NBA Chat With Eric Pincus 9/13/11

Anthony Pascua

Hey Eric,
I saw your article regarding the Lakers needing a point guard. Is the option of keeping Lamar and running him at the point anything to consider? Maybe the Lakers can utilize Lamar him as a big point guard like the Bulls did with Ron Harper?

Eric Pincus

Lamar is really a hybrid power forward/point guard in the triangle offense. I don’t know how that translates into what Mike Brown wants to run. Ultimately Odom is not the long-term answer at the point. He may end up a short-term fix in stretches but nothing more.

Rico

With the latest developments regarding the “progress” with the CBA negotiations are you feeling more optimistic that the regular season will start on time?

Eric Pincus

Not really. The owners gave some signs they might move off their position but they haven’t yet. The players are willing to give back a greater percentage if they can avoid the hard cap and the like. So far it’s nothing but waiting. Same as before!

Mark

Eric,

What moves do you see the Warriors making once the lockout ends? Will they try and trade Monta and/or Biedrins and can they finally get the center they’ve needed for the last two decades?

Eric Pincus

Good question. I’ll tackle that later in the week. Look for it on Friday.

Mark

Eric,

What moves do you see the Warriors making once the lockout ends? Will they try to trade Monta and/or Biedrins and can they finally get the center they’ve needed for the last two decades?

Eric Pincus

Not so easy to do. Will the Warriors have enough firepower if they move Monta? Like I said, I’ll go into depth on Friday.

Ali

As frustrating as it is being asked repetitive questions from other chats or how much fans attack writers/columnist on hw .you guys keep a low profile and answer questions with little to no sarcasm..i applaud you guys for that, but my question is..does it come with the job, or are you guys calling us names behind the screen but responding back professionally?lol

Eric Pincus

Ha thanks. I don’t mind the questions and no, I’m not calling anyone any names :0

mike

landry fields for omir asik?

Eric Pincus

I don’t know if Asik is ready for that big of a role in NY. Can Fields do enough with the ball as a play-maker? Last check, the Bulls were hesitant to move Asik. I don’t know if that’s changed yet. It’s not the worst proposal I’ve heard.

Maurice

Will the Bucks be a better team next season whenever it starts and will this be coach skiles last season in milwaukee

Eric Pincus

I see Skiles sticking around. It’s the players that need to come and go to give him something to work with. Milwaukee is still a middling Eastern team in my view.

Maurice

Who should start at PF Gooden, Sanders or Ilyasova

Eric Pincus

Probably Ilyasova

Brendan

I know there is more too it than rings but do you think Derick Fisher has a shot at getting to the HOF? He has been a starter and leader on two very different lakers sides that have won 5 championships and very active off the court.

Eric Pincus

I’m doubtful Fisher makes the basketball HOF. I’d vote for Robert Horry though if it were my choice.

Kyle

Hey Eric, if LAC gets Danny Granger, IND gets Josh Smith, and ATL gets Chris Kaman, who wins and who loses?

Eric Pincus

I don’t see any of that going down but the Clippers would be the winner there.

rubs93

2 pros 2 cons for M.Redd as the Bulls starting SG next season

Eric Pincus

Cons = ball-handling/play-making/health. I would argue a combo guard is the priority over a shooter – but ideally the Bulls need both. Derrick Rose needs someone else who can do something with the ball when teams send multiple defenders at him. Pros would be his outside shot and experience.

pocket rockets

Which of these veterans do you think has more game left in them?

Arenas, TMAC, or Vice?

Eric Pincus

Toss-up.

laker4lifem

Eric, what’s the Status of the NBA barganing agreement? Now that Football had there week opener, I can’t wait to see my Lakers in action!

Eric Pincus

The owners want a hard cap and a bigger piece of the pie. The players will give more pie but no hard cap. At some that’s what will happen but the question is how much pie?

Trevor

What is your take on Orlando and is there anyway someone can justify why Otis Smith still has a job? I mean he gave duhon 4/16 deal why? And looks like he will have ended up trading $3mil, Carter, Pietrus, Gortat, 1st for the former shell of Turkoglu and his albatross contract… Oh and adding Arenas for an additional year at 20mil for Rashard which will most likely cost us the best center on the planet. How is he still employed again? And unless Hibachi returns we are screwed am I insane saying this?

Eric Pincus

You’re not insane in saying the Magic have kind of been running in place the last couple of years. I wouldn’t throw Smith under the bus. He’s been searching for the right combination to put around Howard and clearly hasn’t found it. It’s still a team that doesn’t have the right ingredients and Howard may end up leaving but we need to see the new CBA. Smith still has a window, it’s just narrowing quickly.

hil316

Hi Eric, what it the likelyhood of Kaman playing for the Clippers for the upcoming season. It seem Chris is the odd man out.

Eric Pincus

The odds of Chris starting the season with the team is medium-high. Lasting past the trade deadline is iffy.

Joseph

Is it possible for Kobe to have the PRP procedure he had done on his knee done to his fingers? Both joints are arthritic.

Eric Pincus

I would say we’re talking about very different issues. I believe Kobe’s fingers have more arthritic symptoms while the knee just needs more healing, more cartilage growth, etc. I’ve never heard of PRP in the digits but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

Steve

Now that the Wolves have announced
Rick Adelman as their coach that aone has to severly damage the value of Clippers #1 2012 pick. The fact that Adelman is coaching and the Wolves don’t have a lottery pick to protect should get them to somewhere close to 34 wins and the #8 to #10 pick. What are your thoughts?

Eric Pincus

The Wolves still have a lot of talent issues to work out. Having a strong coach should improve their chances and potentially diminish the Wolves pick but that remains to be seen.

Kurt

Sacramento has no financing plan for a new arena. Any thoughts on how the CBA negotiations are affecting the new arena, or the Maloofs possible move?

Eric Pincus

Well a favorable CBA with increased revenue sharing may help balance the books in Sacramento. The Maloofs want to leave but it seems the league wants them to stay. If Mayor Johnson can come up with the right financing plan/building, the Kings may end up staying pat for a long time. It’s a curiosity naturally but given the Lakers’ television deal with Time Warner might take a hit if the Kings move to Anaheim, the window is open right now for Sacramento.

jj

Should the Lakers look to pick up grant hill and allen iverson

Eric Pincus

Grant Hill would help although there’s really no room for him with Artest, Barnes and Kobe who all play small forward. Iverson? Nah.

Joseph

You looked at Phoenix moving on from Steve Nash. Are the Lakers looking into the future for a Kobe replacement. He still has two three years of top tier performance in him but I think it’s time to consider life without Kobe. You thoughts.

Eric Pincus

The Lakers are mindful of the post-Kobe era but they have 3 years invested saying he’ll still be Kobe in that stretch. It becomes more of an issue as Bryant heads into the final year on his deal – like Nash at this moment in time.

chris

Do the coaching staff/fo personel get paid during the lockout, or does that vary team to team, like lakers vs. clippers?

Eric Pincus

Coaches under contract get paid.

Joe

What do u think the Clipps do this off season? What players would u like to see them get?

Eric Pincus

Re-sign DeAndre Jordan and probably a couple of free agents to fill in before the team makes a midseason trade. The Clippers may not get the kind of opportunities they want but a Kaman deal is possible at some point.

Joe

Would u trade Kaman and Aminu for Iggy? I think Iggy would be a good fit cuz he would take pressure off of EG(defense) and Mo(ball handling). Mo excelled in Cle wit LB handling the ball.

Eric Pincus

I would but I don’t think the Sixers are willing.

justin

Paul Millsap for Oj Mayo, Sam Young, Darrell Arthur?

Eric Pincus

Not bad actually for the Jazz – probably a little too much going out on the Memphis side. I mean, if they have Randolph and Gasol then is it so important to get Millsap at the price of two solid guards and one of the more underrated reserve power forwards? I’d pass if I’m the Grizzlies.

Leon

Laker line up of Gibson/Kobe/Iggy/Pau/Drew. Similar to Cavs in the sense that there is a point forward and Gibson is utilized as spot up shooter, only way better with the big 3 also in the mix. Does that get it done?

Eric Pincus

So not only do they get Daniel Gibson, they get Andre Iguodala? Good luck there.

Paul

What teams do you see Odom being traded to? I think he would be a good fit in Indy. Pacers could actually absorb him and send 2nd rd picks to Memphis with Mayo going to L.A.

Eric Pincus

I suppose although I hear the Pacers like David West.

devonte wilson

the owners and the players are having meetings on thursday but not as a group what will they evaluate in those meetings on where they are now, whats the problem and whats to happen in the weeks to come?

Eric Pincus

Wait for the NLRB. Wait for the owners to come off their position . . . and/or wait for the players to give a bigger percentage back.

devonte wilson

assuming your covering the impact basketball league, what players that you havent seen play much impressed you and what did iman shumpert do out there that impressed you?

Eric Pincus

I’ll be out in Vegas later in the week to give it a look. Ask me again next week!

Jose

Does Olshey feel a sense of urgency to utilize the cap space created in order to justify the Baron trade. Weather it be in a unbalanced trade or free agent signing.

Eric Pincus

The Baron trade has nothing to do with anything. The Clippers feel the Baron trade was a major, major win for them. The Clippers and Olshey want to make the Clippers a playoff team this coming season (if it happens) and a force should it all come together. The hard part is finding the right trade partner and/or free agent to make that happen.

devonte wilson

during the season, if the knicks came out and said they are looking at nolan smith or andrew goudelock to trade for how would they be able to get them or is it even possible?

Eric Pincus

Trades are always possible it just depends on what team is willing to offer. It’s pretty abstract right now during the lockout and it’s not like Smith or Goudelock have proven yet that they’re NBA caliber, let alone trade-targets for the Knicks.

Phil

Random thought: Griffin, Gordan, Williams, DJ would be great in the triangle offense.

Eric Pincus

Good luck getting Phil Jackson to run it. He’s never been afraid to take potshots at Donald Sterling. I suppose anything is possible but I don’t see it. The modern triangle hasn’t worked without Phil in the coaching chair. I suppose it will just have to stay theoretical.

Efren23

Is this true read on cbssportsline. By Ken Berger if lockout is for the whole year the draft by default goes from team with worst record picking first instead of lottery in that case that would be Minnesota but their pick belongs to clippers.??? who would you select for the clippers with their current roster saying also that all the players in NCAA declare for 2012 draft

Eric Pincus

The rules for the 2012 – if a season is lost – would be determined in the new CBA. There’s no “default” anything yet because the rules are based on the CBA – which doesn’t really exist anymore.

Dwayne

Hey Eric,

Am I wrong to assume Billy Hunter is the wrong guy for these negotiations? Everything sounded all good a week ago while D-Fish was in control. Honestly is the man sabotaging things?

Eric Pincus

When did control shift hands? I don’t perceive it that way even a little bit. Until we have conclusion, who is to say who is the right man for the job? Hunter may be playing it perfectly for all we know.

tony

The owners just made me furious. come on no concession at all! I understand it is early but this is ridiculous. Is there even a chance of a season? Because I don’t see the players accepting this deal ever!

Eric Pincus

My question – why would the owners cave from their position now? There’s still no true deadline that they’re up against. Give it a little more time. I’m not confident the season starts on time but it’s still possible.

kray28

Given the latest tweets from Hunter, is a part of the season all but assured to be cancelled now? How soon could further talks resume? Could the coming NLRB ruling help at all?

Eric Pincus

The NLRB could force the owners to stop the lockout but I don’t think they will. Still, anything is possible so that’s an important decision that both sides need to get past before anything serious happens in negotiation.

MexFound

Why cant both sides just get along for the benefit of the game?

Eric Pincus

Who says they can’t? It’s September.

Back2TheNFL4awhile

If it’s really around 20 owners pushing for radical reform in the new CBA what is the stance of the others? Owners like Buss/Cuban etc. seem to benefit from a soft cap.

James

Calderon for Walton Blake and 1st rd pick? Toronto promotes Bayless and gets pick. LA gets efficient starting PG who can shoot. Mike Brown can coach up his D. Thoughts?

Eric Pincus

I don’t see why the Raptors want Walton, Blake and a 1st for Calderon.

Drew

Now that we have Adleman how much better does he make us? And what vets do we look to bring in and for what?

Eric Pincus

Adelman has a knack for reaching players and getting the most out of them. He’s one of the better coaches in the league (despite no title). As far as personnel moves, it’s really hard to say. I want to get past the lockout and see what’s what – especially with a team like Minnesota that has such a varied roster. A lot depends on what Ricky Rubio brings to the table.

B

Will the Raptors EVER trade Bargnani? When will Colangelo admit the Euro experiment has failed in Toronto?

Eric Pincus

I don’t think they trade Bargnani any time soon and frankly I don’t think they should. The issue to me is the rest of the team. Toronto hasn’t had a solid roster 1-8 for many, many years.

Fob

With the contract negotiation not moving forward, 2ill any of the Clippers playing oversea?

Eric Pincus

I would say any Clippers under contract who play overseas will have opt-outs to return should the NBA resume.

Fob

I’ve heard DeAndre has been working with The Dream, how much did it help him?

Eric Pincus

I have to catch up with DeAndre. I haven’t heard yet.

D B

What did you make of the last episode of Entourage? you think there will be a movie?

Eric Pincus

Kind of random in a basketball chat, no? Entourage is like eating white bread.

D B

Any inside info on the upcoming West vs. Jackson saga? Where you around back then?

Eric Pincus

I didn’t cover the team in person then, so it’s before my time on a first-hand basis. From my understanding Jackson was cold to Jerry West and West is over-sensitive in general. A tough combination.

Efren23

Do you think the clippers should go after grant hill sign him one year contract y or y not I think he a good fit great defender great mid range jumper great attitude don’t see anything but pros for this

Eric Pincus

I’d be all for that as a temporary fix, absolutely.

Fob

Kaman is clearly a better fit with Blake because of his shooting touch, why is there so much rumors talk with Kaman? I understand he is their best trade chip but does it have more to do with the Clippers not believing in Aminu? Or is it because Kaman demand the starting job?

Eric Pincus

Kaman is older and even though he’s a better fit offensively, I’d say Jordan and Blake’s youth and athleticism is a better match. The Clippers need an impact small forward (and/or point guard) and it’s going to cost somewhere, somehow. The main reason Chris is on the block is because LA is about to invest in Jordan and very few teams can put in major money into two centers.

D Stevenson

How close were the Lakers in getting Monta Ellis or A Iguodala on draft night? Is that something they may revisit when the season starts?

Eric Pincus

Not close. They may revisit if they can but is Lamar Odom enough? We’ll see.

D Stevenson

How do the Lakers start thinking about personnel moves while there is a lockout? Do they have a list of players they would like and then they act on it after the season starts?

Eric Pincus

I don’t see a lot of movement for the Lakers once the lockout is lifted. They need a backup center and probably one more guard. I see small moves unless they get a really amazing offer for Odom.

D Stevenson

Do you think Pau Gasol has bounced back from the playoffs meltdown? he looks great in Euroleague

Eric Pincus

Not yet.

D Stevenson

I know that S Blake and Fisher are stop gaps at the PG position for the Lakers. Who do you believe is their long term fix that they have in mind?

Eric Pincus

Well Chris Paul, Deron Williams and the like. The Lakers think big and then make the decisions when they must. If that means they go in a totally different direction, then so be it. I don’t like many of the options available right now.

D Stevenson

I’ve heard the general rule that once a trade rumor gets out it is usually dead. Is this more or less true? Was there really a proposed Melo for Bynum trade on the table?

Eric Pincus

That’s not necessarily true. Some rumors leak and then happen. If you go by sheer numbers. the volume of rumors is high enough that naturally very few go through – given how few actual transactions happen in a season. The Nuggets had interest in Bynum. There was some level of dialogue but I don’t believe anything was ever truly close.

John

I dont see why Phili would want Odom. They already have EB and Young who could play PF.

Eric Pincus

Doug Collins loves Odom and from what I’ve heard, the Sixers aren’t against an Odom/Brand frontline with LO at the five! Remember Lamar played center for Team USA. It may not work in the NBA but it could be an option down the road. Young can also play small forward.

John

What would it take for the Clippers to get DWill or CP3. It would be huge if they get somebody that makes others better.

Eric Pincus

Luck. Minnesota getting the top pick in the 2012 NBA Draft (which goes to the Clippers). Pau or Williams would have to really push for a trade. Would either do so to the Clippers?

D Stevenson

Can the Lakers move any of the logjam in the SF position? It seems like they need a shooter or someone more athletic at the 3 that can shoot than what they have right now.

Eric Pincus

If there’s an amnesty clause, they may be able to shed Luke Walton. Otherwise I don’t see a taker for Artest and Barnes doesn’t make enough to move. He’s probably better off on the roster.

D Stevenson

How happy are the Miami Heat with Mike Miller? I know the Lakers were after Miller, would the Heat be open to trading him now to the Lakers for say Artest + filler?

Eric Pincus

I don’t believe the Lakers want Miller at this point. The HEAT might be open to dealing him but for Artest?

Joseph Lustre

What exactly was wrong with the Lakers last year? Were they just simply tired or were there chemistry issues?

Eric Pincus

Three straight years to the NBA Final burnt them out. Bynum’s early injury and Kobe’s knee which took him out of practices were major factors. The team ran out of gas mentally and physically.

John

In regards to DWill or CP, I’m talking about this season. It wouldn’t matter what pick the Clips get cuz sign and trade will be gone.

Eric Pincus

In theory the Wolves would have to be struggling with a bottom record to raise the value of their pick. Midseason, I’m not sure LA can get either.