NBA Chat With Joel Brigham, 12/29/2011

1. Nick

   Do you think the Cavs will trade Varajeo, Sessions or Jamison this year? Do you think we can get a 1st rounded for any of them?

   • Joel Brigham

     Good afternoon, HOOPSWORLD Citizens, and welcome to another edition of my weekly chat. A whole lot has happened in the seven days since our last conversation, including the start of the regular season, Christmas, and the most painful fantasy football championship loss of my life. Let’s just put it this way, I ever see Darren Sproles in a dark alleyway, I’ll run the other way because Darren Sproles would destroy me. But late that night, when I was in bed, I’d think of all the ninja moves I would’ve put on him. You know, in my dreams.

     Anyway, let’s get to the questions since there are plenty of them and lots of great NBA stuff to talk about, starting with the Cavaliers, who figure to be one of the more underwhelming teams in the league this year.

     If I was the GM of Cleveland, I’d be looking to jettison pretty much my entire roster in order to start over with Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson. I think Casspi is worth holding onto, and I’m not sure I’d be too pumped about trading Varejao, but anybody else, yes, move them. Jamison is, I believe, an expiring deal, so there is some value to be had in that as the trade deadline gets a little closer in late February, and a first-rounder might not be a ridiculous price assuming ‘Twan is healthy and playing relatively well at that point. That isn’t unreasonable. Sessions has played well early on, but I’m not sure he’s quite as valuable. A first-rounder might be a little optimistic for him.

2. Dennis

   I like what the Pacers have done the past couple of weeks. West and Hill are great additions (by Indiana standards). How far do you think would the Pacers go this season?

   • Joel Brigham

     I’ve been saying since the West signing that I thought Indy could have a shot at homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs, and I haven’t seen anything in the first couple of games that haven’t dissauded me from feeling that way. West is going to take a while to shake off the rust, I think, and Hill is only just working his way into the rotation, but before long both of those guys are going to be major parts of that rotation, and to call them good acquisitions “by Indiana standards” is selling things short. Those were excellent acquisitions by anybody’s standards… Name one team in the league that wouldn’t take on Hill and West while only having to sacrifice cap space and a non-lottery first rounder. You can’t. Both were great moves, and I love where this team is headed, as long as Danny Granger can figure out what it means to defer to teammates that are better than he probably realizes.

3. Kevin in Tokyo

   1. Our Blazers went from playing terrible to a solid win against SAC.. Gerald Wallace is a machine. Can we click and land a 4 seed or higher by season end?
   2. Can Rondo play like this for a whole season? 31/5/13/5, 22/8/12..
   3. Norris Cole.. wow.. Will he start at the 1? Have LBJ play Point Forward.
   4. K.Love will average over 15 rebounds this year.
   5. I predict Mark Jackson Rookie Coach of the Year

   Thank You,
   Go Blazers!

   P.S. The Gerald Wallace chant was awesome.

   • Joel Brigham

     We call this a loaded question. But I’ll be quick:

     1. I don’t see why not. Jamal Crawford was an amazing pick-up, and Aldridge should have his best year yet. And yes, Gerald Wallace remains one of the most underrated players in the league.
     2. He’s going to have to. The Celtics are 0-2 even with those two monster games.
     3. Eventually, I’m thinking that’s what’ll happen. It’s not like Battier has blown us away or anything yet. But Cole has…
     4. I agree. He did last year.
     5. That’s not a real award. Predict him as Coach of the Year or predict him as nothing. That’s how it worked for Tom Thibodeau in Chicago last season!

4. paul in chicago

   Miami looks scary, are we toast? i doubt boozer will ever get it and we definitely need more scoring. Is there anyway we could acquire JR Smith one the season in china ends

   • Joel Brigham

     J.R. Smith isn’t happening. Richard Hamilton is the guy they’ve committed to for the next 2-3 years, so unless he ends up a complete and utter failure, don’t look for any other major two-guard signings. And really, once Rip gets the swing of things (he’s only played with the team for three games, one of which was a preseason game), he’s really going to help this team a lot. The Bulls haven’t gotten the offense going yet, but they will.

     All that said, yes Miami is scary. They’re my preseason pick to win the ring this year, but they’re just one D-Wade or LBJ injury away from that not necessarily being the case. That aside, I just don’t see anybody tackling those guys in a seven-game series. And yes, that makes me just as unhappy as it makes everybody else.

5. Chris

   Hi Joel. Is Addidas really preventing Dwight from considering Chicago? This theory doesn’t make much sense. Together, Rose & Dwight would be serious title contenders for the next 10 years. Plus, they would form one of the most dominant duos in NBA history. Hard to see Addidas’ national/international shoe sales not going through the roof.

   • Joel Brigham

     I really, really doubt that’s what is behind Chicago’s absence from Dwight’s “list.” From what John Paxson insinuated in a radio interview with the local ESPN station, Howard’s agent doesn’t think there are the same kinds of endorsement opportunities in Chicago as there would be in L.A. or New York, so they aren’t even entertaining offers from the Bulls right now. The other part of it is that Derrick Rose simply does not recruit. He wants guys on his team that want to run with him. If it’s not in Howard’s competitive instinct to be dying to come to Chicago (and as many readers have pointed out, it’s kind of amazing that this isn’t the case), then Rose isn’t going to massage his ego to get him to come up here. He didn’t do it with D-Wade or LeBron, either.

     Perhaps it’s just my blatant homerism, but I have a really hard time understanding why none of those three guys–Wade, LeBron, or Dwight–was dying to play for the Bulls. Dwight especially, because a year ago Rose and Thibs weren’t yet what they have become. Is it the city? The organization? Ownership? What? I really wish I knew, but I don’t know. Neither does anybody else.

6. Chris G

   How many games will it take before we get a true idea of who is good this year and who is not? Two games clearly isn’t enough.

   • Joel Brigham

     Usually you start to get some sense about a quarter of the way through the season, so in a normal year that’s 20 games. This year, it’s more like 16. By that point, everybody has played a good mix of strong and weak teams, home and road games, and some kind of rough stretch, whether it be a road-trip or a handful of back-to-backs. Teams can start hot, go something like 7-1, but after 16 games, things will start evening. That same team might end up 9-7, or 13-3, but one way or another you really have a sense of things at about 25% of the way through the year.

7. Anthony Pascua

   The Lakers are really playing some scrappy defense. Once Bynum comes back, how much more better will the defense improve?

   • Joel Brigham

     As an English teacher, I’ve got to admit that “how much more better” reeeeeeally bothers me. But I’ll let it go because this is a safe place where even grammatically incorrect readers can pose their questions.

     Now that I’ve fully chided you, I think it’s pretty obvious that getting Bynum back is really going to help this team rebound (and I mean that in both a literal and figurative way). Holding onto that lead against the Bulls on Christmas would’ve really helped their season, but instead things just haven’t gone all that well. Getting your third best player back absolutely will help.

8. Shad

   Paul Milsap and Raja Bell for Marcus Thortan and Jason Thompson, who says no?

   • Joel Brigham

     Sacramento. Thornton is killing it, and I haven’t seen anything so far this year to make me think he won’t be a top 20-25 scorer in the league this year. You don’t move that for Millsap and Bell, and you certainly don’t throw Thornton into the deal as well.

9. Alec

   Hey JB, why does a often injured Bynum get more hype than R Hibbert? Or even McGee? I understand they all play with different styles n all, but seriously, why all of the hype for Bynum? He been in the league how long? Not one all star appearance, already been given a max contract, and needs rehab every other minute. I see him as Ben Wallace type when he signed in Chicago. All hype, and nothing more.

   • Joel Brigham

     At least Ben Wallace warranted the money at some point in his career. He had a great handful of amazing seasons in Detroit. Bynum has a hard time topping 60 games every year. I think part of the reason he gets so much more hype than Hibbert or McGee is that a.) He plays in L.A., which gives him a much huger spotlight than media in D.C. or especially Indiana, and b.) When healthy, he’s been a lot more consistent than those other guys. I’m a huge fan of Roy Hibbert, less so for McGee, but both have brighter futures than Bynum. Right now, though, Bynum is probably better because he’s more proven.

     But that’s just me playing devil’s advocate. For the most part, I really agree with your observation.

10. Dylan

    How do you predict the Bobcats doing this season? What do you predict from Bismack and Kemba?

    • Joel Brigham

      I’m not optimistic about Biyombo. I know he was drafted to be a sort of Ben Wallace type, but he’s very, very far behind compared to other rookie big men in the class. He’s a freak of nature physically, and I think there’s a good chance that he could eventually be among the league’s best shot-blockers, but offensively this kid is brutal. It’s hard to keep somebody like that on the floor unless their dominant defensively and really hauling in the boards. I don’t think Biyombo is there yet. Prepare for a very, very painful rookie season.

      Kemba could be Rookie of the Year. I’ve been saying he’s my favorite rookie since before the draft, and I was really disappointed to see a kid that good at basketball drop all the way to the 9th pick. He absolutely is a winner, and I’d be shocked if he didn’t lead all rookies in scoring. Love this kid, and I think Charlotte is going to love him, too.

11. Tj

    Isn’t monta Ellis a better version of d rose I don’t think Lebron could’ve shut him down an also why in earth did the bulls give up Norris cole he better than cj Watson right now an you give the one team in your way the piece they need dumb

    • Joel Brigham

      Sigh.

      No, Monta Ellis is not “a better version of d rose.”

      As for the Bulls not keeping Norris Cole, he wasn’t their pick. They never were going to use both first-rounders, so they were shopping that pick long before Cole became the pick. Chicago wanted Jimmy Butler, and they got him. They just wanted to cash out the other pick. But yes, Miami got a nice little player out of that deal.

12. rubs93

    JB,

    3 things Kyle “hot sauce” Kover has to do well to get regular playing time in loaded bulls rotation:

    • Joel Brigham

      I don’t think it’s going to happen this season. Brewer looks really good, and with the addition of Hamilton that’s going to really cut into Korver’s minutes. The three things he needs to do are play defense, play defense, and play defense, but Korver can’t play defense. Further proof that it’s not looking good for his playing time in 2012.

13. andrew

    Do you think Vinny Del Negro is the right coach for the clips? I don’t see him as the one taking the clippers deep into the playoffs. Also, do you think expectations for the clippers are too high?

    • Joel Brigham

      Del Negro is not a great NBA coach. Like a lot of people, I was pretty shocked he got another shot at a head coaching job after the Bulls situation ended so brutally, and I think he’s massively underequipped to deal with a roster this talented. So yes, as long as he’s the coach, the expectations for this team are too high. I will be shocked if Del Negro ever coaches a team to a championship. That’s something a lot of the bandwagoners have forgotten…

14. Keefe

    Are you surprised at Calderon’s minutes this year?
    I thought bayless was gonna be the starter and now he’s not even given enough minutes.
    Do you think they are trying to showcase calderon’s skills as a pg to boost his trade value?

    • Joel Brigham

      It’s certainly a possibility, but Calderon is still a pretty good point guard. Maybe the organization’s belief in Bayless isn’t as strong as we thought.

15. Johnnie

    Why don’t the Lakers get Ramon Sessions? He’s Cheap, Young, and great in penetration which is highly needed for the Lakers. Trade the odom exception and a first round pick.

    • Joel Brigham

      That feels like a lot for Sessions, so if I’m Cleveland and that’s the offer, I hop all over it, even though it leaves Cleveland pretty thin at point guard. Meanwhile it gives the Lakers a much-needed backup point guard, because right now things are looking pretty rough at that spot.

16. Shad

    If you had pick,which trade package would you prefer: the Knicks package sent to Denver, or the Nets package sent to Utah?

    • Joel Brigham

      The Denver package. Wilson Chandler is the only guy from either trade that I can see maybe being an All-Star (and yes, I know Devin Harris was an All-Star once, but won’t be again), and Gallinari and Felton were pretty good second and third players, too. Honestly, though, neither was an awful trade. The Jazz and Nuggets both got about as respectable a haul as one could expect considering the situation.

17. Anthony

    Do you think Jimmer will be top 5 in jersey sales? Possible J-will popularity for the Kings.

    • Joel Brigham

      I like Jimmer as a kid, but I think he’s going to underwhelm as an NBA player. I’m guessing something in the 8-9 ppg range. So if his jersey sales are great, it’s only because the chicks dig him, not because his play deserves it. Even if he is a top five jersey seller, though, it will never be as unfair as Tebow earning top sales in the NFL his rookie year despite not even being the starter until the end of the season. But that’s a whole other argument…

18. Charlie

    Watched the Warriors first three games, and all that playoff talk preseason is starting to sound not as crazy. Mark Jackson is able to bring Epke Udoh, Kwame Brown, and Brandon Rush off the bench, making them a semi-deep team. What seed do you project the Warriors will finish at the end of the season and why?

    • Joel Brigham

      I kind of like the Warriors this year. Monta Ellis is a really exciting player, and Steph Curry continues to defy his size by dominating the crap out of opponents (when he’s healthy). David Lee is primed for a comeback year (and I love David Lee), like you said, the bench is deep. I can see them in the 4-6 range by the time the season ends. I definitely think they’ll end up in the Western Conference playoff picture. Mark Jackson’s going to have fun coaching this group, and we’re all going to have fun watching them.

19. Ric Flair

    Sup Joel! Do you think Toney Douglas has what it takes to be the starting PG for the Knicks? Can he change his scorer’s mentality and focus on distributing the rock?

    • Joel Brigham

      He’s not the answer there. I think the Knicks are going to do fine this year, but losing Billups is going to hurt them, at least while they wait for Baron Davis to get healthy. That’s when things will really start getting interesting. But two assists from your starting PG? Yeesh. Chandler’s looking a little disappointing right now, too, isn’t he?

      Despite the early struggles, I feel pretty strongly that this is a team that will come together and play very, very well before it’s all said and done. But no, Toney Douglas isn’t a long-term answer at point guard.

20. matt

    Ppl say melo,stat and chandler are the best frontcourt in the nba. I think Gay,Zach and “el tanque” Marc Gasol are much better. Those 3 have grit, have underdog spirit, are younger, Marc is a world champ with spain, and don’t act like they’re all that.

    • Joel Brigham

      That’s a fair argument. They do different types and things and have very different playing styles, but your argument is a good one. I think you see three studs lined up like that in New York and assume that it’s the best. But Memphis is right there. Chicago, LAC, and Indiana all have good ones, too.

21. T.Z.

    Do the Suns actually expect to make some noise this season? If they aren’t gonna trade for Iguodala or someone of his caliber, they need to just trade Nash & Hill & rebuild already, right?

    • Joel Brigham

      Looks like they’re going to sign Michael Redd soon here, so no. They’re going to stay old for at least another year.

22. T.Z.

    Do you think that with a strong showing this season, Paul George can gain enough status to be tradeable for Eric Gordon?

    • Joel Brigham

      Really interesting thought… I don’t know that New Orleans is going to have the gumption to extent Eric Gordon, particularly if the NBA isn’t able to find a buyer for the team before the deadline. If that’s the case, trading him to team that will pay him (and Indy would be ecstatic to do so) would be reasonable as long as they could return a couple of players on rookie contracts to keep the team competitive and attractive to potential buyers. The Pacers would be a great ending place for EG, and Paul George could be an ideal target as part of a trade. I don’t think he’s enough on his own to get New Orleans to bite, especially since Gordon is the main piece of the Chris Paul trade, but it’s a good idea for a start. Not impossible, I suppose, especially if George has a great year.

      Alright folks, that’s my time. Thanks for all the great questions, and I hope to get many more a week from now. Have an excellent rest of your 2011, and I’ll see you back here next year!