NBA Chat With Jason Fleming 2/13/12

Chat with HOOPSWORLD editor Jason Fleming about any and all things NBA on Monday at 8pm Eastern Time. Trades? Rumors? Rotations? Signings? Anything hoops is fair game. Feel free to leave questions in the queue anytime.

  1. Robert

    If you had to choose right now who do you take, Jeremy Lin, Ricky Rubio, or Kyrie Irving?

    • Jason Fleming

      Welcome to this week’s chat! I’ll try to hit as many topics as possible.

      Before we get silly, at the moment Lin is in third place in that group. He’s fitting in great in NYC, but let’s give it a little more time.

      I take Rubio over Irving. Why? Rubio does everything I want my point guard to do. He has better vision and makes better decisions and right now he’s just a tad better at running the offense. His drawbacks – mainly consistent shooting – can and likely will improve over time. Go back to his first few games and check the shooting percentages, which show he can hit shots. Irving is a fantastic player and will likely be a multi-year All-Star, but I personally like my PGs to be pass first.

  2. Mutang

    Jason, I’m really curious about Utah’s PG situation.They have a good young team, TPE’s and draft picks coming, but PG is where they need to address. Who do you see as Utah’s starting PG in 2013, or for the future?? Thanks.

    • Jason Fleming

      2013 is a long, long ways away…but you are right, their long-term answer is not on the roster. It’s not Earl Watson or Jamaal Tinsley, and it sure doesn’t seem to be Devin Harris, does it? Then again, what are the options? Take a look at the 2012 free agents (link) and not much jumps out, especially considering the Jazz have $53.1 million to 10 players (Utah salaries link) for the 12-13 season so will only have the MLE to spend. This draft isn’t very deep for point guards either, not like the previous few years.

      So I don’t know. Clearly there is an issue and also, perhaps just as clearly, there is no path to finding an answer. They will have a monster amount of cap space if they can wait until the summer of 2013 where they could be a decent amount of point guards available (link).

  3. penoy balut

    Whats your take on the lakers signing not only g.arenas and /or maybe e.boykins too? He is instant offense who can be a barea type of energy? And why is twilliams of hou ,not playing? Does he have a bad rep to the coaches, he is a super athlete with his hops… Or is he just injured.keep up the good work guys. Hw is super famous now!

    • Jason Fleming

      In order for the Lakers to sign two guys they need to waive someone else. Considering they could have waived any one of Ebanks, Morris, or Goudelock last week without having to pay them their full contract, it seems unlikely they make a move like that now. Even if they did bring in both of those players I really don’t think Boykins is going to make the Lakers a better team. Arenas possibly, but it really depends on how quickly he learns the system.

      Williams is up and down with his own consistency, both on the floor and on the practice court. He has the talent, but he doesn’t impress the coaches.

  4. jay

    Hey jason..whats going on boss..are you sold on Darren Collison as the Pacers point guard for the present and future??yeah hes not doing bad..but hes not consistent and he cant cover..he struggles against bigger guards like Rose and Derron Williams..they even have Paul George gaurding them cos Collison cant cover them..maybe trade him plus fillers for a bigger guard like Ty Lawson or Jeff Teague??tnx boss..

    • Jason Fleming

      Before you get down on Collison – who DOESN’T struggle against the likes of Rose and Deron? I mean, they don’t stop each other, so can you really put too much on Collison there?

      I like him. He is an efficient distributor and gets his teammates the ball where they can have success, which as you may have read is what I want from my PG, especially with those weapons.

      Jeff Teague is solid, but not as good of a passer as Collison. Lawson isn’t a player the Nuggets will consider moving. Collison is a solid point guard, I have no issues with him at all. Besides, Indy IS 17-10…

  5. keeweekid

    If your Blazers GM, do you give G. Wallace the big payday GW is looking for after he opts out? If the answer is no, do you think whoever is Blazers acting GM is listening to offers for GW?

    • Jason Fleming

      Big payday? No. I’d resign him, but at less per season, and he will get offers probably higher than I would be willing to give as the Portland GM, especially since I’m absolutely keeping Nic Batum.

      I don’t think Portland is quite to the point where they are gung ho to make a trade, but it’s rapidly getting there. I think they would be not smart to be hanging up the phone on people inquiring about Wallace.

  6. keeweekid

    What do you think of Blazers scouting department/drafting ability? In the past 10 years (with the exception of B.Roy), they have drafted 1 starter (LA) and 2 other decent players (Batum & Bayless) including players that have gone elsewhere.

    • Jason Fleming

      Well, to that, I’d say also they didn’t draft Aldridge (draft day trade for Ty Thomas), Bayless (draft day trade for Brandon Rush) or Batum. (Check out this great history from Basketball Reference). Other than Roy, their last meaningful draft pick – someone who has made an impression on the league – was Zach Randolph. In 2001. Ouch.

  7. keeweekid

    How does the Jeremy Lin thing happen? Not drafted, cut by 2 teams, and a week away from Knicks cutting him and now has gone 5 games straight of 20+ points when he is basically THE focal point of the offense. 1 in a million or scouts/coaches putting too much emphasis on athletic ability rather than Bball IQ or coaches not willing to give any meaningful time to players at end of bench?

    • Jason Fleming

      I think some of all of that. Plus, it has to be the right situation. Lin never would have gotten that chance if Baron Davis was healthy or if Mike Bibby was still playing (oops). Then, on top of that, it has to be the right kind of offense. New York has been starving for a player with exactly what he does well, even if it’s not a skill set that fits every single team.

      And also those other things you said. All of those things together…

      A ton of luck, that’s how it happens. And then we should just enjoy it.

  8. keeweekid

    Can you see the Blazers management bagging the season and just trying to trade any and everyone (minus LA)they have for 1st round pics in this years deep draft? I don’t see anything more than a 5-8 seed for years to come with this team (Felton-ugh, Matthews- below avg. starting SG, Center about to become a big issue as Camby’s career peters out and no big superstar free agent will ever sign with Blazers). Is there best hope at being ultra competitve to go lottery for a few years and hope to have better health luck with their draft picks?

    • Jason Fleming

      I can see the Blazers blowing it up…but it won’t be just for draft picks. They have to be out of the playoff picture come the beginning of March, which is entirely possible. Management won’t accept going to the lottery for a few years…been there, done that, and it didn’t work out nearly as well as anyone thought it would. They won’t go that route again so soon.

  9. eddy

    I was watching the Clippers-Cavs game and the Clipper commentators were saying that the Cavs have 3 first round picks in this draft. How do they have 3? Their pick, Sacromento’s lottery protected pick and??

    • Jason Fleming

      Their pick will go to the Thunder – it’s top-10 protected. I think that’s just bad info.

  10. Brandon

    With the sixers lose to the heat do you see them trying to make a move to be able to contend with the heat and bulls?

    • Jason Fleming

      I don’t. That’s not their plan to do that this season. I think they will let this team grow together a little bit more – they have that luxury. In my mind I see the Sixers just going as far as they can with what they have this year. They can then hit the draft and free agency, make a few tweaks, and then set their sights higher in 2013.

  11. Will

    Your gut feeling,where do you think Dwight lands after the trade deadline?

  12. keo

    Rondo for devin Harris ..and al jefferson or one of there bigs..maybe kanter?… Would this work?

    • Jason Fleming

      Doesn’t sound like something Boston would be interested in doing. They traded Jefferson away once.

  13. Chris

    Hi Jason. Does Derrick Rose’s recent back issue elevate the Bulls need to trade for Dwight Howard? With Rose, the Bulls are still one star offensive threat away from beating the Heat in the playoffs. Without Rose…

    • Jason Fleming

      Honestly, it really doesn’t matter what the Bulls want in this discussion – Orlando hasn’t said they will trade Howard. Until that happens, no offer is going to matter.

      I agree with you they need something, but I think it’s just health. If they can get Rip, Rose and Deng healthy, they’ll be fine. Rose, of course, is the most important piece there.

  14. devonte

    i really want j.r smith to sign with the knicks but my head keeps telling me he’ll sign with the clips. what do you think?

    • Jason Fleming

      I think Smith may surprise you and sign somewhere else. Both the Clippers and Knicks can only offer him a minimum salary. He’s going to think hard about teams who can pay him more than that and potentially give him a starting role first.

  15. devonte

    will carmelo and amare making their way back does the knicks get back into to the swing of things in the eastern conference? maybe past the atlanta?

    • Jason Fleming

      Well, they’ve won five in a row without them…I think the question is will bringing the stars back disrupt the momentum they’ve built. I believe the answer is no, the Knicks will continue to improve. Jeremy Lin will return to earth, but that will be mostly because with Amar’e and Melo back they will no longer need Lin to score points. He will be able to become a facilitator. His shots will go down and his assists will go up, and both stars will find themselves with easier shots than they had before Lin burst on the scene. I’m not sure they can catch Atlanta…maybe.

  16. John

    Just a few question #1 there are some draft boards showing the lakers having 2 first round draft picks and others showing 1 which one is it? #2 what are the possible upgrades at the 3 spot for the lakers #3 is there any possible way for lakers to aquire josh smith from the hawks with out giving up bynum or gasol and have him play the 3?

    • Jason Fleming

      1 – Lakers have Dallas’ pick, which is top-20 protected. Right now Dallas is tied for the 9th-best record in the league, so it really depends on the day as to whether that pick looks headed for the Lakers or not. Check out our Draft Pick Debt page (link).

      2 – The Lakers don’t have assets to trade, really. They don’t want to trade Bynum or Gasol at the moment, and if they don’t trade those players who is going to bring them back a player better than what they have? I don’t see it.

      3 – No. There is zero chance of getting Smith without sending out Bynum or Gasol, which won’t happen.

      I know Laker fans don’t want to hear this, but I think this is the roster they will have, barring an addition of Arenas perhaps. Most teams aren’t going to just give away a player for the traded player exception, and even if they would, how likely is that player comes to L.A. and is a differencemaker? Not very.

  17. Aristotle

    Hey there Jas,

    So would it be too late to throw Jeremy Lin into the BBVA Rising Stars? haha. I mean after what’s just happened… how can you not just put him up against Wall, Rubio, Irving, and Walker? Throw in one more name, get them onto rosters of 10 and let it happen!!

    • Jason Fleming

      I can just about guarantee that if one of the sophomores has to miss the game due to injury Lin will be the player named to replace him. For example, if Griffin bows out because he is playing the All-Star Game too…

  18. Scott

    Would either the Clippers or Blazers have interest in a Matthews for Williams trade? Matthews would give the Clips the size in the back court they lack, while Williams would be the PG the Blazers are clearly lacking.

    • Jason Fleming

      I don’t think Portland has any interest in Mo Williams. I personally think the role he has now on the Clippers – first guard off the bench – is the best one for him. He’s not an ideal starting point guard in my opinion.

  19. Ryan

    Do you expect the cavs to rapidly fall down in the standings with the injury sustained to Andy?

    • Jason Fleming

      Yes, I do. That’s just putting that much more pressure on Irving and they don’t have anyone who can pick up the slack on defense in the middle.

  20. Beetlegeuse

    Why are the Magic talking about not trading Dwight Howard when NJN and DAL can both sign him as a free agent? Why is that risk worth taking for the Magic/ are they in denial?

    • Jason Fleming

      You have to consider what they would have to take back in trade. Is that better that simply having cap space to spend on free agents, choosing whomever they like to replace Howard? If they have to take back pieces they don’t want or don’t make sense, then why force it? And, for the record, there are plenty of other teams who could sign him too, not just Dallas or Jersey.

      Why is that worth the risk? Now you are asking me to be in someone’s head, which I can’t do. :) The Magic simply have not accepted the fact Howard is leaving.

  21. Mark

    Expectations seem to be sky-high in New York. Given the fickle NYC crowd, who gets the blame when things go south (or at least level off) — D’Antoni or Anthony? And when the mob demands change, is it more likely we see Phil Jackson as coach or Carmelo on a different team?

    • Jason Fleming

      It’s always the coach, isn’t it? Here’s the thing though – this roster was built for D’Antoni’s offense. What is going to happen if you can him and bring in a new coach? Will the results be better than they are in Golden State, where the defensive-minded Mark Jackson took over a run-and-gun offense?

      And if those are my two options, I guess Melo on a different team. I don’t think we will see Jackson coaching again.

  22. Jeremy Wood

    What is your opinion on the blazers this year? How much longer do you give felton? Should you start crawford at 2 now or wait? Is there anything realistically that Aldridge can do more then he already is? Should Batum be starting? Anyone we might get in a trade and where do you think we will end up at playoff time?

    • Jason Fleming

      I’m not impressed at all. After that great start everything looked rosy, but other teams have settled down while Portland has not. As far as Felton goes…what are the other options? Start Nolan Smith or Armon Johnson? They are kind of stuck with this roster, unless they decide to blow it up. Felton hasn’t found his groove…but he’s not being pushed either. As for starting Crawford, I don’t think it’s a good idea, either at the one or the two. He is not a good defender and he’s not going to contribute anything as a starter he isn’t already giving off the bench. Putting him in the starting lineup and sitting down a better defender in Wes Matthews – who, yes, is having a horrible offensive year – won’t lead to them winning more games. I don’t know that starting Batum would improve them much either, but it’s a better option than starting Crawford.

      Gotta feel for Aldridge – he’s doing everything he can. He needs help. The thing is, considering how poorly the Blazers have played and yet they are still in games. They could have won in Dallas. They are 1-10 in games decided by 5 points or less. If Gerald Wallace plays on the road like he does at home, if Wes Matthews shot like he did last season…things are very different. The hard part about this is the Blazers are so close to dipping the needle the other way. That’s why they aren’t willing to hit the trade market yet. That could still change if the bottom drops out in the next couple weeks.

  23. Jim

    Hey Jason, do the Nuggets make any trades before the deadline ? Will Wilson Chandler make a difference when he comes back, does he sign long-term ?

    • Jason Fleming

      I don’t think they will, unless someone makes them a nice offer for Andre Miller. He’s played very well for them, but if they were offered a nice young piece and a draft pick in return it would be hard to turn down. I don’t think Chandler will be a differencemaker this season, at least not consistently. I also think it may be in his best interests just to sign for the rest of the season (the same goes for Brooks in Phoenix). The hit the full free agent market in July.

  24. Cricket

    Earlier, you suggested JR Smith was more likely to sign with someone who could offer him a starting role. Minnesota seems to fit the bill. Do you think JR would sign there? And how do you see a player like that fitting in with that impressionable young core?

    • Jason Fleming

      Excellent question. I think Minny would have to think hard about it before signing Smith. Coach Adelman isn’t a disciplinarian type, so it may not be a good idea, though it seems like a nice fit. Then again, remember they have a full roster and would have to cut a contract (Wolves salaries). Is paying Smith AND someone else to not play worth it?

  25. Cain

    Who is the best shooter in NBA right now?

  26. Skyler

    will the blazers change there starting line up, swapping felton with jamal?

    • Jason Fleming

      Last question!

      I don’t think so. McMillan said today no changes, but putting Crawford as the starting point would, um, not be the wisest choice.

      Thanks for all the great questions! Follow me on Twitter @jfleminghoops and we’ll do it again next week, same time.