NBA Chat With Jason Fleming 4/30/12

1. Thomas Pynchon

   Hey Jason,

   Is it finally time for you and the media to admit you ran with the whole Durant thing a bit too far? Dirk (predictably) is owning him and it’s becoming clear that Durant isn’t the best (or possibly even 2nd best) player on his own team.

   • Jason Fleming

     Welcome to this week’s chat! I’ll touch on as much as I can in the next hour…

     That depends. What specific statement or statements are you referring to? Durant is a great player. Nowitzki is a great player. Are you saying we overrated a player who has led the league in scoring three straight seasons? Who shot a career-high 50% from the field this year as a perimeter player? Who also posted career-highs in rebounds, assists and blocks? In the second-fewest minutes per game of his five seasons?

     Really not sure where this question is going…

2. paprika

   Finally the juice innportland came out. Its said in reports the gwal,felton ,jamal and camby didnt like their coach.aldridge their star talk them on staying focus but still the players rallied to take mcmillan out. If u are portland management would u still sign those guys knowing they dont listen even to aldridge the franchise guy?

   • Jason Fleming

     For what it’s worth, I don’t buy that argument. Did they not like Nate? Yes, I heard that too. However, the Blazers traded Wallace and Camby BEFORE firing McMillan, so it doesn’t make sense to claim they got him fired – it was going to happen anyway.

     As for Crawford and Felton, they have played their last games in red and black for various reasons. That may just be one of them.

3. David

   Any chance the Blazers over pay for Eric Gordon so the Hornets don’t match? A core of Gordon/Batum/LA sounds a nice foundation to build around and with 2 first round picks.

   • Jason Fleming

     None of that does them any good without a point guard who can get everyone the ball. That’s going to be their priority in free agency, not shooting guard. If they keep Batum and bring in a first-tier PG, I think Portland will be perfectly happy with Wes Matthews and Eliot Williams at the two.

4. RapsFan

   Do you think Ersan Ilyasova can play the 3 starting full time in the NBA?

   • Jason Fleming

     No. I don’t think his defense is good enough to consistently provide any resistance at all to the league’s better threes. If the Bucks had someone in the middle to play defense (should he stay with them) then maybe, but they traded Bogut for Monta Ellis.

5. zev

   Hi Jason, One of the things I notice people not talking about the Blazers is REBOUNDING. This team lost many games because it continually got killed on the boards.We need a beast to help LA. I know we need shooters but to me he who controls the rebounds controls the game!
   Maybe Drummond and a free agent?????

   • Jason Fleming

     Well, look at it this way: Aldridge isn’t going anywhere and they plan on bringing back Batum, so those are your starting forwards. Yes, they need rebounding, for sure. When they bring in a center he absolutely needs to be a big-time defender and rebounder, someone who can control the paint and grab 10+ boards a night. Is that Drummond? Maybe. At six, if that’s where they pick, that’s probably a solid choice. In the meantime they still need at least one veteran center and a power forward to come off the bench to do some of the same things. For Portland PG is first priority, then a center, then filling out the roster/adding shooters. Theoretically the PG they bring in will also be a solid shooter.

6. Jim

   Jason-Look forward to you chat every week. What are your thoughts on the blazers gm and head coaching positions? What do you think of Elston Turner as the head coach? He worked under Rick Adelman for 14 years, previously worked in Portland and is a former player.

   • Jason Fleming

     Thank you, I appreciate that.

     I don’t think the GM position is that important, honestly. When Larry Miller said they have had one all along and he’s working out in Chad Buchanan, I agree with him. It’s not a job that appeals to most because the GM is not THE decision maker. Even if they took the interim off Buchanan – or hired someone else – the demands of the Portland GM position won’t change. Buchanan has done a very solid job working within the job’s constraints. I still say take off the interim and just give him the job. He’s earned it.

     As for the coach, I think it’s very important to have one in place by June 30th. For the draft it’s not that important, but when you want to start pitching your team to free agents they are going to want to know who they are playing for. Portland has Deron Williams aspirations; think he goes to a team where he doesn’t know who the coach is going to be? Not a chance. (And let’s not even go down the “let him have input on the hire” route – that’s not going to happen in Portland.)

7. Jim

   What’s the point of mock drafts prior to the lottery with the order being set and when players who have not hired agents can opt out? I see everyone assuming Portland is getting NJ pick and although the percentages say we will it’s not guaranteed.

   • Jason Fleming

     Regardless of who makes that pick the choice probably won’t change that much. At this point, prior to the Draft Lottery, it’s more of a ranking than a mock draft and helps everyone get a feel for what might be available. I think they are a solid research tool and a good starting point for discussion.

     Are they gospel? Of course not, but then again nothing in this business is until the ink is dry…

8. Mark ryan

   if the kings draft Barnes or MKG or sign a starting small forward in free agency but also keep Tyreke Evans, who comes off the bench Marcus Thornton or Isiah Thomas?

   • Jason Fleming

     They tried Evans and Thornton in the backcourt and it didn’t work – neither one is a point guard. They decided in the latter half of the season Evans would start at the three and Thornton was the starter at the two.

     For me, I think the Kings have already made their decision. Either Evans becomes a Sixth Man of the Year candidate or they auction him off to the highest bidder.

9. Mike aldridge

   Why don’t you realize how good Austin Rivers is. He is the Only Lottery Pick who gets talked about most about the things he cant do rather than the things he can do. Of course he needs to get stronger and work on his shot selection but the kid is only 19 years old. Rivers is an Elite Prospect which made him the Number 1 recruit in High school. He has Elite NBA ready Ball handling Skills, Quickness and shooting ability. His size isn’t a big deal when 3 of the top 5 SG in the league are “undersized” in Dwyane wade, Monta Ellis and Eric Gordon. I will truly be shocked when its all said and done and hes not one of the top 5 players to come out of this draft.

   • Jason Fleming

     I respectfully disagree, but don’t take my word for it. These mock drafts you see aren’t someone making things up – they are based on research and talking with people who train and draft college athletes. Sure, the draft isn’t a perfect process and yes, players surprise the experts all the time, but the truth is more often the experts are right.

     I’m pulling for Rivers. He is a smart player who can bring a lot to a team, but I just don’t see him as the differencemaker type of player.

10. Jacob R.

    Will John Wall and Kyrie Irving ever be at the same level as Rose and Westbrook? Why or why not?

    In no more than 2 years from now John Wall should be better than Westbrook.

    • Jason Fleming

      I really think it’s too early to say if they will or will not. The sample size for Irving especially is very small. Give him a solid team around him and an injury-free season, then start trying to compare him to two All-Stars.

      As for Wall, his numbers from his second season compare favorably with Westbrook.

      Wall – 16.3 points, 8.0 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 3.9 turnovers, 42% shooting
      Westbrook – 16.1 points, 8.0 assists, 4.9 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 3.3 turnovers, 42% shooting

      Wall’s .071 from three this year is quite painful though.

11. Bill Wallace

    What kind of player do you see Damian Lilard being at the NBA level? What kind of scorer can he be? Does he have all star Potential?

    Would you rather draft him Brandon Knight or Kemba Walker?

    • Jason Fleming

      I expect him to become a NBA starter, but not right away (always depends on the team he goes to). He should be able to create his own shot with little problem, but he also has to be sure to get his teammates involved. Way too early to make comparisons and claim All-Star status when he doesn’t even have a jersey yet.

12. kyle

    What are your thoughts on Marshon Brooks and whats his potential and upside? i can see him being one of the top scorers in the league in few years.

    • Jason Fleming

      He has the talent for it and has proven he can be explosive. It’s really too bad injuries took a chunk of his rookie season. A lot of it depends on what the Nets put around him this summer.

13. Jake

    Will Kevin Durrant lead the league in PPG for the next 5 years? Who is going to stop him?

    Who are some young up and coming players who could challenge Durrant for the scoring title in the next few years?

    • Jason Fleming

      For the next five years, to make it eight straight? I’ll play the odds and say no. It’s silly to think LeBron James won’t make a run at the title. Carmelo Anthony shouldn’t be ruled out. In the right situation Monta Ellis or Eric Gordon could be in the mix. Also Blake Griffin.

14. Deven

    Hi Jason. What are your thoughts about the Clippers comeback last night? To me, it was insane! A franchise that went from a laughing stock to pulling off one of the greatest comebacks in NBA Playoff history. What does this mean for the team in general?

    • Jason Fleming

      Let me correct you – THE greatest comeback. Seriously, it was amazing.

      What it means is they have momentum and if the Grizzlies don’t buck up and come out strong in Game 2, this series could get away from them very fast. I was one of many who picked the Grizzlies, but a comeback like the Clips’ had last night will either break a team or make it stronger. Game 2 should be fascinating.

15. Deven

    When Free Agency arrives, who will be coming back or leaving the Boston Celtics:

    A. Paul Pierce
    B. Ray Allen
    C. Kevin Garnett
    D. Rajon Rondo

    • Jason Fleming

      Pierce isn’t going anywhere because he still has two years and over $32 million left on his contract. I would be surprised if either Allen or Garnett return, simply because of their age. If they do come back, it will be for drastically reduced money.

      Even with all the talk about Rondo, I doubt they trade him. He’s still one of the best point guards in the NBA and trading a player like that is something they should not take lightly. Better to rebuild around Rondo.

16. Deven

    Who is your pick now to win the east and the finals?

    • Jason Fleming

      My East pick is still the same – Miami. Finals too.

17. Deven

    Who are you most impressed with after game 1? Who are you least impressed with?

    • Jason Fleming

      I am most impressed with the Magic as a team. No one, including me, gave them a chance without Dwight Howard and after this mess of a season, but then they march in and take Game 1 from the Pacers and currently lead Indy in Game 2. Who saw that coming?

      Amar’e Stoudemire really needs to step up. He can’t finish a game 2-7 from the field with five rebounds.

18. Deven

    How bland is the Nets new logo?

    • Jason Fleming

      You won’t get bland from me – I love it. Simple, clean, the kind of thing that can appeal to all ages. It’s going to make the Nets a ton of money from all their old and new fans, as well as casual ones. I say well done.

19. Brad

    Do you think Shawn Marion is a good NBA comparison to give to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist? I see a lot of people comparing him to Gerald Wallace, but I see more Shawn Marion in his game.

    • Jason Fleming

      Well, to be compared to either player means MKG’s talent is well respected and you can’t go wrong, right? I personally would probably go with Marion, but it’s a fine line.

20. Bjørn Simen Samdal

    Are players paid extra for playoff games? Just read Rondo would be suspended one game without pay.

    • Jason Fleming

      Sort of. Contracts are for regular season games, so any salary numbers you see thrown around apply there. For the playoffs each team earns a playoff share of a larger pie based on how far they advance, with first-round losers getting the smallest slices and the champ getting the biggest. The players vote on how their team share is distributed, but it’s usually pretty equal.

      Rondo will be docked 1/110th of his 2011-12 NBA salary of $10,045,455 – $91,322.32.

      Why 1/110th as opposed to 1/82nd? That was agreed upon to be the definition of a “game check” between the league and the players at a previous set of CBA talks (not the ones from 2011).

      Another note: the fine applies to the salary of the player at the time of the infraction. Say Metta World Peace was given his seven-game suspension for the final game of the season and the Lakers missed the playoffs, meaning he would serve six games next year – the fine would be 7/110th of his 2011-12 salary, not a part of his 2011-12 salary and part of his 2012-13 salary.

      Why? It just is.

21. Brad

    Your thoughts on Andrea Bargnani? Should the Raptors trade him while he has value and let Ed Davis take over as the starting PF?

    • Jason Fleming

      He’s owed $32.25 million over the next three seasons, so just deciding to trade him isn’t going to make it happen. Personally, I would keep him and pair him in the frontcourt with Jonas Valunciunas and see how they play together. If they complement each other, great. If not, then there is only two years and $22.25 million left on his deal.

22. Brad

    What do you think of a Clippers/Magic trade of Blake Griffin + DeAndre Jordan + Eric Bledsoe for Dwight Howard? I think both teams would benefit from this trade.

    • Jason Fleming

      The Clippers would never do it. And I think they give up way too much.

23. victor

    Why is Jared Sullinger stock dropping, I see him playing PF in the nba and see him similar to David West and Shawn Marion in his younger days. You see Golden State would pick him if he drops down to 7, rather than some unpolished players.

    • Jason Fleming

      I think until he gets a chance to prove he is a four in draft workouts this will remain true. Right now he’s a 6-9 center, which isn’t anyone’s ideal.

24. Lucas

    Hi Jason, do you think the Knicks will keep Woodson at the end of the season or are they going after Phil Jackson and offer him a ridiculous contract? Thanks

    • Jason Fleming

      I think those two things are only marginally related. Yes, I think Woodson stays on. No they won’t go after Phil Jackson because he has not indicated he wants to return to the NBA. There are medical reasons he retired from coaching. The wear and tear on his body was too much.

25. alan

    What direction do you see Portland going with their coach and GM vacancies? Do they keep interim appointments for now, or seriously look for new people?

    • Jason Fleming

      As I said before, the GM position I think matters much less. They have to have a legitimate head coach to attract free agents. Not sure Canales is that guy.

26. John

    If nash were to sign with the heats, how can he coexist with 2 ball dominant players in lebron and wade?

    • Jason Fleming

      Nash won’t have a problem fitting in with any set of teammates. Ever.

      Think he’ll sign for $3 million?

27. Mac

    Jason Flemming, in a chat you said “The Blazers have their eyes on a star free agent and will need to have that cap space.” This statement indicates you are aware of a specific player Portland is targeting this off-season. Will you elaborate on this and reveal which player is atop the Blazers radar?

    • Jason Fleming

      One “m”

      It shouldn’t surprise anyone that they would love to sign Deron Williams.

28. taho at pandesal

    East looks like a 2 team conference. If the heat plays in the west i dont think they get the best record. Im guessing 4th seed due to lack of size and more quality on opponents. I see the bulls with rose more built for the west. Whats your take on this and i still think lakers bulls in the finals.. opinion please? Thanks for the chat

    • Jason Fleming

      Well, to be fair, Miami didn’t have the best record in the East either. I would find it just about impossible to put them lower than 3 in the West.

      I’m still going Thunder-HEAT in the Finals.

29. paprika

    Watching eyanga inbsome minutes he was given, how i wish they played him more in the season rather than dleague. He could be a better back up NOw to kobe. He has seize and athletic kinda like shannon brown. Whats your take?

    • Jason Fleming

      I think he will see a bigger role next year for sure.

30. Mark (Paper Bag Wearing Blazer Fan)

    If Portland offered their 2 lottery picks for Rondo would the Celtics consider it?

    Blazers can absorb Rondo’s contract on July 1st, so the deal could be agreed to on Draft Night, then completed with the league on July 1st.

    • Jason Fleming

      Last question!

      Technically the deal couldn’t be completed until July 15th because of the blackout period, but yes, this could happen. However, either side could pull out before then, and teams usually are less likely to trade their draft picks so soon after actually making the pick. Not saying it couldn’t happen, just that it’s very rare.

      As for Boston, I don’t think they trade Rondo unless they get a star in return. Two rookies probably wouldn’t be enough, even if they are lottery picks. Well, unless they were blowing the entire thing up.

      Thanks for all the great questions! I’ll be back in the chat room on May 14th, but in the meantime hit me up on Twitter @jfleminghoops!