, to Dallas for the mid-level exception. Kaman likely could get more on the open market but he could decide to take less to join his friend in Dallas. Mavs aren’t going to have a lot of money to throw around if they sign Williams to a max contract so their whole offseason literally hinges on Deron coming to Dallas.

13. PeteyBrian

    Is the state of the Golden State Warriors strong – with the healthy return of Andrew Bogut, Stephen Curry, and David Lee? Coupled with Klay Thompson, Brandon Rush (FA), Dorell Wright, Charles Jenkins, and Richard Jefferson – Would you say, low playoff seed next season?

    • Derek Page

      I like the Warriors chances of being much more competitive next season, sure. Going to be very difficult to compete for a playoff spot in the loaded Western Conference though. On paper, Golden State looks stout but staying healthy will be key.

14. TMac

    How far can the boston realistically advance this postseason?

    • Derek Page

      That’s an interesting question. The Celtics key foursome has the been through all the battles and knows how to win together in the postseason. Father time is catching up and, while I thought this team had a legit shot of taking Miami to the limit this postseason earlier this season, the C’s tired legs are beginning to show. That being said, I still think Boston has the best shot of any Eastern Conference team at giving the HEAT a run for their money.

15. bono

    how easy is Miami’s road to the Finals with no D Rose in Chicago?

    • Derek Page

      Piece. Of. Cake. There’s no other team in the Eastern Conference with a legitimate shot at dethroning the defending conference champs. Boston or Indiana would put up a fight, but neither has the firepower to beat the HEAT in a 7-game series.

16. Eric123

    with the emergence of g. hill for the pacers, collisson seems to be the third guard off the bench behind barbosa.what are your thoughts on this?

    • Derek Page

      George Hill is bigger and the better defender but Darren Collison is much better offensively. Your right though, Collison’s minutes have dwindled this series with Hill getting the majority of burn. Not something that I would do but Indiana is winning so whatever works.

      That’s all for today as it’s time for me to start heading out to Game Four between the Mavs and Thunder. Get your brooms ready. Thanks for joining me everyone. Follow me @DPageHOOPSWORLD and let’s do this again, same time next week.