NBA Chat With Eric Pincus 8/16/11
Welcome to NBA Chat with HOOPSWORLD Senior Writer Eric Pincus. I’ve got all the questions I can handle. Thanks for participating!
Eric covers the L.A. Lakers, Clippers and NBA at large.
Since Matt Barnes had that incident with him punching another person, do you think the NBA will punish him when the NBA is back?
Eric Pincus:
Lockout persists – chat as well:
John,
It looks like we’re in a vague "no punishment" period during the lockout. Will the league try to go and punish players after the fact once everything is resolved?
Maybe, but if so it’d be for arrests, any drug issues and the like – not throwing a punch at some summer hoops get-together.
Jason, is it possible for NBA players to re-negotiate contracts? Ex. If New York wanted to free up space for say CP3 Or D12, would A’mare and Melo be able to renegotiate their contracts to bring in more talent?
Eric Pincus:
Actually I’m Eric. And in the NBA, under the current rules . . . no.
Except the current rules don’t exist so if they wanted to work that into the new deal, anything frankly is possible if both sides agree on it.
If the Clippers could land CP3 do you think they become the favorites to land D12?CP3,D12,Griffin oh my
Eric Pincus:
That feels like a stretch. You can argue that if they properly manage their cap room, it’s technically possible but I’m thinking that’s probably not going to happen.
A big question in the new deal is the sign and trade – it may go away complete and if so that changes where Howard and Paul may end up.
Would you be willing to have a whole season missed to have the craziness of 2012 free agency? as a raps fan, I would.lol
Eric Pincus:
Nope.
Last week you said you were ‘not exceptionally high on Jeff Green.’ What are the specific reasons you aren’t sold on him as a player.
Eric Pincus:
He’s good but not great. I see him as an above-average but not lockdown defender. He’s a jump shooter who isn’t consistent enough and doesn’t like to create contact on the drive.
He’s got some Boris Diaw in him – good and useful but not all the time.
Isn’t Roy essentially done being an impact player? Articles like the one you published earlier today give the impression that he can regain his All-Star form.
Eric Pincus:
I don’t think you can assume he’s done as a franchise-type player. The extended time off with the lockout may give him even more time to get stronger. Roy can play but I’m just not sure he can play 82-games a year. We’ll have to wait and see and hope for the best for him. The NBA is better with Roy at full strength.
Will Bynum and Artest be punished/ suspended for their actions in the latter parts of the Mavs series?
Eric Pincus:
Bynum will miss the first five games of the upcoming season.
will there be an NBA season, or maybe only half?
Eric Pincus:
If I had to guess the outcome, I’d say a 50-game schedule similar to what we saw in 1999.
Hey Eric, Love the chats, what are the chances Dfish comes off the bench this year and Walton never sees the floor again? Am I crazy for wanting Sasha back?
Eric Pincus:
If there’s another amnesty clause, Walton may get cut. Fisher starts in my view. Yes, you’re crazy for wanting Vujacic back. You’re forgetting that he did nothing for almost entire career with the Lakers save what a year and a half?
We’re weak at the 1. Have you heard of anything Mitch is doing to strengthen the position? Is Derek considering being a Laker coach?
Eric Pincus:
Mitch – like every other GM – is essentially doing nothing right now when it comes to player movement and improving their rosters. Remember, there’s a lockout right now.
I expect LA to start the season with the three point guards they have in Fisher, Steve Blake and Darius Morris.
Right now, Fisher isn’t being considered for coach because he’s still a player with a couple of years left on his deal.
do you think my LAKERS will have darious morris become there pointguard of the futer, or maybe trade for someone else like, cp3 or ellis?
Eric Pincus:
Morris is a nice young prospect but he needs to prove first that he belongs in the NBA before we anoint him point guard of the future (or futer).
The Lakers will look for opportunities to add players like Paul, Deron Williams and Monta Ellis . . . but as always, it depends on the price and the willingness of external parties to play ball.
The girlfriend and I watched How To Lose A Guys in 10 Days last night and I noticed it featured the Kings and Knicks in the Finals (Bibby, Divac, Ewing, Sprewell). But that never happened, did it? Why would they swap the Spurs for the Kings?
Eric Pincus:
I didn’t see the movie but in fictional settings like that, the true reality is rarely important.
I was wondering.. why do so many nba players use blackberrys?? have u ever asked why not get new technology?? just curious..
Eric Pincus:
I’ve seen players with iPhones and Droids too . . .
Any shot we could see Warren/Kaman for Darko/Beas or Wes Johnson? Darko would be an ideal 3rd big and Wes or Beas should start at sf. Minny could use Kaman’s post scoring and toughness. Willie might develop into a good 6th man…
Eric Pincus:
The Clippers have no interest in Beasley. The Wolves aren’t moving Johnson at this point or any time soon. I don’t see much there . . .
Explain the rationale of training agents to be general managers. Isn’t that like hiring criminal defense lawyers to be prison wardens? I know they might help get free agents but the drawback is your team is headed by a snake oil salesman.
Eric Pincus:
Not all agents are unscrupulous but let’s not forget that part of acting as a GM involves misdirection. A team isn’t going to hire an agent because they want to lure his players (in most cases) but because he’s well-connected and capable of the job.
Any thoughts on a Clipper lineup with the following: PG Williams SG Gordon SF Griffin PF Kaman C Jordan Let’s put the best athletes on he floor.
Eric Pincus:
I don’t like it. Griffin needs to play closer to the basket. Why take away his strength? Too much bulk typically makes a team vulnerable to quickness defensively.
Hey Eric, glad to see your hitting the courts hard this summer. If the Lakers don’t make it far this year, what is the chance they blow up the team and make another dominant team for years to come.
Eric Pincus:
The Lakers have some options coming up with Bynum and Odom, so changes are possible depending on the direction the team takes on the court. At some point the post-Kobe era will need to begin but when is that necessary? How many years left does he have as one of the best players in the league?
I have a feeling that eric gordon might want to leave the clippers.. what are your thoughts.. what impression have u got from talking to eric gordon??
Eric Pincus:
Gordon will be a restricted free agent and as such, assuming the rules are similar, he’ll end up staying in LA beyond his current contract.
When it comes to his third deal, we’ll have to wait and see. From what I can tell he likes being a Clipper but almost all players are open to hear what’s out there when they hit free agency.
Do u agree that MIA should try dumping Bosh and Miller for a young PG/PF (1. Steph Curry, 2. Marcus Cousins, 3. Kevin Love) and then with the money saved, wade/bron go recruit a top center (1. Gasol 2. Nene 3. Chandler)?
Eric Pincus:
I don’t see how the HEAT have the ability to go after a player like Gasol/Nene/Chandler via the moves you suggest. I don’t think anyone in the league wants to touch Mike Miller’s contract right now.
Bosh makes a ton but it’d be a surprise if the HEAT were able to just dump him without bring much salary back.
Lose Bosh for a small like Curry, I don’t see how they do that an open up the cap room to get a replacement big.
I don’t believe Love is available right now.
You can argue the Kings could do an uneven trade of Bosh for Cousins that changes Miami’s economics a bit but why do they want to invest that highly in Bosh when they’re still going through the rebuilding process?
No meeting scheduled for CBA? Don’t the players know that the longer they wait, the worse deal that they’ll get?
Eric Pincus: There’s no reason to meet right now – none. Neither side will make any progress until the NLRB makes a ruling on the players’ claim the owners aren’t barganing in good faith.
Hey Eric, who says no to this deal: Steve Nash and Channing Frye to Miami for Chris Bosh and Eddie House? Who/what would have to be thrown in to make them agree?
Eric Pincus: I know the Suns were asking for the world for Nash. Do they want Bosh while giving up Frye too? I’m not sure they do. I suppose it’s a matter of preference. I’m not sure either team goes there but equally I can’t say they absolutely don’t without talking to them.
Hey Eric. How big are the chances for the Mavericks to repeat? With a resigned Chandler and a healthy Caron Butler, I see them even stronger than last year and above all other teams in the West (even the rising Thunder). What do you think?
Eric Pincus:
If there’s a season – if they’re healthy and retain Chandler/Butler – the Mavs have a real shot to repeat.
It won’t be easy though. The window is short for Dallas given their age, if they don’t get it again soon . . . it may not come back during the Dirk era.
Reports vary on whether players have adequately prepared for the lockout financially. Do you think the players can endure a season long work stoppage? If not, won’t the owners just go for broke and try to completely crush the union?
Eric Pincus:
Simply put, if you’re betting on the guy with millions or the guy with billions in a stand-off – I’m thinking you’ll go with the billionaire. The players need some sort of outside force to gain leverage – be it through the NLRB or decertification.
Straight up they brought a butter knife to a gunfight.
Don’t get me wrong, I love(ed) watching Roy play, but this is a degenerative knee injury we are talking about. CP3 can still be a great player despite the knee issues, but Roy seems like he will just be a role player/financial burden.
Eric Pincus:
Maybe but a lot of players have "degenerative knee injuries" including Kobe, Paul and others. Roy’s is more severe but that doesn’t mean it’s over for him.
so many raptors quest’s on every chat…and they wonder why players don’t want to play there…doesn’t seem like anythings going on there
Eric Pincus: The Raptors have a big fan base and are one of the teams hanging in there financially. I wouldn’t throw bias that way . . .
Do you think the Lakers will make a mojor move after the lockout, and if so wat are the posible players you think we would go after?
Eric Pincus:
I don’t. There will be some minor moves to flesh out the roster (including a backup big) but if and when the lockout ends . . . I see a free agent frenzy and a rush to training camp. I’m not sure LA will have the time needed to make a move. Certainly something might come up but Mitch Kupchak tends to be patient and that post-lockout period may not be conducive to that.
We’ll see. From what I understand, LA doesn’t believe they need major changes at this point anyway . . .
Any chance the hornets can turn David west into a S&T threeway that would land them Anthony Randolph? And if the warriors had the chance to swap cp3 for steph curry and fillers, should thy go for it?
Eric Pincus:
The Warriors need an impact big man, not another small guard.
I don’t know exactly why they’d want to replace West with Randolph but I really think there’s a reasonable probability the sign and trade becomes extinct.
What do you think would be the ideal starting line-up for the heat saying they don’t get a center thru FA ? I’d put LBJ at the 1 since he’s a great passer, how bout that ?
Eric Pincus:
I wouldn’t. I’d want James in a position to score the ball first and foremost. Defensively you don’t want him chasing point guards. His passing will still be there from the three.
I’d argue that a smaller lineup with say Mario Chalmers, Dwyane Wade, LBJ, Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem would be the one to go with . . . assuming Chalmers re-signs and the team doesn’t get anyone better in free agency, etc.
Assuming the league gets it together at some point and they play a shortened season, do you think it helps or hurts the Clippers chances of getting in the playoffs.
Eric Pincus:
You can argue that the shorter season changes up the equation . . . so it could favor the Clippers. But then it could just as easily hurt them. I don’t think it’s clear one way or the other.
I do see the Clippers as a team on the rise. If they can stay healthy and add on a small forward, they should be able to compete for a low playoff berth regardless of length of season.
Hi Eric, my question is why do we label guys who don’t do what we want as ‘troubled’. I have no problems with rules and consequences, but rather than label guys (Artest, Rodman, Moss), why not just accept who they are?
Eric Pincus: I don’t remember writing that Artest, Rodman or Moss was "troubled." I think you’re generalizing here.
Lockout is killing me, feel bad for the kids that miss out on the summer league. I go to Vegas every year, love the storys like Jeremy Lin. Was looking forward to seeing Lakers Morris and Goudelock in action. Can Goudelock be Vujacic 2.0?
Eric Pincus:
I did miss the summer leagues this year but that was expected. Hopefully there won’t be any games lost but I really do expect some sort of shortened season I’m afraid.
Goudelock can shoot. The question is – can he defend well enough to stay on the floor? Can he get that shot to drop against NBA competition?
Vujacic had one really good year and a few other stretches but otherwise floundered. I’m not sure you want to call Goudelock Vujacic 2.0.
what are the two clipper draft picks doing right now so that they can compete for a roster spot this season?
Eric Pincus:
I’m not sure what they’re doing this exact moment. The Clippers have every intention of having both on their roster next season.
Do you see a young rising player like Curry, Evans or Jennings going to the Lakers when they become a free agent in a few years?
Eric Pincus:
I really think we need the framework first. The new CBA, once written, could mean a hard or harder cap. It may raise or lower the cap. The sign and trade may go away.
Once that’s locked in – we can examine the rules, look at the existing salaries and start to chart the possibilities.
Of course LA is going to try to bring in the best talent they can at any given moment. We’ll have to wait and see what that means down the road.
Sounds like pups may have a coach this week. Knowing we probably won’t get Adleman (and I really want him). who do we get? Bickerstaf, Nelson, Mitchell or Woodson?
Eric Pincus:
I’m not sure who ends up the guy but if it were up to me, it’d be Nelson . . . just on entertainment value alone.
If Brown leaves the Lakers in free agency. Who do you expect them to go after? A young athletic guy who can shoot and play D right?
Eric Pincus:
This will have to do for the week! As always, if I missed your question you can find me at epincus@hoopsworld.com, on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/EricPincus or just wait until next week’s chat.
Eddy,
The Lakers have two young prospects joining up that they hope can help (Morris and Goudelock) but it’s difficult to count on a rookie.
Brown would mean a loss of athleticism for a team that’s getting older and slower. LA could use one more backcourt veteran.
The question becomes budget. I don’t see the Lakers putting a lot of money down here.
Some names that could interest them via free agency (possibly in their price range): Delonte West, Willie Green, Rasual Butler, Anthony Parker, Tracy McGrady, Tayshaun Prince (a stretch), Mike Dunleavy, Shane Battier, Michael Redd, Kelenna Azubuike, Roger Mason Jr., Josh Howard and/or Grant Hill.
I expect J.J. Barea will get paid more than LA is willing or able to offer. I’d be surprised to see a J.R. Smith or Jason Richardson.
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