NBA Chat With Derek Page 9/22/12

1. LA in LA

   Is it true that in 2k13 when you force a lopsided trade instead of saying “Do you want to force a trade” it says “Do you want to Mitch-slap the other team?”

   • Derek Page

     Welcome to the chat NBA fans. We’re knee-deep into another weekend and another chat is upon us so let’s get started.

     Ha. I haven’t played 2K13, obviously it’s not out yet, but let me tell you NBA 2K12 sucked. 2K11 was much better.

2. Trezula

   What do you think of my trades? Which is best? Which are okay? Which would never go down?

   -James Harden for Aaron Afflalo & picks
   -James Harden for Jeremy Lamb & Royce White
   -James Harden for Derrick Williams, Chase Budinger, & Luke Ridnour
   -James Harden for Jared Dudley & Channing Frye
   -James Harden & Kendrick Perkins for Marcin Gortat, Jared Dudley, & Markieff Morris
   -James Harden for Jose Calderon & DeMarr DeRozan

   • Derek Page

     Not a big fan of any of these really. Maybe the Toronto swap for Calderon and DeRozan but in the unlikely event that the Finals-contending Thunder shop one of their best players, they would be able to get more for Harden.

3. steven Chao

   Why is 27-28 considered your physical prime in basketball? Is that just true for our bodies in general? Or is it different for every sport?

   • Derek Page

     I’d say anywhere between 25-30 should be considered a player’s prime. It’s not just the physical aspect though. If that was the case, 19-21-year olds would dominate the sport, but more of the mental aspect. In baseball, a pitcher’s prime is a little older – 29-34 I’d say. Football is mid-20′s… not many players outside of QB’s continue to play at an elite level into their 30′s. Tennis is a young man’s game where generally when you get to your late 20′s you lose a step so it all depends.

4. T.J. Wilson

   What it do Derek!……..Do you think Ramon Sessions made a huge mistake by leaving a championship caliber team like the Lakers (now that they have Howard and Nash) for the Bobcats (a young, working progress team that had the worst record in NBA history this past season)? Also, What’s your opinion on Gerald Henderson?……I saw this guy play in a game on TNT against the Knicks, this guy has some game and potential….Will he have a breakout year this upcoming season? Thank you for your time!!!!!

   • Derek Page

     After a quality close to the regular season, things didn’t work out so well for Sessions in the playoffs with LA. Now in Charlotte he has a chance to start and get more playing time than if he was behind a legend in Nash with the Lakers… In terms of Henderson, I would agree that last season the former Duke star stepped up and that may lead to an even bigger 2013. Hendo has all the skills on both ends of the floor to be an All Star in the NBA.

5. Joe D

   Love the chats.. I love basketball and I am from NY but I do like the Lakers as well. I have to ask.. If Kobe wins another championship this year and matches Michael Jordan with 6.. Does it really count towards his “legacy” or in deciding who is better?

   I am not hating on Kobe but I wonder how you could possibly count this as a legitimate 6th championship when comparing to MJ. I realize championships are the measure but Robert Horry and Dennis Rodman have many rings and no one is confusing them as the best of all time. You could put Kate Upton out there with that group of players and still have a legit shot at winning a ring.

   We do remember Chicago’s legendary stance on being cheap even when they were winning rings. Could you imagine if Chicago spent like the Lakers.. Like I said I am a Knicks fan so there is no love for Chicago but I think it is a valid question since if Kobe wins it will arguably be the 4th ring where he was the 2nd best player on his team.

   • Derek Page

     I think all of the Best Ever stuff is kind of ridiculous. Every generation, the best player of all time changes because most people take the side of the player that played the most during their time. I think MJ is the greatest player ever. My 15-year old nephew likely differs with me on that opinion because he’s watched Kobe dominate since he started watching the game. My grandfather would probably say Wilt Chamberlain was the best player of all time – it’s all subjective and there’s no right answers… just levied facts and statistics to try and make a point.

6. Tony in Naptown

   J.R. Smith reminds me so much of Ricky Davis. Do you agree with this assessment?

   • Derek Page

     Ironically, I think Davis was the better all-around player but also the more selfish. J.R. Smith has the ability to turn a game on it’s head with a barrage of 3′s… but also kill an offense’s momentum with some ill-advised bombs from behind the arc. You have to take the good with the bad but he’s a solid sixth man.

7. Jonathan

   What does Tony Mitchell of North Texas need to develop in his game to ensure he’s a lottery selection in the 2013 draft?

   • Derek Page

     Based on his tools on the basketball court, he should be a lock already if everything goes as planned this season but off-court issues have hindered the guy. Mitchell has all the physical tools and athleticism, especially as an elite defender but his offensive game and shooting touch need some polish. Solid prospect, likely first round pick.

8. Chumpalump

   In his chat, Stephen Botherson agrees how far an individual can carry a subpar team indicates a player’s impact on the game. Citing Drik Nowtizki’s teams who almost always win 50+ games despite a constant turnover of players. I was surprised in the two years Kobe didn’t have a dominant bigman in his supporting cast (Shaq, Bynum, or Gasol) the Lakers were a mere 7th seed and bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the Phoenix Suns both times. Do you agree with Botherson and the ability to carry a subpar team indicates a particular players impact on the game. And are you surprised how poor the Lakers were and how inefficient Kobe was when he didn’t have a big man down low to help out.

   • Derek Page

     To be fair, the Lakers didn’t exactly have an abundance of talent but you do present a valid point about how underrated Nowitzki is. What does the guy have to do to be regarded as one of the best players in basketball, not just Euro… Bottom line on Kobe is that he is a great player. Even the great one’s need a good cast around them to rack up championships.

9. c-dub

   Do you think the Pacers could get Gordon Hayward from Utah if they offered Danny Granger?

   • Derek Page

     Why? Granger has proven to be the best player for Indiana and still hasn’t hit 30… Hayward obviously has more upset but Granger is a proven commodity right now.

10. Aussie pacer

    Do you think Indiana has a chance to come out of the east?

    • Derek Page

      Definitely. The Pacers proved to be a tough out this past postseason and younger players like Hibbert and Paul George getting another year of experience under their belt will only help the team moving forward. Indiana is deep and talented and will likely make a deep playoff run in 2013.

11. Depp John

    Love D12 but growing up watching the end of 80s then 90s then Shaqobe era… I don’t se Dwight being better than Shaq or Hakeem… He’s more like Pat Ewing and David Robinson level, maybe better than Zo. What u thunk?

    • Derek Page

      It’s difficult for me to put Howard in that elite-level center category. Olajuwan, Robinson, Ewing and Shaq were each at least 7-foot and were dominant in a 90′s era of great centers. Howard is the best center of right now, but he would’ve been just another dude going up against this bunch in the 90′s.

12. pegasus

    Are the Los Angeles Lakers too old to compete with younger more athletic teams like the Thunder and Heat? I think Okc’s young horses will tire out the old Lakers in a 7-game series. Thoughts??

    • Derek Page

      That’s a valid point. On paper, it could be argued that OKC possesses just as much talent as the Lakers and won’t have to go through the grinding process of getting on the same page next season. The cohesion that both the HEAT and Thunder have in place already could be a reason to slam the brakes on LA taking home another title in 2013… but I’m thinking Kobe, Dwight, Gasol and Nash would beg to differ.

      Thanks for the time guys. Let’s do this again next week. Have a good weekend!