NBA Chat With Joel Brigham, 3/14/13

1. LA in LA

   Agree or disagree- NBA should make it a flagrant when a defender sticks out his foot underneath a shooter. It’s really no different than a typical flagrant foul. Your not making a play on the ball and EVERYONE knows it is likely to end in an injury. Refs should be able to review any time a player hurts his ankle after a jumpshot and decide whether to call a flagrant.
   You might say “it wasn’t intentional”. But it doesn’t matter. A good portion of “raking flagrants” aren’t intentional but because the offensive player gets hit in the face while the defender is going for the ball, they get the F1, regardless of if the play looked malicious.
   And it’s not like it happens so often it would ruin defense if that was called a flagrant (one or two)

   • Joel Brigham

     Good afternoon, HOOPSWORLD Citizens, and welcome to another edition of my weekly chat! I’ve had a monster week working my many various jobs, gearing up for my daughter’s third birthday on Monday, and planning a summer trip to Disney World that is proving entirely more challenging than I ever imagined possible. Heap on that drubbing the Bulls took in Sacramento last night, and I’m having quite the Thursday. Luckily, I’ve got stuff like this to cheer me up.

     In any event, the big NBA headline this morning is Kobe Bryant’s serious ankle injury, which HOOPSWORLD Chat All-Star LA in LA has, predictably, asked about. My first reaction to watching the play was absolute certainty that Lakers Nation would lose their mind over this, and with good cause. I’ve watched the clip a million times today trying to figure out how I feel about it, and I think it’s important to remember that a foul was, in fact, called on that play. To make that a flagrant would be a challenging thing in-game, but I could see the league determining it was a flagrant after the affect and assessing the F1 (plus fines or whatever else) later. It might not help in a close game like the ATL/LAL game was, but it’d deter more players from doing the same thing.

     Fact is, that sort of defense really is dangerous, and while I don’t think Dahntay Jones went into it trying to hurt anybody, you can get caught up in the moment a little at times like that. How many of us have done something similar in pickup ball? You don’t go into the game thinking, “I’m gonna hurt their best player,” but sometimes in the heat of the moment you slap at a ball a little too hard, or stick your knee out to trip the guy up or something. It just sorta happens, and if the guy got hurt, you’d feel awful. It’s the subconscious at play, I suppose.

     Either way, sucks for Lakers fans, and I’m glad I traded Kobe for Derrick Rose (a keeper because of how late he was drafted) and a future 2nd rounder in my fantasy league. I’ve looked bad for doing that all season. A hurt Kobe would’ve killed me just in time for the playoffs, anyway. (Is that too callous of me? Can’t I live in my pretend basketball world for a minute? Just a minute? No? Okay. Fine, sorry Kobe.)

2. keo

   I asked you this in the beginning of the season but you said it was to soon maybe in the middle or end of the season you can so heres the question agian.

   I know someone is doing top players in each position in todays current season but can you do top 10 players of each position all time? i love these kind of articles and i am sure other people do to

   • Joel Brigham

     That sounds like great fodder for the summer after actual current basketball slows down. I’ve made a note. I’m game for that, especially since I’m the one who typically writes those types of articles, anyway. I love digging into the historical stuff. Remind me in August.

3. SatBchMagicer

   Hi Joel, hope you recovered from 42-pt beatdown @SAC(talk about wheels falling off!); Mar. 14, 2013, as an avid fan/follower/writer about everything Bulls, in your opinion: Are we going to see Rose back? If yes, When? Lastly, again in your ‘better educated than most(in this field)’- Should the Bulls bring back Rose: any regular season 12/13, 12/13 playoffs only or not until 13/14?

   • Joel Brigham

     As the avid fan/follower/writer about everything Bulls, you have to know that I get asked this by peers and colleagues on a daily basis, and I’m finally to the point where I can only throw up my hands and tell people, “Your guess is as good as mine!” There are a million excuses we could make for Derrick right now, that his knee’s not 100%, that he’s overcompensating and having hamstring issues as a result, but at this point it really does appear to be a mental thing. Personally, I believe the only way he’ll get over the hump is to actually get out there and play, to show himself everything is okay, but it’s a decision he has to make. And I don’t see him making it any time soon. I really don’t. Everything in the media the last couple weeks has been about how he’s not ready, about how we all need to be as patient with the process as he’s trying to be. That doesn’t sound anything like, “Yup, I’m almost there, just need a little more time.” It sounds more like, “Maybe I’m not ready for this season.”

     As for should the Bulls bring him back, it’s not their decision. I do think Rose, for his own mental well-being, needs to get this transition back into the game over with before the summer hits, so he can hit the weights and the gym with a full head of steam, but I just don’t know. I really don’t.

     Your guess is as good as mine.

4. Deven

   Hi Joel. Two questions to ask:

   1)As a Knicks fan, how worried should I be about this team moving forward?

   2)Is Denver greater than New York after that blowout game or are both teams fairly even?

   • Joel Brigham

     1. The team is old, and everybody is hurt. I would say you should be very worried about this team moving forward. Amar’e looks irreparable. Melo is ailing now, too. Knicks fans must’ve had a heart attack watching Tyson Chandler bang up his knee again last night. Jason Kidd, Marcus Camby, Kurt Thomas, and Rasheed Wallace are four of the six oldest players in the league. Pablo Prigoni is the oldest rookie ever, and now we’re throwing Kenyon Martin (also old-ish) into the mix… They’re just not a young, exciting team. They WERE an impressive veteran team clicking very nicely at the start of this season, but not the wheels are falling off. Doesn’t look good.

     2. I don’t think either has a real shot at winning a title, but it’s a classic Win-Now team vs. a Build-For-Later team, and in that regard the Nuggets definitely have the brighter future. Man, is that ever a fun team to watch. Ty Lawson and Kenneth Faried have become two of my favorite players in the entire NBA. I much prefer them over New York. In the Eastern Conference, Denver would make the conference finals. Just sayin’…

5. Deven

   What happened to the Bulls last night? They got creamed!

   • Joel Brigham

     Honestly, I think Derrick not coming back is starting to bother them. We all sort of thought he’d be back after the All-Star break, so the Bulls played all-out leading up to that point and looked like one of the better teams in the East despite not having their best player. Then, when that best player DIDN’T come back, it sort of killed the momentum. It’s like dating a girl for two years, and everybody knows on your two-year anniversary you’re supposed to propose, but then you don’t. The relationship can be a little awkward after that for a while. It’s not that you can’t ever get married, just that you didn’t do it when everybody was ready for it, and some people will never stop being bitter about it.

     I hope that analogy made sense. I’m not a smart man, but I do my best.

6. Wil

   Hi Joel, I agree with D-Rose that he should come back when he is ready and if I was management I would have been saying all along that he probably won’t play this year. BUT, how much do players image factor-in? Remember those adds about D-Rose being the focus of Chicago and working to come back? You took the money, you sold the image, now man-up. Sorry, had to say it.

   • Joel Brigham

     It’s like when a pizza delivery place says they’ll be there in 45 minutes, but they know they’ll be there in 30. If it comes early, you’re pleasantly surprised. It’s 45 minutes, at least you were prepared for 45 minutes. I get what you’re saying about what the team’s message should’ve been, but they want him back. I think by intimating that he’d be back this year, they thought it would help motivate Rose to have a goal in mind that included the 2013 playoffs. There’s no way for me to know that for sure, but it’s a thought.

     As for manning up, there are lot of Bulls fans that agree with you. I just don’t want Derrick to break himself again. I can’t go through another year of this.

7. dub

   Joel man i’m struggling to see what the raptors are doing. They traded away a promising young pf and a pg with one of the best assist to turnover ratio’s for a sf with the same skills as derozan. I know gay may be a little better but how much better did that make their team? They have a glut of SF’s including fields being paid a rediculous price off the bench. Nobody in this world will take on bargnani. They are capped out of money and have no sense of direction. On top of that im starting to doubt dwane casey as he’s inability to draw up offensive plays. Is it just me or are they a mess?

   • Joel Brigham

     I’ll put it this way: Are unrestricted free agents every going to look at Toronto as a potential destination and say, “Yes, please!” Even Steve Nash passed. The only way you’re going to get an All-Star quality player is by drafting one or trading for one. That’s what they did with Gay. Whomever else they have, however long they keep them, Gay is someone they felt was a player they could build around. I agree with you that I’d do things a little differently, because you can get Gay’s numbers in ways that are MUCH more cost-effective, but he’s been a solid guy in Toronto and should be even better after a training camp and full offseason with the new team. It could be worse. You could be a Bobcats fan.

8. Kyle

   What major moves should the Bulls do this offseason to surround Derrick Rose with more talent? Is it time to finally trade Luol Deng and get some promising young talent back in return. Thanks

   • Joel Brigham

     What I think is going to happen is… nothing. I feel pretty confident that the Bulls are going to hold onto Rose, Noah, Deng, Boozer, Jimmy, Kirk, and Taj, then pick veterans up off the scrap heap to make a team happen and hope that’s enough to make noise in the postseason. That’s what I think is going to happen.

     If the Bulls do make a “major” move, though, it will probably have to be Deng that goes. There’s no way they’re trading Rose or Noah, and they’ve been trying to trade Boozer for the last two years to no avail. He’s not even an expiring contract next season, which means he’ll be impossible to move once again. Those are the team’s big contracts, so really all that leaves is Deng or Gibson to bring in another reputable piece. Either guy could bring back a decent return, but like I said, I don’t know that the Bulls are going to do anything. They’re a notoriously conservative team when it comes to trades, so I’ve learned never to expect anything crazy. Crazy almost never happens with this front office. They’re safe to a fault.

9. John Curtis

   If you had to smell the shoes of one NBA player to save the world, whose shoes would you smell?

   • Joel Brigham

     My dear friend John Curtis. If the shoes were new, I would smell any of them. If they were sweaty and I were forced to endure the aroma as punishment for something, I’d go with Shaq. His kicks were cavernous, which leads me to believe there’d be more room to mix in fresh air with the pungent stench of stinky feet. I feel like smaller feet would mean a more concentrated scent.

     Just an outstanding question, John. Thank you. I’m sure NBA fans will sleep better having had that one answered.

10. Readman23

    Do you think John Paxson/Gar Forman will be fired if there so called 2014 plan doesn’t work( landing a elite player to play with Rose)?
    They should’ve been gone in my opinion!

    • Joel Brigham

      It’s hard to fire them considering the Bulls made the Conference Finals a couple years ago, had the best overall record in the East for two consecutive years, and have only been awful this season because Rose hasn’t been able to play. There are two other All-Stars on the roster in Deng and Noah, so while it’s easy to clamor for another top-ten talent to run with the Rose, I’ll need you to explain to me how, exactly, that would even be possible. What teams are dangling players better than Noah or Deng right now?

      They’ve got a great coach and decent talent there in Chicago. I’m with you in hoping that 2014 yields something promising, but those two guys’ jobs are safe for now. Don’t forget Nikola Mirtoic is coming, too. If he ends up as good as he’s supposed to be, they’ll look like geniuses.

      And anyway, that’s well over a year away. Let’s not stress ourselves about the summer of 2014 here in the spring of 2013.

11. Joel Brigham

    Hey Joel, hows it going?

    Who do you consider the most toxic player in the league now?

    How much will demarcus cousins demand in the open market if the kings dont offer him an extension?

    • Joel Brigham

      Man, that’s a good question. Honestly, nobody has proven to be a bigger headache for his team this season than DeMarcus Cousins, but if we were to make a list of players like this, I think you’d have to have Dwight Howard on there, too. He’s so talented, and his teams can win games while he’s surly, but there are times when the Lakers just have to wonder if he’s worth the headache. Tyrus Thomas isn’t a fun guy, either, and the Bobcats are bad. I suppose he’s worth mentioning. There are others, I’m sure, I just can’t think of them on the fly. Would make a great Top 5 list, wouldn’t it? If anybody thinks of any more, drop in the comments section. This is open for debate.

      If DMC ever tests the market, he’ll make really good bank. Roy Hibbert and Brook Lopez earned max money last season, so you have to believe Cousins would at least sniff that with his level of talent. I can’t seen him making less than $12 million a year. Probably quite a bit more.

12. jerry

    since dallas is not going to make the playoff, name the players you think the should keep and the reason

    • Joel Brigham

      Honestly, a lot of contracts come off the books next season anyway. Elton Brand and Chris Kaman have deals that expire, and O.J. Mayo has a $4 million player option I have to believe he’ll decline because he’s worth so much more than that now. Even Shawn Marion has an early-termination option, so you could lose him, too. All that leaves is Dirk, Vince, Collison, and Beaubois (plus a few youngn’s, including Jae Crowder). If you’re wanting to see an overhaul, I think you’ll see it next season, though I can’t imagine them letting Dirk retire anywhere but Dallas. You may just have to wait him out before the Mavs can full-out rebuild.

13. RayG

    Hey Joel!
    I was wondering if the bulls amnesty boozer at the off season could they go after a player like iggy or josh smith in the off season. Also do you see them bringing back nate or belinelli

    • Joel Brigham

      The Bulls are not going to amnesty Boozer this summer. He’ll have two years left on his contract, and they certainly aren’t paying him $30+ million to go somewhere else. He hasn’t been an All-Star in Chicago, but he’s been good enough where it’s not financially wise to pay him away. So no, they aren’t using amnesty this summer, so they aren’t going after Iguodala (who’d be a horrible fit alongside Deng) or Josh Smith (who would be very fun to watch in Chicago). If the Bulls spend any money this summer, it’ll be on a shooting guard. Rip is gone, Butler isn’t a natural two, and they need scoring and a deep threat for when Derrick returns. They need that badly.

      As for bringing back Belinelli and Nate, My educated guess is no to Robinson. With Derrick back, they’re three deep at point guard (Hinrich, Teague), and a fourth–especially a volume shooter like Nate–isn’t likely necessary in that scenario. Belinelli I could see coming back for the right price, but the Bulls may want to spend their money elsewhere. They’ve got to be smart about how they use it since this season will mark year 1 of salary cap tax penalties.

14. Jason

    I’m suffering as a Magic fan this year. Coming into the year I expected this type of season but it’s still painful to invest money into season tixs when you’ve had 7 games at home end in 25+ point blow out losses for your home team.

    Who do you think the Magic will target in the draft? I want Shabazz but I’m not sure how he will fit with Harkless and Harris. I wouldn’t complain if we got Marcus Smart or Nerlens Noel either.

    Could we make a run in two years after we’re done paying Gilbert Arenas, SVG, and other old vets like Al and Turk?

    • Joel Brigham

      It usually takes a while for the young talent to develop into All-Star veteran talent, so I’d say you’ve got more than a few years to wait for that. As for who I’d take in the draft, I think Noel (healthy) makes a decent amount of sense. He and Vucevic would make an interesting frontcourt. Marcus Smart would be a nice grab. I’d probably prefer Ben McLemore over Shabazz at this point, but either would be solid. I’ll put it this way: with a top five pick, the Magic would get somebody who could help. There’s really no clear #1 this year since Noel got hurt. It could really be anybody at the top, just like it could be anybody at #5. I think Orlando’s safe in getting a player that can pitch in and help out with their rebuilding process.

      Well, that’s my hour, folks! Thanks for all the great questions, and hopefully I’ll see you all back here next week for more of the same. Have a great weekend, and go Bulls!