NBA Chat With Joel Brigham, 3/21/13

Join Joel Brigham this Thursday at 1:00pm ET to chat about all things hoops, from the oncoming NBA playoffs to the NCAA tournament.  Get your questions in early, and be back here Thursday afternoon to take part in all the fun!

  1. snake vs lion

    Who has the better work athic, kobe or lebron?
    Who is the better leader?
    Both coming from h.school, who would u draft to be your team franchise player and both are 18 years old, who u got?

    • Joel Brigham

      Good afternoon, HOOPSWORLD Citizens, and welcome to another edition of my weekly chat! Today is the first day we’re able to celebrate March Madness by taking part in the annual tradition of crumpling up our brackets and speaking seriously offensive curses under our breath like, “Confoundit” and “Tarnation.” I hope you’re all ready to see things turn to industrial sludge very quickly, because this is about to be a ridiculous tournament. There’s just so much parity here, even among the “top” teams. When Gonzaga is a #1 seed, you know you’re if for some craziness. For the record, my big bracket has Michigan State, Ohio State, Indiana, and Kansas, which MSU taking the whole dang thing. I tend to take risks with these, because you either take the teams with real shot of winning it all (Louisville, Indiana) just like everybody else, or you gamble on a sleeper team and know that if they win, you’re taking home the bacon. I don’t really believe MSU wins this thing, I’m just hoping they do. In my other, less expensive pool, I took Georgetown. Same philosophy.

      Anyway, we can chat about this stuff as much as you want, but I see a lot of NBA in the hopper so let’s skip to that until I see interest shifting. First, the great Snake vs. Lion debate…

      I think at this point in his career, Kobe has the greater work ethic, but that’s only because he has to work harder in the offseason to stay healthy, where LeBron has never stepped onto a basketball court in his life in which he wasn’t the most physically gifted person there. What reason would LBJ have to work extra super hard? I do know that Kobe is waaaaaay more competitive, and I think that plays into things, as well.

      As for who I’d take to start a franchise at age 18, no question it would be LeBron. He was stronger at that age and further along than Kobe was. Obviously, Kobe came along quickly, but when LBJ arrived, he was already here. Long-term, he’s the freak of nature with the skills to go along with it. Kobe was no slouch athletically himself, but at 18 I think LeBron was a far better prospect.

  2. Cain

    How would the Pacers look next season if they managed to sign a guy like Calderon and move Granger for a back-up PF and high draft pick?

    • Joel Brigham

      Well, depending on what happens with David West in free agency this summer, they may need to explore trading Danny Granger for a STARTING power forward if at all possible. I still like the idea of a sign-and-trade with Utah for Paul Millsap, but I doubt anybody is all that interested in Danny right now at that dollar amount with his current health status. Trading him may be tough.

      As for adding Calderon, I could definitely see the advantages of taking on a more traditional point guard to supplement George Hill, but I don’t think he’s the piece that puts them over the top. What they really need is to either keep West or get a hold of Millsap, then let Paul George get another offseason in and see what happens. Roy Hibbert is better than this, too. Lots of potential with this current lineup; just needs time to cultivate.

  3. Chosen One

    Wagwan Joel,
    I was just wondering, why is Rick Carlisle stating Mike James instead of Darren Collison?
    Hes older, and he probably won’t be on the team next season, where as they could develop DC into a better point guard, possible their poing guard of the future. Thoughts ?

    • Joel Brigham

      Good question. I’m guessing James is proving to be a more stable veteran presence, and since this is still a pretty veteran-heavy team, that’s who Carlisle is running with. When the roster falls apart this offseason, perhaps that’s the time to do some more experimenting with D.C. (whom I like very, very much and really wish was getting more playing time.)

  4. LA in LA

    Hey Brigham I have two interesting hypotheticals for you:

    1) Who’d win in a 7 game series: 2008-09 Lakers or last year’s Heat?
    I personally, and not being biased, go with the Lakers simply because they 3 7 footers to take advantage of the Heat’s lack of size PLUS one of those is Lamar Odom who can run unlike a lot of PF’s who the Heat abuse. But enough from me, what’s your thought on it?

    2) Would you rather have Kawhi Leonard or Chandler Parsons? I’ve been thinking of this for month and still don’t know…

    • Joel Brigham

      1. For sure the ’09 Lakers, for all the reasons you’ve mentioned plus we’d be entering that series with LeBron having won zero rings still, and with a tougher opponent that could’ve weighed heavily on him. The Thunder last year were considerably more inexperienced as far as playoffs were concerned, but that Lakers team would come off a lot more seasoned, so on top of the height I think that would be a factor, too. Either way, my gut says Lakers. ’09 Lakers vs. THIS year’s HEAT? I’d probably have to take Miami. LeBron isn’t human.

      2. Kawhi because the ceiling is higher. Parsons has been incredible this season, but I just can’t imagine a situation in which he gets markedly better. Leonard actually still could… I think he’s got another level of break-out potential in him.

  5. Clearlyapothead

    Some US states such as California allow the use of marijuana as a prescription drug for various medicinal purposes such as anxiety, glaucoma, etc. I’m curious, if a NBA player was born in a state with such regulations and was legally prescribed the use of Mary Jane by his doctor. Would the league allow the player use of this substance under its anti-drug program??

    • Joel Brigham

      Nope. There are lot of things that are legal, but not permitted by the league’s anti-drug policy. I don’t envision a world where that changes, because it’s a really slippery slope if you let one guy do it for any reason, even if it’s a medically-approved one.

  6. Ricky

    If you were Bryan Colangelo and Rudy Gay’s agent tells you if you offer him a 3 year / 36 million dollar extension – he’ll sign it today. Do you make this offer? Why or why not.

    • Joel Brigham

      If I’m Bryan Colangelo, I would probably do that. He wanted somebody he felt was a superstar to anchor that team, and that’s what he’s got in Gay. $12 million/season is a massive pay cut for Gay (over 25%), so the Raptors would definitely see that as a bargain and probably jump on it. Big names like Gay tend not to go that cheap.

      If I’m ME, however, I pass on a long-term extension for Rudy. You can get that production for quite a bit less money from other players or even committees of players. If I’m splurging eight figures on a “franchise cornerstone,” it’s for rarer commodities like great point guards, transcendent scorers, or huge and talented centers. Athletic swingmen that score 14-18 ppg, though? Not worth my $12 million per year when I can potentially draft someone who can give me 75% of that for 20% of the cost.

  7. Julian

    If you were GM of the Cavaliers and had the options to change draft picks – Tristan Thompson for Jonas Valanacious or Dion Waiters for Andre Drummond / Harrison Barnes. Are you satisfied with the #4 picks or do you make the change to either?

    • Joel Brigham

      I wanted Valanciunas to go four in 2011 because I’d read so much about how good he is off the pick-and-roll, and with a point guard like Kyrie Irving, that could end up being something pretty special. I liked Tristan Thompson when I met him at the combine–thought he was probably the most charismatic guy there–but I just didn’t think he’d be better than J-Val. Plenty of time to prove me wrong, and neither guy has totally broken out yet, but I’d take that swap in heartbeat.

      The other swap I’d make in an even quicker heartbeat, for Drummond in particular. That would give them a defensive anchor at power forward for, like, ever, and pairing him with Valanciunas in the frountcourt would’ve been pretty fun to watch. Yes, I like that core a lot better, but hindsight is always 20/20.

  8. Bubbles

    If you were starting a team from scratch, which young center would you choose: DeMarcus Cousins, Jonas Valanacious, or Enes Kanter. Easy answer is D-Mo – but would you really start a team around that headcase?

    • Joel Brigham

      Talent-wise, Cousins is obviously the best player there. He’s the only one that has come close to a consistent level of All-Star play, and I’d absolutely gamble on his personality issues if it meant taking that talent on, particularly if I had the option of starting from scratch and finding a coach I thought could handle him. I love Valanciunas, and I’m very curious to see Kanter in a full-time role at some point, but taking anyone other than Boogie here feels like it would be a mistake.

  9. Trevor

    Many people claim the Los Angeles Lakers have just as good a chance of winning as small market teams such as Toronto or Milwaukee due to the salary cap. However, this does not take into account TV deals (which are not shared amoung the 30 teams). The billion dollar deal with LA allows them to exceed the cap, pay the luxury/repeater taxes associated = giving them a greater chance to win. Versus a smaller market team who still has to be financially responsible, leading to less league parity. I have no problem with this – other than the goggle wearing Laker fans who never seem to realize this and claim they are successful because of great management. But the Lakers have 40 million more in payroll than the Raptors this season – that’s two $20 million dollar guys. Hard not to be better year in and year out with this luxury. No? Your thoughts.

    • Joel Brigham

      Yeah, but if you hate teams like that, isn’t it satisfying to see them spend ALL that money and then struggle the way they have? The Lakers are proof that the highest payroll in hoops doesn’t guarantee a championship. Even in baseball, where the Yankees outspend everyone every single year but haven’t won a championship in over a decade, money doesn’t always buy rings. Gripe all you want, but if San Antonio and Oklahoma City can do what they’ve done in small markets, Toronto could, too. I think it’s more a leadership issue there than a financial issue.

  10. Jim in CyberSpace

    San Antonio and OKC 1-2 in some fashion in the WC going into the PO’s?
    LAL, Houston, GS, what team would you prefer to play in the first round, for both SA and OKC? Matchup’s matter in the PO’s.

    • Joel Brigham

      Nothing would make me happier than a Spurs/Lakers first round series. It’d be the must-watch of the whole playoffs, and man, would that be fun. And come on, who wouldn’t watch Thunder/Rockets to see Harden go up against the team that traded him in the offseason? Sometimes, the poetry writes itself…

  11. bill

    hi joel. love your chats. isaiah thomas or toney douglas??? who you like more for sac?

    • Joel Brigham

      Thanks, Bill! I don’t think either guy is someone who leads you to the playoffs, but Isaiah Thomas is the only one of the two that has the ability to take things to another level. When that kid is hot, he’s one of the best scorers in the league. And he’s like 5’3″, so that’s awesome, too.

  12. LA in LA

    Brian Windhorst said in his latest article Bulls will make another run at Lebron when he returns to free agency. So my question for you are:

    1) Would you want that to happen?
    2) How would D.Rose and LBJ fit together on court?
    3) Under the assumption Chicago can’t get LBJ, they have to go after K.Love in 2015 if he invokes his ETO right? It seems that would be a great fit for the team in D.Rose

    • Joel Brigham

      1. OMG yes. LeBron is one of my least favorite players of all time, so much so that I’ve taught my three-year-old daughter to deprecate him pubicly as much as possible. When we have guests over, I ask her what she thinks about LeBron, and her responses are classic. I’ll never get over “The Decision,” and I’ll never like the guy on a personal basis, but he is far and away the best basketball player alive… perhaps the most physically gifted in the history of the game… and there is no way I’m not interested in putting him in my favorite team’s uniform.

      Good God, could you imagine?

      2. Fine. They’d be fine.

      3. Kevin Love is my dream Bull. He would fit in so well with this system and for this coach, and just imagine the Valentine’s Day promotions possible with both Love and Rose on the roster!

  13. LA in LA

    If the big 3 must break up their big 3 due to cap reasons, is it a forgone conclusion that Bosh is the odd man out since LBJ is the King and Wade’s a Heat legend (despite being older)?

    • Joel Brigham

      I think there are a number of different ways you could go there, but I wouldn’t say it has to be Bosh. With Wade farther down the hill than the other two guys, he might be the odd man out, a pox on loyalty. If Brian Urlacher can play for a team other than Chicago, anything’s possible.

  14. ralph lawrence

    assuming kings will stay in sacramento and will have new ownership and management is it safe to say jimmer will be traded this offseason given the fact toney douglas and evans will be re-signed this offseason? maybe trade jimmer, james johnson and some other parts for maybe a solid SF? do they have a chance to trade for danny granger?

    • Joel Brigham

      Depends on what they send back for Danny Granger. The Kings have some nice frontcourt pieces that could include a deal, but it would take a lot to get those salaries to match, and I can’t imagine Indy would want to take bad any bad contracts. Probably a nay on that idea.

      As for Jimmer, I think they would’ve traded him a year ago if there was a taker. But what can he do at the NBA level, really? Nobody really needs a guy like that, unless Jimmer can figure out how to be JJ Redick. Whatever happens, the Kings have too many mediocre guys fighting for minutes. They just need to find 7 really good players, fill up a rotation, and try to start winning some friggin’ games.

      I’ll also be glad when we know whether it’s going to be Sacramento or Seattle. Let’s end that soap opera soon, too, so we can all move on with our lives.

  15. Rogu

    Imagine Allen Iverson with let’s say Kobe’s worth ethic to this day, how would he be?

    • Joel Brigham

      It’s not that Iverson wasn’t really, really good, it’s just that he played so recklessly that he ended up pretty banged up. And with Kobe’s work ethic comes Kobe’s ego, which probably would’ve handled the end of Iverson’s NBA career the same Iverson did… not very graciously. Hard to hate on Ivo’s career considering how small he was. One of the most exciting players of his generation, for sure.

  16. Giovanni

    Your Predictions! Will the Cleveland Cavaliers get the Lakers Draft pick this year or will they be stuck w/Miamis pick?
    On HOOPSWORLD’s, 2013 Full NBA Mock Draft as of 3/10/13, Cavs take Nerlens Noel at pick 5 and if the Lakers do make the playoffs HOOPSWORLD has that pick falling to 15 which leaves Alex Poythress for the pickin’
    Do you think if the Cavs pick a big like Nerlens Noel with the first pick, is Alex Poythress a good pick w/Lakers pick?

    • Joel Brigham

      I don’t know that you’d want any part of that train wreck in Kentucky, let alone two parts of that train wreck in Kentucky, but obviously center and small forward are two areas the team is really going to need to address in the offseason, and those two guys at least fit that bill. If it’s 7 and 16, as the standings say it would be right now, I’d go with Otto Porter and James McAdoo… though Poythress, Isaiah Austin, and Trey Burke (who I’d consider trading, because that kid’s going to be a great pro) would all be possibilities, too.

  17. keo

    in a rcent interview Doc said PP has always been underrated and i agree.

    why do you think he is?

    • Joel Brigham

      Because he’s not particularly athletic or flashy. Those are the guys that get major attention, and since Paul Pierce doesn’t end up on hardly any highlight reels, we haven’t heard much about him over the years, despite the fact that he’s one of the best power forwards of his era.

  18. Joe D.

    Just wondering if you think the Knicks will make it to the playoffs with the required 7 uninjured players required to field a team? and if so .. can they make some noise? Also will Rasheed be back? He seems to be the anchor or at least the fire on their D..

    • Joel Brigham

      At this rate, that question is no joke. Injuries were always going to be a concern with a team that old, as I’ve been saying all year, even when they were off to that great start. I’m not buying into them as a serious Eastern Conference contender for a few reasons:

      1. They’re going to be missing some key guys.
      2. They didn’t look great even at full strength.
      3. Miami.

  19. UncleWes04

    Sup Joel,

    I’m a diehard Timberwolves fan and I’m finding it extremely hard to stay that way. Is there anyway to make the t-wolves better. I was thinking trading away derrick williams and a future pick to get a solid 3. I was leaning toward Mike Beasley seeing as how how hasn’t developed how he should. I think having him behind AK47 would do him wonders since AK is a veteran and still has game in him. Also do you think its possible to sign Al Jefferson in the offseason since we might lose Pekovic?

    • Joel Brigham

      There’s probably going to be a little bit of money to throw around, so that’s good news, at least. The bad news is that free agents aren’t typically tripping over each other to make their way to the Twin Cities. The even worse news is that I think we all know that Kevin Love is leaving in 2015, and that makes the future for this franchise even drearier. I won’t like, Uncle Wes, things don’t look pretty, and the moves your devising are lateral; they don’t make the team markedly better. It might be a slow year for you and your brethren, but just remember that you’re not as miserable as Cubs fans. It could always be worse.

      That’s my hour, folks! Thanks for all the great questions, and hopefully you’ll be back next week for more of the same. Enjoy March Madness, and may your brackets be fruitful.

      And maybe someday, if we’re very patient, Derrick Rose will play basketball.

      Have a great weekend, all.