NBA Chat With Joel Brigham, 10/18/12

1. Charlie

   The Philadelphia 76ers are predicted to win 47 games next year. If you were a betting man, higher or lower than this total? And what would be the #1 reason for making this decision.

   • Joel Brigham

     Good afternoon, HOOPSWORLD Citizens, and welcome to another edition of my weekly chat! We’re growing perilously close to the start of the regular season, and I’ve got my fantasy draft in six days. Plenty of hoops to talk about, both in the actual and fantastic worlds, and I want to get to as much of it as I can today.

     Obviously, the biggest bummer of the last 24 hours was the word that Kevin Love broke his hand and will be out 6-8 weeks. The Wolves were already going to struggle until Ricky Rubio got back. Now they’ve got to wait almost as long for their best player. Love is a good dude, too, so it really bites to see this happen, but it is what it is. Plenty of other good happening this year. Maybe we’ll see Brandon Roy and Andrei Kirilenko earn unofficial joint comeback players of the year awards. Hopefully, anyway.

     As for the Philadelphia question, I think 47 is a really good place to set the number, actually. I’d have them above .500, but not by much. Six games over seems pretty close, and I see them as maybe a 7 seed in the East, with or without Bynum healthy the entire time. I’ve said this for a while now, but I just don’t buy him and Evan Turner as the leaders of that team. So far, from what I’ve been told, Jason Richardson has been the vocal leader of the group. That I can live with, but is Jason Richardson as your most reliable player really enough to make you an Eastern Conference powerhouse? I don’t buy it. Gun to my head, I’d go under, but I wouldn’t be very confident about it.

2. Frank

   With the supporting cast so poor in Cleveland, how far can Kyrie Irving carry this team this year? And who is going to be the 2nd leading scorer for the Cavs this year: Anderson Varejao, Dion Waiters, CJ Miles, or other?

   • Joel Brigham

     That’s a heck of a question. Should Kyrie make the sort of sophomore leap he’s expected to make, then he should be able to finagle a few extra wins out there in Cleveland this year, but they’re still a pretty bad team all things considered. I’d like to see Tristan Thompson take a step forward and be the team’s second leading scorer, but I don’t know if he’s got it in him just yet. Varejao’s a good bet for however long he’s with the team. Dion Waiters is going to have big nights, but expect some inconsistency there. And if C.J. Miles is your second-leading scorer, you’re really in trouble.

     Hoping for good things with Kyrie, but the rest of the team doesn’t light a fire under me right now.

3. Mac

   Which rookie shooting guard would you rather have on your team and why: Evan Fournier or John Jenkins

   • Joel Brigham

     Jenkins, for sure. I know he’s not going to get much of an opportunity in Atlanta this year with Anthony Morrow and Lou Williams ahead of him on the depth chart, but I think long-term he could be the better player given the right minutes. Fournier should be just as buried, but he’s pretty slight in frame and I wasn’t impressed with him at Summer League at all. Jenkins carries himself like an NBA player and he’s got a skill–shooting threes–that should keep him employed a long time even if he never really figures out how to do much else.

4. Dennis

   In his chat, Bill Ingram complimented new Bobcats coach Mike Dunlap. Was surprised at this, as looking at Dunlap’s credentials one would wonder how he even got a NBA head coaching job. What do you personally think of him as a coach and how much of an improvement do you expect from Charlotte this year.

   • Joel Brigham

     I’d rather teams take risks on smart guys like Dunlap than go with the same old boring retreads over and over again. How many times does an NBA coach have to wear out his welcome before a team looks in other places to find some fresh blood? From what I understand, Dunlap is working these kids into the ground, and somebody who takes things this seriously can’t be a complete and utter failure. With the new coach and all the new talent, they’ll be much better this year. Not playoff-bound, but not historically bad like last season.

5. Keith

   It’s only been 2 preseason games, 3 after tonight against your beloved bulls, but what are your thoughts on the Bucks renewed interest in defending the paint and rim? If they can become a top 10-15 in team D, I feel they’ll be looking at the 6th seed at a minimum…assuming good health, which unfortunately hasn’t happened in quite awhile in Milwaukee.

   • Joel Brigham

     I was actually the only HOOPSWORLD writer to pick the Bucks ahead of the Bulls in the standings this year, so I’m with you that they can be a playoff team this year. Defensively they do look pretty formidable (could Sam Dalembert be better than we think? Is this the year Larry Sanders finally gets it?), and obviously there’s points galore in the backcourt. Skiles always has been a good X’s and O’s coach, and he’s fighting for his job this year. Don’t count these guys out. I could see them finishing 2nd in the Central and having a low Eastern Conference playoff seed. Not out of the range of possibility at all.

6. sixers fan

   thanks for taking my question. Do you believe the sixers have the best outside shooting in the league. With Holiday and Turner they now have leadership cant wait for AB33 to return

   • Joel Brigham

     Now that Miami has Ray Allen, that’s going to be hard to beat in that respect. Lots of great shooters out in Atlanta, too.

7. LA in LA

   I was looking back at the 2008 draft and I was surprised to see how good it was. In addition to 3 1st All-team NBA talents (D.Rose, Westbrook, K.Love all are capable or have done it but Love will never make it while KD and Lebron are here), 18 starters, and 11 guys who are top 8-9 rotation players.

   Does that make it one of the deeper drafts in the NBA?
   And do you recall if there was a lot of hype about this class being deep before it happened?

   • Joel Brigham

     If I remember correctly, this was about D-Rose and Michael Beasley, and nobody was particularly interested in things beyond that. There was some love for Mayo and Love and, to a lesser extent, Westbrook. But Everybody knew Rose and Beasley would be stars. Probably Mayo. What’s crazy to me is the relative lack of success from the guys who were supposed to be no-brainers.

8. Peter

   Hey Joel! Rockets fan here. I’m not very confident that McHale is the right guy going forward for us. I understand that the rockets are in a transitional period, but if they finish last or close to last place in the West, will he AND morey get the sack? If so, I think owner Les Alexander should give both D’Antoni and Nate McMillan a call for the head ooaching job. Thoughts?

   • Joel Brigham

     McHale is a bad head coach. Between him and that ridiculous hodgepodge of players Houston has, I’m not optimistic for things to come. Spent too much money on Lin and Omer, too. What a nightmare. Best of luck, Peter. Just pull out some ’94-’95 Rockets DVDs and try to remember Hakeem Olajuwon and Vernon Maxwell and Kenny Smith. The good ol’ days.

9. Cain

   I am loving the aggressive Paul George, how do you think he will go this season? I can’t help but feel Gerald Green still hasn’t reached his ceiling do you think he will keep getting better?

   • Joel Brigham

     Love both guys. I think this is the year Paul George takes over the reins as the best player on this team, and I could totally see him leading the team in scoring. Great all-around player, cool kid, and definitely the future of this team along with Roy Hibbert. Green finally figured the NBA out last year, and every scout and league guy I talked to over the summer believes he’s going to be a steal for the Pacers. That contract wasn’t a massive one, and if he plays like he did for the Nets last year, he’ll outplay it pretty fast.

     Like I’ve said before, until Derrick Rose gets back, I’m allowing myself the opportunity to simultaneously root for Chicago AND Indiana. I need some hope in my life, and since I’ve covered those guys too for a few years now, I think it’s okay. George, Hibbert, and Granger all are good dudes, and they’ve got a great locker room. Hoping for good things there this year.

10. Robert

    Although it’s still very early, out of these prospects which do you think has the most upside?

    Shabazz Muhammad
    Jabari Parker
    Nerlens Noel
    Andrew Wiggins

    • Joel Brigham

      Jabari Parker, but I’m a little biased since he’s an Illinois prospect. Something about Noel just doesn’t sit right with me. He’s talented, obviously, but something’s missing there and I just can’t put my finger on it yet. Shabazz is the real deal, and he’ll be a star someday, but Parker has that next-level thing going on. Transcendent. Some have called him the surest thing since LeBron, and I really want to buy into that. Seems like a good kid from a good family. You will NOT be hearing about him taking any money in a recruiting scandal sometime down the road. Not his family’s style at all.

      Those who don’t know about Jabari Parker yet… just wait. You wait and see. Kid’s gonna be a legend.

11. LA in LA

    Hey Joel I had an interesting situation in 2k13 and am wondering what you would have done:
    I did a fantasy draft (never get tired of those) and after my first pick, Kobe, I wanted to pick a PG who could shoot. It was between Ty Lawson, Stephen Curry, and Jrue Holiday.
    I picked Holiday over Lawson (I prefer tall PGs and think he defends better) and Curry (Love his shooting, espcially with Kobe, but I DO NOT trust his ankles…at all.)
    If you were in the same situation but in real life which PG would you pick?

    • Joel Brigham

      I’d take Lawson. He’s on the cusp of breaking out this year, and man is he fast. Shoots the ball well, good numbers all around, but he’s tough as hell, too. Serious competitor. Not to say that Jrue isn’t, but Lawson’s got more of that killer mentality than Holiday. A lot to like with Curry, but you’re right about the ankles. I don’t see much difference between him and Lawson, but Lawson is healthier and might have a higher ceiling.

      In short, I would really like to have Lawson on my fantasy basketball team this year. I pick 12 out of 12, though, which means I’d probably have to make him my second pick. Not sure I could justify that over someone like Kyrie Irving. But man, I’ll be thinking about it…

12. kennandresrn

    Can celtic’s still sign another FA for a veteran minimum? There’s still a lot of proven studs out there still seeking for a team. Kenyon in green?

    • Joel Brigham

      Leandro Barbosa signing not enough for you? You’re getting greedy, Celtics fans. It’s already been a pretty darn good offseason for Boston. If this is where they stop, that should be more than enough to make the playoffs and then some. I’ll be surprised if they aren’t one of the three best teams in the East this year.

13. T.J. Wilson

    In my opinion, Serge Ibaka must develop a low-post game, improve his footwork, become a better rebounder and become a better mid-range shooter in order to become more efficient for the Thunder. His shooting is average at best but it needs to above average at least. Agree or disagree? Also, what type of role will Gerald Green will play for the Pacers?

    • Joel Brigham

      Despite Ibaka’s explosion on the defensive end last year, he showed zero improvement offensively, so I’m not really sure he’s got it in him. But my God, was he ever dominant as a shot-blocker last year. Not sure that keeps up after Kendrick Perkins is out of there, since him anchoring the paint allows Serge to wander, seek, and destroy, but he’s clearly the best in the game at that right now. I do think he can do better rebounding, but so far he just hasn’t been asked to do tons of that. Would love to see him better offensively, but some guys just don’t have that part of the game in them. Ibaka, smooth as he is, just is never going to do much on that end.

14. Dayton Dan

    I always thought it’d be fun to see some college “alumni games” during all star weeked. Ex: Former Duke players vs UNC players, think it could happen? Lawson/Marshall, Felton/Ellington, Barns/M Williams, Jamison/Hansbrough, Haywood/Zeller against Irving/Duhon, Henderson/Reddick, Deng/Battier, Boozer/McRoberts, Brand & Plumlee. Thanks!

    • Joel Brigham

      Love it. You could do Kentucky, Texas, Cal, Kansas… maybe an international team? A team full of players from tiny colleges? If nothing else, this would be an interesting way to organize a sweet 3-on-3 during All-Star weekend or something. Back before I had a kid and still had time for video games, I used to stick guys from the same colleges on the same teams and let them go at it. Sigh. I miss those days. I also miss video games.

15. Bassmeister

    The NBA.COM redesign. Yea or nay?

    • Joel Brigham

      It’s cool. Every media outlet is making a push towards video (as you could probably tell with all our new HOOPSWORLD TV stuff lately) since that gets more views and therefore more advertisers, so the six-pack of vids taking up the whole page is an obvious step in that direction. Looks like it’d be pretty tablet-friendly, too, which I like. No problems with it. Will take some getting used to, but I dig it.

16. keo

    With barbosa signing…..the celtics look like they can make a major run for banner 18 …I think they are the new bench mob in the league…what are your thoughts on the celtics this season

    • Joel Brigham

      Agree with the new Bench Mob, because the Bulls absolutely are not that this year. Avery Bradley (when he gets back), Jason Terry, Leandro Barbosa, Jeff Green, Jared Sullinger… a lot to like there, for sure.

17. Sam S.

    Everyone expects Anthony Davis, MKG, Brad Beal and Damian Lillard to have solid rookie seasons. Is there any other rook out there that could possibly emerge?

    • Joel Brigham

      Jonas Valanciunas and Donatas Motiejunas are both names that are hard to pronounce, but I think both guys will end up on one of the two All-Rookie teams. I love Thomas Robinson’s game, too, but I just don’t think the minutes are going to be there necessarily. Harrison Barnes and Andre Drummond are going to have opportunities to play and contribute from the get-go, so they’ll be in the conversation, too. Not sure how I feel about Dion Waiters yet. There’s something there, and I think we’ll see flashes of it this year. Kid could be a star, or he could be a very frustrating player.

      Valanciunas, though, should be in the Rookie of the Year discussion with Lillard and Unibrow.

18. john

    hi joel,
    I really enjoy your chat! What do you think about J.Butler. I love that kid and how he plays the game. Do you think he can be the Bulls next starter at SF in one year or two??

    • Joel Brigham

      Depends on if they re-sign Luol when his contract his up, and knowing how much the organization loves Lu I can’t imagine they’d let him go as long as the money was somewhere close to reasonable. But yeah, Butler’s got the potential to be a decent ball player, though I don’t know that he’s a full-time starter. He’s good defensively, but he’s not really great at any one thing. Very well-rounded, but I don’t see him standing out enough to be a starter. Rooting for him to be great because he’s a cool kid and a HOOPSWORLD favorite. But let’s take this in baby steps. He’ll get his first real shot to contribute this year. Let’s ease him into this thing.

19. Dennis

    How far do you think a 20 year old Brandon Knight can carry the Pistons this year. And what are your expectations for the Pistons and Lawrence Frank?

    • Joel Brigham

      I think it’ll be Greg Monroe carrying the Pistons, but I like where Brandon Knight is headed as a pro, too. Very talented kid offensively, and he’ll definitely get the minutes he needs to break out. More curious to see what kind of work ethic Drummond has. If he lives up to his potential he’s literally the perfect complement to Monroe, and I’m sure they’d love to build on those three guys moving forward. Lots of detritus on that roster, though. It’s a shame they can’t purge about four or five of those guys and just make a fresh start for themselves.

      Oh, and I’m excited for Kyle Singler, too. I might be the only one.

20. Police for Decent Human Beings

    After hearing Kobe Bryant’s condescending, arrogant, and downright embarrassing comments to Smush Parker where he told him the accolades under his belt meant he deserve to talk to him. Personally do you loose respect for Kobe Bryant the man? Or do these “offcourt” incidents have no bearing on your view of Kobe? He is a great basketball player, and even if he isn’t a great human being has little merit. Your thoughts?

    • Joel Brigham

      Lost in all of this is the fact that Smush Parker is kind of an idiot, too. Look, Kobe has officially reached that point in an NBA player’s career where he truly does not care what he says to the media. He’s a legend, one of the best shooting guards ever, and nothing he says about Smush Parker is going to change that. I will say that I’ve never liked Kobe on a personal level… he’s always put off this wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing kind of vibe and tried too hard to emulate MJ. But he’s pleasant enough to work with, though. He knows how to turn on the charm, at least. Parker was one of the least enjoyable players I ever interviewed. So I don’t really care for either guy and could care less if they rip each other’s throats out verbally all season long. It doesn’t affect me. I side with Kobe, because when you’ve done everything he’s done, you get to talk some trash. He’s never claimed to be a nice guy, so we shouldn’t get upset with him when he proves not to be one.

21. Devonte

    Sounds as if the kings are willing to trade tyreke Evans who I think is a great talent offensively and good on defense with great potential at his position (sg) what would be the asking price from the kings and are there any potential offers in your mind that would work between said parties?

    • Joel Brigham

      Kings fans love them some Tyreke Evans, but I’m famously not a big fan. Totally overrated to me, and I think he’s going to command more money than Sacramento should pay him. So if you can trade him now and return some assets before you’re forced to let him walk away in free agency, I say go for it. I want Isiah Thomas, Aaron Brooks, and Marcus Thornton getting the lion’s share of minutes at the guard spots, so see if you can’t move Evans for a three. That’s what they really need right now.

22. Steve

    Will Seattle get an NBA team soon now that the arena del is passed? Maybe the Kings will relocate and little Isaiah Thomas will be back in Seattle!

    • Joel Brigham

      Would hate to see Sacramento lose their Kings, because those are some great fans, but if they absolutely are not going to stay then Seattle is the place they should end up. The NBA just hasn’t been the same without the Sonics, and to bring them back would be a great thing for the league. Lemonade out of lemons, I guess.

23. Kyle

    There is this website that says Chicago should trade Deng,Hamilton,Teague,and 2013 first round draft pick for Rudy Gay and Tony Allen. Could this trade happen and would it be a good trade for the Bulls?

    • Joel Brigham

      Don’t know what website that is but it’s a fun idea. Teague is YEARS away. Hamilton is meh. Love Luol, but he’s no Rudy Gay. And I’m sure Tony Allen would love to play Thibodeau defense again. As a Bulls fan, I’d be absolutely fine with that trade. Not a fan of losing Deng, but for Gay? Reasonable sacrifice.

      As for whether or not it will actually happen, I wouldn’t hold your breath. When’s the last time the Bulls made a risky trade? They only make sure-thing trades or salary-dump trades. This one just doesn’t sound like their style, and I have a feeling the higher-ups still think this core is championship-worthy when Rose is healthy. So they’ll let him get there and see what they’ve got. Not saying I agree with that… just saying it’s what is probable.

24. jaimeson

    who has better numbers for Cavs this year, zeller or waiters? don’t think waiters is gonna start over cj miles. zeller might be 1st big off the bench.

    • Joel Brigham

      They’ll be different numbers, obviously, because they play different positions, but I’ll say Waiters for now. I think he’ll get more minutes from the start, while Zeller is going to be behind Tristan Thompson and Andy Varejao. Now, if Andy gets traded, I reserve the right to change my mind. I can just see Dion turning into a pretty good scorer pretty quickly.

25. SenseiOfSoul-Chicago

    I am a frustrated Bulls fan. I suffered through some rough times with this club and hung in tough (The Coach Bill Cartwright experiment, Jay Williams, The Tom Floyd era) but I feel like this team has waaay over performed because 1) Derrick Rose is a special once in a lifetime player, and 2) Thibs is a great coach. That said, I see only lateral movement from Gar-Pax running the show. Boozer was a bust, and although the offseason we signed him, I was pulling for David Lee, who knew I’d be right. Other than that? They let the entire bench mob walk for nothing in return, and missed out on players that have been on our radar forever like Courtney Lee and OJ Mayo. We could have even parleyed Deng who reached his absolute ceiling last year (and mark my words will be mediocre in Rose’s absence) during draft day, but passed. Ainge, Kupchak, and Ferry are movers and shakers – and props to Masai Ujiri too, but I feel like Rose’s talent will be wasted with Gar-Pax in the driver’s seat much longer.

    • Joel Brigham

      Like I just said, it’s a conservative front office. Imagine how frustrated you’d be had they not lucked into Rose back in ’08? Cripes, this would be awful to watch.

      I don’t know where things are headed, but summer of 2014 is where I’ve been told a shakeup may go down. That’s two seasons of this nonsense in the meantime, though, and “shakeup” by Gar/Pax standards could be very underwhelming. I do know this season is going to be disappointing, but as long as there’s Derrick, there’s hope. A lot of NBA franchises don’t have that, so be grateful that we’re not still living in the Tim Floyd era.

      It could be worse. It could always be worse.

      Alright gang, that’s my hour. Thanks for all the great questions! Let’s do it again in a week, but in the meantime have a great weekend, good luck with your fantasy drafts, and go Bulls!

      Follow me on Twitter if you want. Feel like doing some fantasy talk there later. Get at me.