NBA Chat With Joel Brigham, 2/28/13

1. Jim in CyberSpace

   Noah must have the “ugliest” stroke in the league?

   Maybe Chicago used to seeing it…as an OKC fan…Perkins is better.

   His FT attempts…key word is attempts is like a middle school girls two handed push shot???? What about his “stroke” from the field? I know size matters…come playoff time foul-a-noah…first round…out the door.

   • Joel Brigham

     Good afternoon, HOOPSWORLD Citizens, and welcome to another edition of my weekly chat! With the trade deadline over, we’re now shifting our focus to lean more on the impending playoffs, the onset of March Madness (at least from an NBA standpoint… which NCAA stars will be difference makers in the League next year?), and we’ll also get a head start on free agency and the draft and all that great offseason stuff. Fantasy hoops are still on the table, too.

     In the world of me, I bought my first-ever brand new car yesterday, a 2013 Honda Accord, and I’ve got to say the technology has advanced quite significantly since my last car purchase (a 2002 Honda Civic that gifted me 175,000). This thing is an absolutely an amazing bit of technology, but the Ford and Toyota I test-drove were pretty impressive, too. If you haven’t seen the new Fusion, go Google it real quick. It’s gorgeous.

     In any event, let’s get onto some NBA chatter, and we’ll start with Joakim. Let me begin answering this question by pointing out that Noah shoots 74.4% from the charity stripe, which is 9th in the league among centers. He’s more accurate from there than Nik Pekovic, Roy Hibbert, Greg Monroe, Al Horford… a lot of guys you’d think would be better than him. But not the case. That shot is oogly, but it’s reasonably effective.

     And yeah, we’re used to it in Chicago, but we also know how nasty that shot looks. We’ve grown to love it, though.

2. LA in LA

   Hey Brigham I saw your “Deadline” articles and had 3 questions:

   1)I don’t see how you put the Gasol trade as steal. The Grizzlies traded their best player for the rights to a player who wouldn’t surpass the one they traded for until 4 years. Meanwhile Lakers one two titles.
   I understand your logic but I can’t call a trade a steal if the team that got stolen from would do the trade again with same pieces.

   2)Were you intentionally being humorous by putting Grizzlies as part of biggest steal and simultaneously “worst deal?”

   3) In an unrelated question, once Rose comes back, assuming he stays healthy, what are the odds Bulls move either Nate or Kirk in summer and let M.Teague be the 3rd string PG?

   • Joel Brigham

     1. Long-term, it ended up a steal. Short-term, it was a steal for the Lakers. Rarely does a trade work out so well for both teams, but on two wildly different time frames.

     2. See my answer to #1. Depending on when you looked at the trade, it was either awful for the Grizzlies, or great for them. Now, it looks like a steal. At the time, they looked like morons. I think it belonged on both lists.

     3. Nate doesn’t have a contract beyond this season, so should Rose come back healthy and strong, I imagine they’ll just let Nate walk and move Marquis Teague up the depth chart. Kirk makes about $4 million next season, but the Bulls aren’t really gunning for cap space until the summer of 2014, so he’ll still be a part of this roster next season, one way or another. When healthy, he’s still a really good defender, and that’s something Tom Thibodeau obviously values a lot.

3. Giovanni

   The Cavs are in need of a small forward. Who are your top draft prospects at the SF position?

   • Joel Brigham

     If the season ended today and the lottery worked out according to plan, the Cavaliers would currently own the 8th pick in the draft. I think right around there you’d be taking a good, long look at Georgetown’s Otto Porter or Kentucky’s Alex Poythress. That might be a little high for either guy, but both are pretty talented and likely lottery picks. Indiana’s Victor Oladipo is 6’5″, which probably makes him more of an NBA two-guard, but he’s played some three for the Hoosiers and would still be worth considering at that spot. He’s one of my favorite guys in this draft. There’s an international kid named Dario Saric who plays small forward, and he’s supposed to be pretty good, but I don’t know enough about him to speak intelligently about his fits with Cleveland. He’s projected as a first-rounder, but who knows with those Euro kids.

     If it has to be a three, I say roll with Poythress.

4. LA in LA

   Remember when we discussed how GSW might be committing a lot of money to Curry considering his ankle history but that if he was healthy he’d be a steal?
   Right now he, and Jrue must be shaking their head’s like “man, I could have made SO much more money if THIS was the last year of my contract”. It’s Rajon Rondo all over again.

   • Joel Brigham

     Well, congratulations to the Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers for finagling great values out of two up-and-comers who actually up-and-came. That said, I think there are two things to say about this:

     1. Steph Curry will ALWAYS be an injury risk with that ankle. As amazing as he’s played this season (how ’bout that game last night?), that’s a long contract for a guy who’s generally struggled to stay on the floor. The kid’s a killer from deep, but can he stay healthy?

     2. It’s not like either guy signed for $7-8 million a year. These guys are both on eight-figure salaries that are going to end up in the $11-12 million/per range. That’s not chump change, and certainly more than enough value for either. Could they have gotten a couple more million per year if they were heading to free agency this summer? Yup. But if one of them got hurt waiting one more year to sign, they could’ve lost it all. I’m guessing both are pretty happy with their compensation. I know I sure would be, and I wouldn’t be driving a Honda Civic right now if that were the case!

5. JP

   Hi Joel! I have some questions for you today!
   A-Do you think that Oladipo is Timberwolves missing piece to be a conteder (along with health) or should we take short term answer in JJ Redick?
   B-In your opinion, should Minnesota get more top picks in this year draft or seek veterans?
   C-Or would it be enough with just drafting Oladipo & Hardaway along with the arrival of Bjelica?
   D-What would you do?
   Thanks!

   • Joel Brigham

     A. Oladipo is one of my favorites. Going to be a great middle-of-the-lottery selection and exactly the kind of guy I see rising up boards at the last minute. Before it’s all said and done, I wouldn’t be shocked if he ends up a top-seven pick. He’s exactly what Minnesota needs, so for their sake I hope he maybe drops a little bit later than 7, but yes, absolutely a great fit there.

     B/C/D. Two first-rounders (and two 2nd rounders) is more than enough youth for now. I don’t think JJ Redick is something they need to be looking at, nor do I think Redick would really be all that interested in playing for the Wolves. Grab a couple of swingmen for now, use the offseason to get Rubio back to 100%, and hope and pray to the basketball gods that Kevin Love decides at some point that he’d like to stay in Minneapolis. If he doesn’t, the Wolves will REALLY be in rebuilding mode when that contract ends, which is why I’d advocate just staying the course, drafting good youngsters, and staying away from too many long-term veteran signings. Don’t hamper yourself financially in case Love leaves and you’re forced to rebuild.

6. robb

   Trade deadlines over, but does Granger get dealt at the draft or before the deadline next year? Theres no way they keep him and let him expire do they? Would clear cap room though.

   • Joel Brigham

     I think we’ll see more interest in Granger around the draft than we did at the trade deadline, and that’s just because Granger hasn’t been healthy all year. Now that he’s back, he’s scored only 7 total points in two games, so there’s a way to go before teams start throwing the kitchen sink at Indiana to get this guy, but I absolutely think the Pacers will look at moving him this offseason. With Paul George’s emergence, they can afford to trade away his scoring, especially if brings back some frontcourt depth (which they need right now and will need even more if David West signs with a different team this offseason).

     For now, though, I’m a big Granger fan and am happy to have him back with the team. Hoping for big things from the Pacers this year, and it would be nice for Granger to be a big part of it, at least for one more year. Long-term, though, I just don’t think he’s a major part of the plan.

7. Beau

   Is there a better fit in the draft this year than Shabazz to the Cavaliers?

   • Joel Brigham

     Something about Nerlens Noel in Washington makes a lot of sense to me, but no, you’re right, there’s no more appropriate pairing than those two right there. If Shabazz ends up the NBA star I think he’ll be, then he and Kyrie Irving could be a ridiculous tandem for like a decade out there. Cavs fans need to keep their fingers crossed that they end up with a top three pick, and not another #4 pick for the organization to use as another gamble selection. Nothing against Dion Waiters or Tristan Thompson, but I definitely would’ve made different picks in both instances. Top three, Cleveland must go Shabazz!

8. Quai

   Joel, with Granger back in action with Indy. Do you believe they actually have a chance at beating Miami in a 7-game series? Also any buyout candidates?

   • Joel Brigham

     I kind of thought Indiana already had a shot at Miami even before Granger came back. They’re one of the top defensive teams in the league and have been more successful against the HEAT the last couple of years than any other team I can think of. They’re well-coached, well-balanced, and have the bad taste from last year’s Eastern Conference semifinals still in their mouths. That’s a recipe for one heck of a series, whoever ends up winning it.

     That said, Miami ends up winning it. LeBron is on another plane right now. This one is the HEAT’s to lose. Again.

9. Cheesy T

   Is Bynum gunna play this year?

   • Joel Brigham

     That is one heck of a question. Unlike Derrick Rose, who we know is practicing all-out and getting himself in game shape, and unlike Granger, who’s already back, Bynum just isn’t showing signs that he’s anywhere close to getting back onto the hardwood. There was a little chatter before the All-Star break that he’d be back in February, but that didn’t happen. Now, Bynum is back to practice as well, but he’s SO out of shape that it’s going to take some time for him to get right. Philadelphia would love to sneak into the bottom of the East’s playoff picture as an eight seed, but I don’t think Milwaukee is going to relinquish their hold there. What does Bynum help at this point? And, more importantly, does Philly even consider offering him a deal this offsason?

     It makes nauseous to think about that, but that’s why I’m not paid to make those multi-million dollar decisions. If I’m a Sixers fan, I say no thanks and look towards other ways to spend that cap space.

10. Devin Brooks

    Please answer my question. If you are Joe Dumars and you have 28-33 millions to play with this summer. WHAT players do you target..? Give me a few of them, and they dont have to be free agents.

    • Joel Brigham

      I think it’s going to be hard to lure a free agent out to Detroit right now. No one comes to those games and the team just hasn’t amounted to much the last few seasons. I love the core of Brandon Knight, Greg Monroe, and Andre Drummond, so I suppose they could chase a wing scorer like Monta Ellis or O.J. Mayo, or a bigger swingman to run the three, though those are a little rarer in this free agency class. (at least the young, potentially available ones are).

      The best bet for Detroit is getting those three guys already there to grow and continue to develop together. If they keep showing the growth, the Pistons could end up looking very, very good again in the not-too-distant future.

11. Jeffrey

    Prior to the season I was a bit skeptical of the Anthony Davis and Tim Duncan comparisons, for you what rookies have really surprised you at how well they have been able to adjust to the NBA game?

    • Joel Brigham

      The comparison I heard most often for Anthony Davis was Marcus Camby, and from what I’ve seen so far that one feels incredibly fair. I don’t know that Anthony Davis is a future All-Star necessarily, but he’ll be the kind of guy who’s kinda sorta in the conversation for the accolade every year. Defensively he’s been strong, but man, that offensive game needs some work. I’ve seen enough to feel optimistic; I think he just needs a couple more years to find himself in the pros. He’s still just so young a prospect.

      I think Andre Drummond has to be considered the biggest surprise thus far, even though he’s been hurt. A lot of us had him pegged as a slightly better Hasheem Thabeet v2.0, and he’s been so much more than that. His rebounding numbers in very limited minutes have been scary, and if he can manage 30 minutes a night next season I think he’s the guy Detroit ends up building around.

      Can’t say Dame Lillard was much of a surprise, because once I saw him in Summer League I knew he’d be the real deal. John Henson’s periodic success has been somewhat surprising to me, too, and I’ve been very surprised to see how little Thomas Robinson played in Sacramento. I really thought he’d be one of the three best rookies in this class, and things just haven’t panned out that way.

12. Quincy

    With buyout season looming..who gets let free?

    • Joel Brigham

      Omri Casspi is one I think will get bought out of his contract in Cleveland. I’ve been hearing those rumblings for a while now and it looks like it’s sort of coming to a head today, finally. Beno Udrih is a possibility in Orlando (because what are they going to do with him?), and maybe Chris Kaman in Dallas. I’ve heard Raja Bell and Corey Maggette at times, too, but the most recent chatter on those two is that it’s not happening.

      Not a list of All-Stars, by any means, but there are some serviceable guys there that could help any of a number of playoff teams.

13. Caitlin

    What do you see the Celtics doing during the off-season?

    • Joel Brigham

      It really sort of depends on how things go in the playoffs and where Kevin Garnett’s head ends up when the season is over. If he retires, it’s probably time to blow it up. If Boston ends up back in the conference finals, which is unlikely but not impossible, as they’ve shown us before, then Ainge will probably bring this core back for another slow, painful run.

      I do think they’ll be active, though, and a significant trade involving them is certainly a real possibility. It all just depends on how things go, though.

      Alright folks, that’s my hour. Everyone have a great weekend, and be back here next week for more of the same.

      And go Bulls!