NBA Chat With Eric Pincus 8/21/12

Austine

Is dwight leaving the lakers next summer? Any percantage he will leave? Why? Indications that he will stay?

And lastly! When is dwight gonna play? Thank you!

Eric Pincus

Summer – finally quiet in the NBA! Still, we chat.

Austine – Dwight might leave but I don’t think he does. Percentages, no offense, are silly. The indication that he may stay is that the Lakers can pay him more than any other team and he has a huge market to play for – as opposed to the Magic who could pay him most but smaller market and a broken trust.

Dwight may make opening night but it’s not the priority – overall health is – so we wait and see.

Someone with a Bone to Pick

Is there any words on what Rob Hennigan’s next move? Orlando has depth issues now on the PG and C fronts, and they have too many PFs. I just can’t see how he plans to turn 8 PF’s into a PG or C. =.=

Eric Pincus

The plan – as it should be – is to be as awful as they can be this season. It’s for the best – hopefully only one season needed.

Rupe

Eric do you see the Lakers keeping both Blake and Duhon? If not which would the Lakers want to move ideally?

Eric Pincus

Duhon is more movable simply because of contract (only $1.5 mil guaranteed next year) – but I see LA keeping both and having depth – at least for now.

Shaullenny

What do you think houstons roster will be like on opening night, what about their starting line-up, do you think they will waive their non-guaranteed contracts (Fortson,Simpson,Smith, Williams, and s.livingston, do you see them trading k.martin, and players like montejunas, t,jones, r,white, j.lamb, p.patterson, g.forbes, t.douglas, m.morris, j.johnson, j.brockman and c.parsons for a guy like josh smith, or bargnani,etc.

Eric Pincus

Houston may save the bullets, so to speak. I think they’d like to keep Livingston. I’d think guys like Fortson, Williams, Smith, Simpson could get the ax. Maybe a Jon Brockman too instead of Livingston. I could see a small trade but I’m not sure I see a big one before the season. Teams get somewhat set in what they have around now and then reevaluate leading into the trade deadline. I don’t believe Josh Smith is available and I don’t see why the Rockets would want Bargnani based on what they already have.

Kevin

Yes, I agree the Lakers are very deep and the first ten spots are good (Nash, Kobe, MWP, Pau, D12, Blake, Meeks, Ebanks, Jamieson and Hill). But, if you’re this close to putting an extremely dominant team on the court, why stop now when you can still get great role players at the min, that want to win like Jamieson did! Have Nash talk to Barbosa, have Kobe talk to Pietrus. Spend 3 or 4mil more; you’re already at 30mil in tax! Just go all in and win it now! You’ll make Howard happy! You’ll make TWC happy (after giving you $150mil this year)! And you’ll still make more money than any other franchise in the league! No one will be happy if the Lakers don’t win it now (accept Orlando)! And it will be even harder for them to make changes after this season. Why not go for the “Grand Slam” now?

Eric Pincus

I don’t see the reason there. Sign players to play a 48 minute game so they get what, 3 minutes? I don’t see how that helps a team.

dan

Why does james harden qualify for a max deal making 13 million and dwight howard qualifies for almost 20 million?

Eric Pincus

Because Dwight has been in the league longer – max is based on years of service.

david

hi eric, are you surprised Derek Fisher is not signed yet? Who would you have as your back up point guard fisher or steve blake?

Eric Pincus

I expect Fisher to end up at some point on a playoff team but not the Lakers.

ken

great work… do you feel the lakers will cut anyone on the roster?? do you think ebanks will get starting sf position really feel mwp will be good off the bench??

Eric Pincus

I would say the only Laker under contract “likely” to be cut is Andrew Goudelock but that decision hasn’t been made just yet. The Laker coaching staff doesn’t feel Peace functions as well off the bench.

kenny

Do you think the lakers will sign both of there draft picks think that they can help somewhat down the road…

Eric Pincus

I would expect Sacre and Johnson-Odom in camp, possibly fighting for one spot with Goudelock. In theory the Lakers can go to 15 and keep two.

Javier C. Garcia

okay Eric
If you cut waived or released Andrew Goudelock, who would you pick up? Terrence Williams, Martell Webster, Josh Howard or Mikael Pietrus sorry if I spelled his name wrong. Assuming if all would be willing to take the vet min.?

Eric Pincus

Looking at my last answer, I’m really thinking 14 players (at most 15) and the draft picks as more likely than an outside free agent. Pietrus isn’t coming for the minimum – neither is Howard.

Jay

E.P.

2 unrelated questions. I think you touched on it briefly but can you flesh out the Princeton offense. I am very happy that the Lakeshow will be running it this year as oppossed to that “slop,” from last year. A good motion offense with back picks and double screens can take apart any defensive set.

2nd is the Kings still moving down here to Anaheim?

Eric Pincus

I don’t believe the Kings or any team will move to Anaheim. Such a move would cut into the Laker deal enough that I think the NBA will block it – overall loss of income = bad.

In a chat format I can’t really get into Princeton in detail – but go ahead and search the net – there are plenty of instructional videos on it.

Jesse from Palmdale

Eric,

What have you heard from the Lakers medical staff concerning Dwight Howard’s back? In your estimation will Dwight be able to get in shape, learn a new system, and form a chemistry with the others if he misses a 1/3 of the season as some media outlets have suggested?

Eric Pincus

I’ve heard that initially the team was scared off a bit by the back. They were able to do some very basic investigation without breaking any rules to gain enough confidence to continue the pursuit. As the deal neared completion they were able to see the full report and it didn’t stop the train. I’ve heard he’s been working out for a couple of weeks now – slowly – but making progress. I’m thinking either opening night or within a month of that. There’s no way to know – but long-term it’s not really important to the Lakers. They need him at full strength for the second half and playoffs.

????

trade gasol to david lee or bogut or zack randolf or josh smith pick one that possible to happen or all of thiis trade is stupid

Eric Pincus

I hear that, for now, Lakers aren’t moving Gasol.

Kevin

Eric, I don’t understand the people that are saying the Lakers aren’t the favorites in the West! If I remember correctly, the Lakers had just finished a 7 game series w/ Denver and got blown out by a rested OKC in the 1st game. And the next 3 games were decided by less than 3 points. And now the Lakers add: Nash, Howard, Jamieson and Meeks! And the last time I check, Kobe was still demanding double teams! I don’t understand how people think, can you help me w/ that, PLEASE?

Eric Pincus

Thunder are pretty good too, no? Everyone has an opinion. Not sure it’s worth getting worked up over either way.

Kevin

I would think Howard should be back no later than Christmas, provided he stays on track and is permitted to start jagging in the next month or so, and continues to progress. Lakers can easily go 23-4 until Howard comes back, from their schedule. At that point, who’s going to stop this team from scoring! The only games they lose are the ones that four starting have a bad night! Whatever problems they might have defensively, this is the best offensive team in the NBA! My question is how many points will the Lakers avg per game? Will any other team avg more?

Eric Pincus

I’m not sure points per game is the number to watch but point differential. How many more points do the Lakers – or any team – score than their opponents.

MannyVPangilinan

what is the cost of whole sacramento kings if i’ll buy

Eric Pincus

I’m not sure if the Maloof family is selling but if you came up with say $350 mil – then they’d probably start the conversation. That’s a guess – they may want over $400 mil or more.

adobo nation

Dumars is saying he wants a pg or a sg to balanc his roster. He is open for a trade. Jimmer maybe a good idea for the pistons?

Eric Pincus

I’m not sure Jimmer is an impact NBA player yet – so if it’s not costly and winning now isn’t as crucial – sure. Don’t know the price though from Kings.

Jp co

Hi Eric, with the Lakers roster as it is. Looks like the only area of weakness of the team is wing defender who can stretch the floor. Apparently OKC, SPURS, and HEAT have plenty of them. Big concern? Or not? Your thoughts. Thanks

Eric Pincus

We’ll see how significant an issue that is – Meeks can shoot but can he defend well enough? Peace can defend can he shoot well enough? Ebanks can kind of do both (not necessarily from three) but hasn’t consistently.

Gustavo A Thomas

If some ego problem happen between Kobe and D Howard right now, can you see Kobe getting his own medicine. Remember Shaq was traded before because he was older than Kobe, but now Kobe is the older guy between him and D Howard. What you think? Thanks.

Eric Pincus

I’m not really concerned much about that sort of thing. It’s certainly not keeping my up at nights in August.

Alan Siegel

i understand why kobe would be happy with a structured offense, but doesn’t that mitigate some the value that nash will bring to the table. he successfully created through his own understanding of basketball a functioning successful offense in phoenix. why get one of the most successful floor generals in nba history and handcuff him to a system? we have 4 really great basketball IQs on the floor, i’m not sure i understand why we need to have them learn a new system? this is a two year experiment. why waste a year seeing if a “system” at all works. why not let these (instinctively great) guys play the game. and i understand maybe they’d run it half the time…it still seems counterproductive.

Eric Pincus

Running a motion offense doesn’t mean the Lakers don’t maximize Nash. Remember, Jason Kidd ran the same offense to the NBA Finals on consecutive years while racking up assists at a very high rate.

chico

Hey Eric,
Is Kobe going to do the same procedure on his knee in Germany this year? If not, does that mean that the first time he did it was the maximum benefit that he could have gotten from it?

Eric Pincus

Kobe already had the procedure this summer.

Mike

Looking ahead to 2014-15 when the repeater penalty kicks in, what kind of team might the Lakers choose to field around presumably a resigned Howard and Nash? Do you expect the Lakers will bank on a buyers’ market in the preceding off season as teams around the league are forced to shed talent?

Eric Pincus

The big question will be what happens with Kobe. Does he retire? The summer of 2014 has a long list of top-flight free agents. That’s forever away from now but the Lakers may look very different in a couple of years.

calvin bailey

Why is it that general managers, coaches, league personel and sports commentators get mad at players like Dwight Howard and other free agents who exercise their free agency when this free agency rule is a rule that the players didn’t create. Free agency is a rule that the powers that be created. Don’t you believe angry people should be blasting the powers that created the rules & not the players who have been given freedom to wait & explore options that make them happy.

Eric Pincus

Do fans get upset? Let’s not forget that general managers, coaches, league personnel and sports commentators are also fans underneath it all – in most cases.

luka

in 2013 draft where do you see dario sarić get elected?

Eric Pincus

I’m not really a draft guy until I need to be! Which usually means I start doing my research in May. I do watch some March Madness to get a feel for what’s coming but it’s not my expertise here at HOOPSWORLD. He’s thought to be a first-round talent but beyond that I can’t guess this early on Saric.

Paul

I think Lebron, Melo, and Dwight ruined the sport a little bit. People are already predicting Rose leaving five years from now, not only is this ridiculous because of the time frame but because every Chicago fan knows Derrick would never leave his town even if he had the Bobcats supporting cast. My question is what do you think about people who are predicting what will happen in five years?

Eric Pincus

I don’t think the sport is ruined even a little bit. Was the golden age in the 80s when there were what, six teams of consequence? The Bulls dominated the 90s. It’s just basketball – it fluctuates. Some markets are at a disadvantage – some aren’t (Spurs, Thunder, etc.).

DMoney

Hey Eric, first time long time. When I look at the Lakers I don’t see a path to a title. If they played the Thunder and won it will be so taxing they won’t have nothing left against Miami. I’m told getting Blatche would be a bad idea and Barbosa wouldn’t make a difference nor does management won’t to drop another cent. Laker fans are high on Hill, Jamieon & Meeks, yet I don’t think they have enough or have a real good chance without adding something. But if Blatche & Barbosa aren’t an option do you really think this team is good enough to really make a run?

Eric Pincus

How important is it to have a bunch of players on the team who don’t actually play on the floor? Is there room at guard for more than Nash/Kobe/Meeks/Blake/Duhon? And don’t say Barbosa is better than Duhon/Blake because he’s not a point guard and more importantly the Lakers have already invested in two players (not to mention Morris). With Howard/Gasol/Jamison/Hill – there are minutes for a guy like Blatche? It’s just a bit of over-thinking if you ask me. I don’t see the reason to have anyone else other than min guys like Sacre/DJO.

Scott

When is the 1st day of training camp? Can’t wait!

Eric Pincus

Around the start of October – possibly a little earlier for teams going overseas for preseason.

Jay R

Mr. LA writer,

Assuming complete health of both teams I’m thinking of, who finishes second and third in the Pacific? Playoff aspirations for both?

Eric Pincus

I have Lakers and then Clippers in Pacific – both in playoffs. I have Lakers as top-three minimum. I have Clippers as top-five minimum.

Randy

Taking what has happened this summer, how do you compare Mitch Kupchak to Jerry West as GM? Is this a more better offseason that 96? Has Kupchak done a better job than West did?

Eric Pincus

Kupchak doesn’t have much history by way of the draft or free agency but he’s had tremendous success with trades – to the extent that he’s exceeded West on that end. Let’s see if this group gets another ring – a two-time rebuild/reload is pretty impressive during Bryant’s tenure.

Scott

Can you put on your Nostradamus hat who tell me who makes the last roster spot?

Eric Pincus

I’ll go flat out guess and say Lakers start with 15 – Sacre and DJO – with Goudelock cut. I also see both Sacre and DJO as non-guarantees who have until January to make the team for the rest of the season. From there, it’s a matter of injuries – and if they show enough in practice to stick for the year.

Tommy

Hey Eric! Just curious when do you expect the Clipper’s to announce a GM hire? Always enjoy the chats.

Eric Pincus

No rush. I’m thinking at some point the job might just become Gary Sacks.

Steve

We have been hearing a lot of pros and cons of the princeton offense and how Howard and Nash will factor in. Do you think the Lakers will tweak it to accommodate and better compliment what Howard and Nash like to do offensively?

Eric Pincus

I’m curious to see in general how Mike Brown manages this group because this team looks like a roster just waiting for Phil Jackson. I’d be surprised if LA goes back to Phil – but I can argue they should. Perhaps Princeton is a compromise to that end. We’ll see. Remember – as I noted earlier – motion offenses don’t have to take away from a ball-dominant point guard. It just depends upon implementation.

Scott

Are the Lakers better off as currently constructed (Nash, Dwight, etc.) or would we have been better if the CP3 trade wasn’t vetoed?

Eric Pincus

Lakers are better with Nash/Pau/Dwight than they’d have been with say CP3/Bynum/Michael Beasley.

Eric in Long Beach

Hey Eric, I saw some of your updatd salary postings about the Lakers payroll. The latest CBA was designed to make big market teams think twice about heavy spending but so far it hasn’t changed much (Nets, Lakers) although the Rockets used the new rules to get (and probably overpay) Lin and Asik. Do you think this willingness to spend will continue once the repeater tax kicks in? What do you see happening to the Lakers if they Need to cut salary? Seems like Kobe or Pau (or both) would have to go…

Eric Pincus

Actually the Rockets didn’t use a new rule – it’s an old rule we just haven’t seen implemented like that before. The new rules of the CBA haven’t really kicked in fully anyway. By the time the repeater tax kicks in – Lakers have just Nash under contract – so we’re just not at that chapter in the book yet.

Jordan

Eric!I’m the guy who sits behind your friends at Clipper games! Do you remember me??

Anyways, I wanted to get your thoughts on Travis Leslie.. any chance he stays with the team? I really think he can benefit learning with this group. Your thoughts?

Eric Pincus

I haven’t seen enough from Leslie – and I’m not sure there are any minutes for him this season either – so I hear you.

Leo

Part of the Lakers’ problems has always been that teams collapse into the paint and “dare” our outside shooters to make them pay. Even though Nash (and maybe Meeks) helps with their shooting, I’m betting that teams will still do this. Is there any way around this, or are we just forced to take and make our outside shots?

Eric Pincus

There’s no way to stop a team from packing the paint – to a small extent ball-reversals can help a little – but ultimately it comes down to outside shots to change the game – and Nash is the ideal point on that end. Meeks and Jamison help spread the floor as well. Lakers should have a different feel this year.

Matthew 'EL CAMPEON' Crawford

thanks again Eric…I will always be grateful for your hardwork here…that said got a question(s) for you regarding the defensive capabilities of the Clippers and lakers.

1) Im concerned with the Lakers defense from their bigs until D12 is healthy. Gasol, Hill…?? then what? Do you think Sacre is brought on at least till Dwight is playing to help that hole?

2) Is it just me or do the Clippers still have defensive issues? Deandre isnt a good one-on-one defender, Blake is still inept defensively, and Jamal Crawford defends what again? Yes, they added grant Hill, but I just still cant seem them stopping OKC, LAL or the spurs…do you agree the Clippers defensively are still sorely lacking?

Eric Pincus

I see the Lakers as a stronger defensive team than the Clippers. LAC will be fine defensively but they’ll need to rely on their offense more. I would think Lakers can get away with droughts more than Clippers – although Nash/Jamison/Meeks aren’t exactly stoppers – far from it.

mark from san juan capistrano

Any way the Lakes could have gotten R. Allen? Why didn’t they?

Eric Pincus

Allen wanted to go to the HEAT.

lakerbob

With the new cba rules, the lakers have to look at payroll aswell as their future. Love Pau and what he offers but with his pay are the lakers just going to ride this season out and then look to move him? Are they still considering Smith with ATL?

Eric Pincus

Lakers may take on one year of insane tax to get what they can out of the Kobe era. Smith can’t be dealt to the Lakers after the trade deadline and as it stands now – neither LA nor Atlanta are thinking about dealing those two.

Lee

Hi Eric, enjoy your work and your tweets! Can you see the Lakers keeping Ron Artest and/or Steve Blake beyond next year, even if they win a title? As they can still be amnestied right?

Eric Pincus

Lakers can amnesty one if they want – depends on how much they’re worth on the floor vs. tax burden.

nba2nba77

do you think if the clipper obtain Darko Milicic he will actually live up to the expectations or give good results.can he defend/slow Dh12 ???? great job Mr.Pincus btw

Eric Pincus

There’s been a rumor based on a foreign report but I’m skeptical that Darko comes for the minimum. I haven’t done any asking as I saw the report right when the chat started – but I’ll poke around.

MATT BO

7 game series…Lakers/Heat….who you got? Can anyone stop the size/defense of D12/Gasol and the scoring ability of nash/kobe?

Eric Pincus

A great series – right now the HEAT are proven and they’ve improved – but the Lakers on paper are right there.

Cesar

what is the logic behind saying kobe is not as great as he was 3-4 years ago? do people forget the guy this past season had 4 straight 40+ pts games? something he hadnt done since 07 and that when the lakers were eliminated he still scored more than 40? is it just that lebron won the ring or what? i dont get it.

Eric Pincus

Even Kobe says he doesn’t have the athleticism he had a few years back. It’s not a big slight, he’s still among the best in the league.

Jmizzle

Can a team in the east upset Miami and reach the finals?

Eric Pincus

Certainly possible, especially with health an equalizer. I have Boston as second in the East. I’m curious to see how the rest of the pack performs.

timo

Hallo eric from Germany. What do you think about the rookie mo harkless.

Eric Pincus

I think he’s an intriguing prospect. I look forward to seeing what he can do at the NBA level.

David

There is talk that Lebron can possibly guard Dwight Howard. Do you agree? What about Jordan Hill guarding small forwards like LeBron and Durant?

Eric Pincus

I’m not sold LeBron can guard Howard straight up but Hill can’t guard those kind of players.

Lee

Hi Eric, have you seen Devin Ebanks this off-season? What role do you see him playing this upcoming season? He looks like he isnt afraid to guard Durant. Thank you!

Eric Pincus

Ebanks improved last year over his rookie season but I didn’t see consistent effort. Some games he’d help but 3-4 would go by where I just didn’t see much impact. That one game vs. Thunder he was great vs. Durant but I didn’t see enough fire after that. Hopefully for him, it will all come together this coming season.

Kobe Bryant

I’m glad ppl don’t look at us as favorites and have OKC and the Heat ahead of us. That gives us more motivation to come out practice harder, put in work and makes us hungrier. As long as I let guys get going and cut down from 23 shots per game to 17 18 we will b just fine. Agreed? Also I would love to have Pietrus on our team. Any chance Mitch tries to get a double here? Thanks Eric. Your the man!

Eric Pincus

Let’s be honest – the Lakers aren’t going to work harder because of a perception from the media that they’re not the top team.

brandon s

So jordan hill is the back up center and antawn is the back up sf. Whos the back up for pau? Any word on Kenyon maybe?

Eric Pincus

Jamison is a four.

Geoff

Do you have the Lakers ahead of the Thunder?

Eric Pincus

Slightly.

Chocolate Thunder

What are the chances that OKC pays for Harden and keep Durant, Westbook, Perkins, and Ibaka?

If not, who’s the odd-man out?

Eric Pincus

Short-term – I think OK City keeps them all. In 2-3 years, probably Perkins.

Bolo

What is Philadelphia’s projected starting line-up and where do you see them finishing in the East?

I would imagine its Bynum, T Young, Wright, Evans, Holiday?

Eric Pincus

Either Wright or Nick Young – depends if they play Evan at two or three. I’m thinking you’re probably on target. As far as where in the East? Top-eight – maybe top-five. There are a lot of unknowns in the East (NY, Brooklyn, etc.).

Phil

Would anyone take Blake off of the Lakers hands for an expiring deal? How about Bell from Utah? He is going to cost $17 million next year (4 in salary and 13(3.25*4) in tax), right?

Eric Pincus

The Jazz have a ton of point guard and are looking to maximize cap room for next summer. I don’t see a team rushing to pick up Blake.

Antonio

I expect my Houston Rockets to Fail very bad this year what players are on their draft boards for 2013 lol

Eric Pincus

I don’t have Rockets in the top-eight – or even near it – in the West. Watch some college hoops this year – especially UCLA.

David

Its without question that Rob Hennigan didn’t get anywhere close to even 50% on the dollar for Coward (sorry I’m a Magic Fan & still can’t say his name) and tons has been made about whether it was a good trade bad trade etc for the Magic. The only value in the trade I can see is the trade exception that came with the deal (picks will be crap shot & players Magic got are at best not even middle of the road. What Ideas have you heard or would make sense to use that & package Turk, JJ and/or Big Baby to shed more salary and get more picks. That has to be the “hidden Value” in this trade right? RIGHT?? Please Be right…..

Eric Pincus

The Magic got prospects, picks, dumped salary and got a large trade exception. They achieved their goals but expect a down year as they rebuild. I don’t think they did that badly given the circumstances. I also don’t see that trade exception used on a name player – instead as a means to add more prospects, picks, etc.

Julian

Eric, give me your top three centers in the league. I’m assuming Bynum and Howard are top two, but who comes in at number three. Also, in the next 3 years do you see any of the current centers passing either Dwight or Bynum and moving into the top two? Perhaps cousins? Thanks

Eric Pincus

It’s a drop-off – Marc Gasol, Hibbert, Bogut when healthy – B Lopez when healthy, Noah, Chandler, Cousins, etc.

David

Eric ~ Easy for you to say the Sport isn’t ruined. You cover the Lakers and they seem to always come out on the Best end of any trade, time and time again. The Lakers traded for Gasol, Nash & Coward for basically a hand full of picks & Gasol’s brother…The NBA should save the lives of the fans in the “dis-advantage” markets and just go to 6 ” Superteams” and be done with it….

Eric Pincus

I cover all 30 teams and I’m trying to understand the true change that’s happened recently? How is the NBA different than it was 10-20-30 years ago?

Thor

Do you think Blake Griffin will come back as explosive as he was last year he just came off a knee surgery and am kinda worried, He really relys on his explosiveness.

Eric Pincus

He did the last time but yes, some concern.

Nigel

How in the WORLD are the Lakers affording these players? Gasol, Howard and Kobe make a combined 60-plus million. Wasnt the lockout about “tightening” up the cap and preventing these “superteams?”

Eric Pincus

The rules from the lockout/new CBA aren’t in place yet. After this season, there’s no S&T for Nash for the Lakers as a tax team. The rest of the league benefits financially from how much LA is spending. This is a short-term thing for the Lakers – before the graduated and repeater taxes. Part of the reason why the Lakers went for it as they did was to get what they needed before the rules limited them even more. I would argue superteams have been the backbone of the NBA for decades – on different scales. There’s usually about 4-6 teams in true contention. About half are somewhere between playoffs and bubble. A good 6-10 are just not very good. The numbers fluctuate but as long as I’ve watched the NBA, that’s been the case. Some teams just ride out high to high longer – Lakers specifically.

Dwight Howard

Media have practically been camping outside my house for the past year to get stories about me, why is no one reporting that I’ve been working out and playing basketball at UCLA & 360 Health Club the past two weeks?

Eric Pincus

This will have to do for the week. Thanks again for a great turn-out. I’ve reported that Dwight has been working out for about two weeks but light workouts – some lifting, minimal running. I can’t speak for the rest of the media.

Let’s do it again next week!