NBA Chat With Derek Page 9/15/12

1. Gerardo Ramírez

   Derek, how do you see this year Pacers?. Personally i think than DJ Augustin could bring better things than Collison and Sam Young is an upgrade from Danthay Jones, who’s shot selection were awful last season.

   • Derek Page

     Slowly but surely, the season is creeping upon us NBA fans. Training camps open in a couple of weeks and before you know it, your favorite teams will be on display once again when the regular season starts at the end of October. Quality questions to get to today so let’s do this!

     From what I’ve seen, the Pacers look like they’ll be contenders in the East once again next season. There’s plenty of question marks with both the Celtics and Bulls so it wouldn’t be a stretch to see Indiana finish as the 2nd seed in 2013. Not sure if Augustin is a better player than Collison but each certainly will benefit from a change of scenery.

2. Roger

   Hey, another question for you! Okay who would win a best of seven from these two generation teams? Team #1: PG John Stockton, SG Micheal Jordan, SF Scottie Pippen, PF Charles Barkley, C Hakeem Olajuwan. Team #2: PG Jason Kidd, SG Kobe Bryant, SF Lebron James, PF Tim Duncan, C Shaquille O’neal. Arguably each was the best of their generation at their respected positions. Who would eventually come out on top in you’re mind?

   • Derek Page

     That’s a difficult question to answer. Each of those teams have five Hall of Fame players that could have each been considered the best at their given position at point of their career. Splitting hairs here, I’d have to go with Olajuwan and Jordan’s team simply because they dominated the competition throughout their career. Each could be considered the best defender (inside, outside) of anyone in the group and offensively the Dream Shake and Jordan’s overall offensively repertoire would be unstoppable.

3. Sweet Dee

   The Chicago Bulls are one of the toughest teams to predict the number of wins for next year. Some experts cite the Bulls record minus DRose last year (18-9) and believe they will be able to hold until he returns to get a #3-#5 seed. Others believe since this is the first year in Rose 100 million dollar contract, owners may not want him to return if Chicago is not in contention, meaning Derek may not even comeback next year at all- slotting them much lower in the #7-#10 range. Of these possibilities, which side are you on and why.

   • Derek Page

     I’m more apt to predict that the Bulls falls somewhere in the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff race. Chicago still has enough talent to weather the storm with Rose out and I think they’ll finish somewhere around the 4th seed when the dust in settled.

4. Mac

   The Sacramento Kings clearly have a glut of guards: Isaiah Thomas, Aaron Brooks, Marcus Thornton, Jimmer Fredette, Tyreke Evans. Instead of playing Tyreke out of position, why not a flip him to Toronto for DeMar DeRozan. Kings may “lose” this trade in terms of overall talent, but pieces fit better together. On the other hand, Toronto would accept this trade in a second to pair Evans with Lowry in the backcourt (and have Ross, Fields and Klieza to play SF) Your thoughts.

   • Derek Page

     DeRozen is a guard as well though so you’d be running into the same problem. Inside game in Sacramento is going to be ridiculous for years to come with Cousins and Thomas Robinson and the team overall is going to turn some heads in come years. I think the best Kings team for the future has Evans somewhere in the mix and apart of that. Sacramento just has to find a way to make it work.

5. Dennis

   In the two years Kobe Bryant didn’t have a dominant big man to play with in 2006-2007 + 2007-2008: Shaq, Pau or Bynum the Lakers were a 7th seed both years and bounced by the Phoenix Suns in the 1rst round. This inability to carry a team to victory during these years impacts where I place Kobe on the all-time great list. Players such as Dirk Nowitzki consistently wins 50+ games with Dallas despite a constant turnover of players or Allen Iverson who took Philly to the Finals with only Aaron McKie and Theo Ratliff as his sidekicks. Yet Kobe can’t get do better than a 7th seed or get out of the first round??? Do these years of futility, ballhogging, and inefficiency by Kobe impact your view on how dominant the SG was? Why or why not?

   • Derek Page

     Five championships. It’s difficult to argue with that… Should we discount Magic Johnson for the same reason, because he had Kareem in the post? Larry Bird for having McHale, Johnson and Parish? It’s a slippery slope if you start down that line of questioning.

6. Mac

   If each of these players left their current teams to be “the man” on another team. Which one would be the most successful: Dwayne Wade, Russell Westbrook, or Blake Griffin

   • Derek Page

     Easily Dwyane Wade. He’s already proven capable of being the best player on a championship team.

7. Deven

   Where do you see Dallas in the standings this season, Derek?

   • Derek Page

     Call me optimistic, but it’s difficult for me to see the Mavericks finishing any further than 6th in the West this season. LA Lakers, OKC Thunder and SA Spurs all most likely finish ahead of Dallas but after that there’s a lot of teams with similar strengths and flaws. Dallas is loaded with both talented and hungry players ready to prove they are better than previous seasons would indicate.

8. T.J. Wilson

   Do you see the Pacers possibly re-signing David West once his contract expires after this season? Also, do you think O.J. Mayo and Darren Collison will fit Rick Carlisle’s system and have a breakout year with the Mavs?

   • Derek Page

     West has been the best addition for the Pacers with his hard-nosed play and leadership ability. It would be difficult to see them letting him go if the money is right… In terms of the Mavericks, coach Rick Carlisle is prepared to let Collison run wild and let his speed dictate contests for Dallas. With Mayo, the 25-year old guard showed up a month early to the Mavs and has said repeatedly that he’s putting his game in Carlisle’s hands to mold and help him get better.

9. Wil

   Hi Derek, I am a bit tired of hearing about the OKC model, really, we have had bottom feeder teams that had multiple picks for decades and it was never very successful. The difference is OKC got lucky with Durant, arguably smart with Westbook & Harden, and showed great restraint in not overpaying marginal talent (which really follows the SA model). I would rather hear about teams long-term strategy using what they have available (e.g. Dallas is a good example) vs. teams that seem to have no strategy (e.g. Sacramento). Ok, sorry more of a rant, but my question would be which teams have solid strategies s(even if they may not be panning out) vs. teams that really seem to be dazed and confused?

   • Derek Page

     I think you’re right on with the SA comparison but luck can’t be considered a factor when OKC continuously hits on these players. Time after time, the Thunder/Sonics made the right decision in the draft (granted, not taking Greg Oden was decided for them) and that trend looks to have continued in snatching Perry Jones III late in the first round this year. OKC is going to be very good for a long time.

10. Lakers#1 Fan

    Hi Derek. What are your thought about Cuban’s recent comments regarding D-Will and how the Mav’s are better off without him? Reminds me of the kid who wants that one special gift from Santa and tells all of his friends how he’s going to get that gift. Then X-Mas comes and he doesn’t get it so he tells everyone he really didn’t want it! All of the plastic surgery to his face is starting to effect his brain! LOL

    • Derek Page

      Look, Cuban’s got to sell tickets and sell the idea to the Mavericks fan base that this team is better off now. But you’re right: after pining for a superstar and then not getting one, he’s happy that didn’t happen? It’s even more ridiculous when you consider that the Mavs have set themselves up IN THE SAME position next summer to try to land another big fish.

11. Victor

    Mr. Page, will K-mart end up with the Knicks?

    • Derek Page

      He should. It’s looking more and more like that will be his best option going into next season. The only problem is that Martin may not realize that he’s not a money player anymore. At this point, after what he showed last season with the Clippers, he’s a vet-min guy until he proves otherwise.

12. Tony

    Derek,
    So annoyed that everything seems to fall the lakers way. It would make my day if things went bad and Dwight left the money on the table and went elsewhere next year ( doubt it). Based off fans comments we might as well hand Jim Buss the trophy now and say the 72 win record will fall. With that being said, let’s say the fakers, i mean lakers, stay healthy and click: in your opinion can and will the thunder or heat beat them in a series?

    • Derek Page

      Not likely, Tony. LA is stacked across the board and Steve Nash is going to be the key in making the process of getting on the same page go much smoother for the Lakers. Without Nash’s addition, I think the chance of implosion would be much greater. As it stands, difficult to see another team knocking them off but that’s why they play the games my friend!

13. LA in LA

    Hey Mr.Page, am I wrong or does it seem like Durant is considered 2nd best player now after Lebron? If so, I can’t agree, I’m not sure how he got vaulted over Dwight (arguably best defender and rebounder, very efficient in post despite limited moves. Does shoot poorly, especially from FT.) and CP3 (nothing he does NOT do well. Shoots great, great scorer, defends great, arguable best passer, monster in clutch. Only flaw is injury prone.)
    KD’s a great shooter and great clutch scorer but he’s only an average defender (in stretches can be above average), doesn’t pass better or more than “selfish” Melo.
    I have KD 4th after LBJ, CP3/Dwight.
    Your thoughts?

    • Derek Page

      Interesting points but Durant is so dynamic it’s difficult not to put him near the top. Everybody has their own opinion but from what I’ve seen of Durant, there’s not many players I would take over him with the game on the line.

14. 3s all day

    For the hoop junkie’s who cant wait for the season dont worry its coming fast! Hey derek where do u see dfish fitting right? Is it retirement time for him? And will barbosa and kenyon finally admit that no one wants to pay them more than ver minimum and get a team already?

    • Derek Page

      Fisher should just give it up in terms of playing in the NBA and dive right into coaching. The skills that made him an average NBA PG are long gone but his ability to rally a team and teach his fellow players is still remarkable. Barbosa and K-Mart aren’t getting any more than the vet-minimum. It’s time for both players to face facts.

15. miami Lion

    Doesnt it feel weird that when one great retires another is there to take the torch. But its always one guy .like when jordan retired, there where alot,iverson,rallen, vcarter but kobe took the torch and won rings. If kobe retires,is it really lebron league or will durant be the face of the league? Or is this the reincarnation of bird and magic?( small market vs trendy miami)

    • Derek Page

      That’s an interesting idea and one that both the NBA and many casual fans would like to happen. KD vs LBJ is a strong draw and each team’s up-tempo style is ideal for a great NBA matchup year-to-year. Unfortunately the Lakers are back and likely there to stay so it’s going to be tough for either team to get past LA.

16. cowboy in a HD

    Will there be an interest on shawn marrion? And after the lamar odom trade. Will we ever see cuban making a trade with the lakers again?

    • Derek Page

      Interest? In terms of other teams? Marion has an early termination option on his contract after this season but it’s highly unlikely he exercises it and forfeits over $9 mill. With Cuban, he’s always willing to take a risk in order to try to make the Mavs better. One acquisition blowing up in his face won’t change that.

17. peachy

    Whats your take on svg kissing d12 with the media now and making orlando look bad? But way back april it was a different story.

    • Derek Page

      The Stan Van Gundy and Dwight Howard situation was more a result of horrible management than anything else. The Magic front office made head scratching moves at every turn before finally ridding themselves of the Dwightmare in early August.

18. DonaldTower

    Jared Sullinger: starter, role player, or benchwarmer?

    • Derek Page

      Right now, I’d say Sullinger is a role player. He’ll get a shot, along with Fab Melo, at playing time at both the center and power forward positions this season. He has a lot of skill, it’s time to get healthy and allow Doc Rivers and the excellent Celtics coaching staff to develop that talent.

19. Oliver from Germany

    What is your opinion of the Phoenix Suns? Can they make the playoffs? Which seed would you predict with the current roster plus James Harden? Hope he will be in Phoenix next year. Starting five: Dragic, Harden, Beasley, Scola and Gortat sounds great to me. Nice chats!!!

    • Derek Page

      I just don’t see it. The Suns undoubtedly have a solid frontcourt with Luis Scola and Marcin Gortat but the rest of the roster is much more unproven. Both Wes Johnson and Beasley – especially Johnson – haven’t lived up to expectations early on in their careers and it isn’t exactly a given that they’ll succeed in Phoenix with more playing time. Gordan Dragic was solid last season in a contract year but he is also still a relative unknown in terms of how he’ll respond as a season-long starter this season.

20. andy

    What five teams do you have best ranked at the end of the regular season? Thanx for urban time

    • Derek Page

      In terms of standings:
      LA Lakers
      Miami HEAT
      San Antonio Spurs
      OKC Thunder
      LA Clippers

      Lakers and Thunder in WCF. HEAT and Pacers in ECF. Dream matchup of Lakers-HEAT (Lebron VS Kobe) in Finals with Lakers winning Champ.

21. c

    Do u see a kg or pierce being traded on deadline?

    • Derek Page

      Not likely. Value isn’t real high for either player right now as both are getting older. Best value is for Boston to hold on to both of these guys and hope to be healthy by playoff time.

22. LittleJohnnyThreeStrokes

    Which players should the Hawks look into next summer via free agency? They seem to be a blank late next year with exception to Al Horford and obviously re-signing Teague. Who do you target?

    • Derek Page

      They should number one try to re-sign Josh Smith and then try to lure a player like CP3 to the ATL. Not sure people realize how good of a player Smith is and that needs to be Hawks first priority this summer.

23. Ed

    Why do people (like Dennis above) say that Kobe isn’t as good as Jordan when Kobe and the Lakers struggled after Shaquille left for Miami? I can turn the same argument on it’s head and say that Jordan had an extremely strong supporting cast while he played during his championship years. When he retired the first time, the Bulls won 55 games and were one bad call away from playing in the Eastern Conference finals. Jordan clearly did not carry his team the way revisionists of history like to describe.

    • Derek Page

      Michael Jordan made every single one of his teammates better (See Longley,Luc, Harper, Ron and Kukoc, Toni to name a few). I don’t advocate hating on Bryant but let’s not try to tear down Jordan’s vast array of accomplishments in Bryant’s name. Both are great players, it’s just a matter of individual preference as to who you rate higher. Personally, I’ve never seen a player like Jordan – past or present.

      That’s all for today my friends. Hit me up on Twitter @DPageHOOPSWORLD if I missed you. Have a good weekend.